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Hard Times

ebook

First published in 1854, Hard Times is a profoundly moving, articulate and searing indictment of the life-reducing effects of the industrial revolution, and certain aspects of enlightenment thinking. Set in the fictional midlands mill-town of Coketown, the narrative centers on the industrialist, Mr Thomas Gradgrind, whose belief in scientific utilitarianism skews his world view and is a motive force, carrying the narrative towards farce and tragedy.

Gradgrind's no-nonsense abhorrence of 'fancy' extends to his implementing an ambitious education scheme that aims to exclude all 'nonsense' and keep the minds of young people focused squarely on facts.

The book is ultimately an argument in favor of fancy and radical thinking, and a damning critique of industrial capitalism and its exploitation and repression of the workers whose lives were spent (literally) in sustaining the system.


Expand title description text
Publisher: Duke Classics

OverDrive Read

  • ISBN: 9781620111789
  • Release date: February 20, 2012

EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9781620111789
  • File size: 501 KB
  • Release date: February 20, 2012

Open EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9781620111789
  • File size: 495 KB
  • Release date: February 20, 2012

Formats

OverDrive Read
EPUB ebook
Open EPUB ebook

Languages

English

Levels

Lexile® Measure:1060
Text Difficulty:6-9

First published in 1854, Hard Times is a profoundly moving, articulate and searing indictment of the life-reducing effects of the industrial revolution, and certain aspects of enlightenment thinking. Set in the fictional midlands mill-town of Coketown, the narrative centers on the industrialist, Mr Thomas Gradgrind, whose belief in scientific utilitarianism skews his world view and is a motive force, carrying the narrative towards farce and tragedy.

Gradgrind's no-nonsense abhorrence of 'fancy' extends to his implementing an ambitious education scheme that aims to exclude all 'nonsense' and keep the minds of young people focused squarely on facts.

The book is ultimately an argument in favor of fancy and radical thinking, and a damning critique of industrial capitalism and its exploitation and repression of the workers whose lives were spent (literally) in sustaining the system.


Expand title description text
  • Details

    Publisher:
    Duke Classics

    OverDrive Read
    ISBN: 9781620111789
    Release date: February 20, 2012

    EPUB ebook
    ISBN: 9781620111789
    File size: 501 KB
    Release date: February 20, 2012

    Open EPUB ebook
    ISBN: 9781620111789
    File size: 495 KB
    Release date: February 20, 2012

  • Creators
  • Formats
    OverDrive Read
    EPUB ebook
    Open EPUB ebook
  • Languages
    English
  • Levels
    Lexile® Measure: 1060
    Text Difficulty: 6-9