Hard Times पीडीएफ चार्ल्स डिकेन्स
Charles Dickens declared, "My satire is against those who see figures and averages, and nothing else," providing insight into the theme of his classic novel. Originally published in 1854, the narrative revolves around Thomas Gradgrind, a staunch advocate of demonstrable facts, who raises his children, Tom and Louisa, in an environment dominated by austere practicality.
Devoid of a moral compass, the children succumb to lives of desperation and hopelessness against the backdrop of Coketown, a dismal community overshadowed by industrial dominance. Louisa enters into a loveless union with the vulgar banker Josiah Bouderby, while Tom, lacking any ethical principles, turns to a life of crime, framing an innocent man. Witnessing the tragic decline of his children, Gradgrind realizes that his misguided principles have led to their ruin.
Considered Dickens' sternest critique of mid-19th-century industrial practices and their dehumanizing impact, the novel presents a captivating portrayal of Victorian life. It is characterized by rich detail, vibrant characterization, and a fervent social conscience, reflecting Dickens' finest literary creations. John Ruskin, a prominent Victorian critic, praised Dickens, stating, "He is entirely right in his main drift and purpose in every book he has written, and all of them, but especially Hard Times, should be studied with close and earnest care by persons interested in social questions."