Hard Times

Set against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, this novel explores the struggles of individuals in a society driven by utilitarianism. Through the lives of characters like Thomas Gradgrind and Stephen Blackpool, the narrative critiques the dehumanizing effects of a rigid education system and the harsh realities of working-class life. Themes of social injustice, personal morality, and the importance of imagination versus cold facts are woven throughout, offering a poignant commentary on the era's socio-economic challenges.