Description
Discover the timeless classic, 'Hard Times' by Charles Dickens, in this beautifully crafted Penguin English Library Edition. This B-format paperback, published in 2012 by Penguin UK, spans 358 pages of thought-provoking literature that critiques Victorian society and the relentless pursuit of factual knowledge over emotional intelligence. Dickens presents a vivid portrayal of Coketown, a city defined by industrial progress and the stark realities of utilitarianism, through the eyes of Mr. Thomas Gradgrind, an advocate for factual education. His stringent approach to learning shapes the lives of his children, Louisa and Tom, leading them into tumultuous personal struggles. Louisa’s loveless marriage to the mercantile Mr. Bounderby and Tom’s descent into crime illustrate the dire consequences of neglecting the human spirit. The introduction of Sissy Jupe, a symbol of imagination and compassion, serves to balance the cold, hard facts that Gradgrind so fervently upholds. 'Hard Times' not only explores the tensions between humanity and industry but also challenges readers to reflect on the essence of life beyond mere facts. This edition is perfect for both avid readers and those looking to engage with classical literature that remains relevant today. Available in brand new condition, this must-have book invites you to delve into a narrative that questions the values we hold dear in modern society. Enjoy hassle-free shipping to your door, ensuring that this literary classic can become a part of your collection in no time.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780141199566
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2012
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 358
Description:
The Penguin English Library Edition of Hard Times by Charles Dickens
'Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else'
Coketown is dominated by the figure of Mr Thomas Gradgrind, school owner and model of Utilitarian success. Feeding both his pupils and his family with facts, he bans fancy and wonder from young minds. As a consequence his obedient daughter Louisa marries the loveless businessman and 'bully of humility' Mr Bounderby, and his son Tom rebels to become embroiled in gambling and robbery. And, as their fortunes cross with those of free-spirited circus girl Sissy Jupe and victimised weaver Stephen Blackpool, Gradgrind is eventually forced to recognise the value of the human heart in an age of materialism and machinery.
The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in the English language, from the eighteenth century and the first novels to the beginning of the First World War.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780141199566
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2012
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 358
Description:
The Penguin English Library Edition of Hard Times by Charles Dickens
'Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else'
Coketown is dominated by the figure of Mr Thomas Gradgrind, school owner and model of Utilitarian success. Feeding both his pupils and his family with facts, he bans fancy and wonder from young minds. As a consequence his obedient daughter Louisa marries the loveless businessman and 'bully of humility' Mr Bounderby, and his son Tom rebels to become embroiled in gambling and robbery. And, as their fortunes cross with those of free-spirited circus girl Sissy Jupe and victimised weaver Stephen Blackpool, Gradgrind is eventually forced to recognise the value of the human heart in an age of materialism and machinery.
The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in the English language, from the eighteenth century and the first novels to the beginning of the First World War.