I.

Biography of the Author: Charles Dickens (1812-1870), probably the best-known and, too many people, the greatest English novelist of the 19th century. A moralist, satirist, and social reformer, Dickens crafted complex plots and striking characters that capture the panorama of English society. Dickenss novels criticize the injustices of his time, especially the brutal treatment of the poor in a society sharply divided by differences of wealth. But he presents this criticism through the lives of characters that seem to live and breathe. Yet though these characters range through the sentimental, grotesque, and humorous, few authors match Dickenss psychological realism and depth. Dickenss novels rank among the funniest and most gripping ever written, among the most passionate and persuasive on the topic of social justice, and among the most psychologically telling and insightful works of fiction. They are also some of the most masterful works in terms of artistic form, including narrative structure, repeated motifs, consistent imagery, and juxtaposition of symbols, stylization of characters and settings, and command of language.

II. Setting: A. Time: 1854 B. Place: Coketown III. Characters: A. Protagonists: Louisa the oldest daughter of Thomas Gradgrind. Thomas Gradgrind a Coketown citizen. Josiah Bounderby an old manufacturer. B. Antagonists: Tom son of Thomas Gradgrind who is weakprincipled son James Harthouse a politician friend of Josiah Bounderby. Stephen Blackpool an innocent laborer. IV. Classification: Non Fiction; novel

V. Synopsis: A practical-minded citizen of Coketown, Thomas Gradgrind induces his daughter Louisa to marry old banker-manufacturer, Josiah Bounderby. She consents in order to obtain promotions for her brother Tom who works as a clerk in Bounderbys office. As a wife of Josiah Bounderby, Louisa meets James Harthouse, a politician friend of her husband who tries to entice her way from Bounderby. To escape James attention, Louisa goes home to her father. This leads to misunderstandings and separation of Louisa and Josiah. Her father discovers that his dream of giving Louisa secure life through marriage with a rich old man hasnt worked out well, so he shelters his daughter from Bounderby. Embarrassment comes around because Tom steals money from Bounderbys bank. Tom tries to throw suspicion on Stephen Blackpool. Later Tom is finally detected and hustled out of the country. Bounderby died and Louisa repairs her broken life by marrying for the second time a man who has shown her affection and understanding.

VI. Plot: A. Introduction: A practical-minded citizen of Coketown, Thomas Gradgrind induces his daughter Louisa to marry old banker-manufacturer, Josiah Bounderby. She consents in order to obtain promotions for her brother Tom who works as a clerk in Bounderbys office. B. Rising Action: Louisa meets James Harthouse, a politician friend of her husband who tries to entice her way from Bounderby. C. Climax: To escape James attention, Louisa goes home to her father. This leads to misunderstandings and separation of Louisa and Josiah. D. Falling Action: Louisas father discovers that his dream of giving Louisa secure life through marriage with a rich old man hasnt worked out well, so he shelters his daughter from Bounderby.

E. Conclusion: Bounderby died and Louisa repairs her broken life by marrying for the second time a man who has shown her affection and understanding. VII. Point of View: Third person point of view. VIII. Vocabulary Induce - persuade, encourage, tempt, make, bring, talk into, prevail upon, convince, Consent - agree: to agree to do something. Entice - tempt, induce, seduce. To make a person do something by offering something desirable. IX. Reaction: The story teaches us a moral lesson that parents should not think that wealth alone will make happy marriages for their children. The best thing to do is to marry one who can give you joy, contentment and love.

Hard Times
Charles Dickens

Book Report no. 2 In partial fulfillment of the requirements in English III

Prepared by: 36

Judea S. Tomajin III Gold

Submitted to:

Mrs. Cyril B. Flores February 02, 2010