Hard Times
Honestly, I picked this book next, because it’s the shortest of the Dickens I have purchased for the project. Little Dorrit and Bleak House are long books.
Book the First | Sowing
Chapter One: The One Needful Thing
Hah, you’ve got my attention Dickens. Tell me what you believe are the facts, sir.
Chapter Two: Murdering the Innocents
I see this is going to be a moral fairytale. I hope there weren’t school masters like this during the industrial revolution. Dickens definitely has me. I’m eager to see where this story is going. This is clearly a story about “fact” versus imagination.
Wow. We can tell Mr. Gradgrind doesn’t like his neighbors. He’s playing off indifferent, but the way Dickens reprises the images of horses and flowers from the previous chapter leads me to think he feels otherwise. It’s no surprise he finds his children there. They’re bound to wonder … just as I wonder about Mr. Bounderby. I wonder what he DOES think, and I hope it’s not as solemn as Mr. Gradgrind suggests.
Also, Sissy Jupe … Signor Jupe … father and daughter?
Not only is Mr. Bounderby not nice; he is also creeptastic.
The sad part is, out of these two Mr. Bounderby seems to be the leader. Mr. Gradgrind is very much a sycophant to him. I think they’re both in for a wild ride though. We’re about to meet Signor Jupe!
Chapter Six: Sleary’s Horsemanship
It’s a shame Sleary isn’t going to be in the whole book. It’s sad that Sissy’s father ran away “for her own good.” I’m interested in seeing what happens to Sissy–especially considering it’s the name of a very important character in OUR stories. The only difference being Dickens’ Sissy is short for Cecilia, our Sissy is short for Carissa. I’m wondering Dickens, what exactly does Sissy have waiting for her at this dreadful school she’s now tied to?
This chapter makes it seem like a female version of “Great Expectations.” I’d also put this book on the shelf right next to Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. What Dickens is talking about in this book, trying to kill imagination, definitely something I identify with, and enjoy reading about. I’m being inspired by Dickens now. I have an idea. I must throw it by Rhiannon! That, and keep reading …
I’m frowning, but I’m smiling at the same time, because I know Dickens is only setting us up emotionally. Must. Keep. Reading.
Chapter Nine: Sissy’s Progress
I feel so sad for Sissy, and I wonder what Louisa is going to do with this information. Clearly she is effected by Sissy’s imagination, and the way she recounts the events of her life up to this point. It’s not all fact. There is emotion, heart, love in the whole of it. This probably won’t end well for either of them. I wonder which side Tom (the younger) will choose? Oh, wait, I’m not supposed to wonder.
Chapter Ten: Stephen Blackpool
Holy moly, Dickens. You managed to inspire me in two directions with that chapter, once for the Taftkan Materials and once for the Dickens Project. You, sir, are a genius. You also managed to surprise me at the end of this chapter. Not only did I love the awkward relationship Blackpool has with Rachael, but who in the world was that alcoholic woman that so overpowered him in the end? And does this tie into the rest of the plot?
The drunk woman is Blackpool’s wife, and he’s gone to Bounderby looking for information on how to divorce her. Alas, there seems to be no hope–without a TON of money–for Stephen and Rachael to ever have a chance to be together. Although, I’m not sure Rachael WANTS to be with Stephen. Unless she was just being distant for propriety’s sake. It does seem like he’s reading into her words where there is nothing to read into … Dickens has said as much.
That was surely Bounderby’s mother who walked with Blackpool back to the mill. Dickens is going to make it so I don’t get any sleep tonight I see.
That was an unexpected turn of events. Lots of interesting dreaming going on here. I like it.
Chapter Fourteen: The Great Manufacturer
Oh. My. God. Louisa is going to marry Bounderby? What!
Chapter Fifteen: Father and Daughter
Come on Louisa! I thought you were making a turn around. You know, rebelling against your father and his messed up way of teaching you guys. You were starting to get an imagination. It leaked out everywhere in this chapter. Don’t ignore or mistreat Sissy. It’s not right. She doesn’t understand why you’d do such a thing as marry Mr. Bounderby. Neither do I, for that matter. I get it; I understand the logic behind it. It’s just that … he’s such a jerk, and that DOES matter.
Chapter Sixteen: Husband and Wife
I’d have to disagree with you, Tom. Yes, things could, indeed, be jollier. Loo has made the biggest mistake of her life, and now we reap the benefits in this beautifully told story. Dickens, I can almost hear you whispering in my ear … the way you write.
Book the Second | Reaping
Chapter One: Effects in the Bank
I couldn’t find a clear definition of the word coriolanian online. The closest I could find was on Dictionary.Com and it was Coriolanus, who was a “Roman military hero” from b. c. huz-buh-chungle … Also a play by Shakespeare.
So, who was that Mrs. Sparsit just saw? Was it a good idea to give him Mr. Bounderby’s address? Was he really sent by Mr. Gradgrind, and why was Mrs. Sparsit perturbed after he left?
Chapter Two: Mr. James Harthouse
He’s a rich kid who is looking for a place in the world? That’s what I got out of the chapter.
Well, it is clear that Dickens doesn’t like how Tom has turned out. Jaded, in a way. He thinks he’s discovered life, but Dickens describes him as a very unhappy person because of his breeding.
I have to say, I am liking Dickens in a way I never expected. Usually “classics” have a certain feel when I read them. Sometimes I have to be in a specific mood to “read up,” but the way Dickens writes … I can see everything. It’s like reading something that was published this year. I totally recommend this book already!
Chapter Four: Men and Brothers
What in the world did Stephen Blackpool do? Did I miss something? They said something about him not following regulations, and it sounded like he was late for work a few times–maybe everyday–but that would be because of his wife and also why he doesn’t want to talk about it at the assembly. What could Mr. Bounderby want with him as well?
Poor Stephen! What’s with this sudden turn of events Dickens? I didn’t see this coming! These chapters must have thrown your readers for a loop when they first read them in 1854. It’s been a while since we heard about Blackpool, and all-of-a-sudden he is blacklisted.
And there goes Stephen. I don’t remember Louisa telling him not to join the union. This was all … so sudden. I wonder if we’re going to see him again. Dickens has a knack for cutting things short and tragic. Alas, this also makes his happier endings all the more worthwhile.
What, exactly, is Harthouse up to? It can’t be good. It seems like he’s playing with Lousia and Tom, but why? What is his angle?
Tom BETTER not let Stephen take the fall for the bank robbery. It was Tom that did it, it HAS to be … and I bet Harthouse has something to do with it.
Chapter Nine: Hearing the Last of It
Awe! It was IMAGINATION Mrs. Gradgrind! That’s what Mr. Gradgrind forgot to teach his kids! Oh, this chapter was sad. I am glad to see Sissy again, though. And I’m happy to see that she’s had some impact on the youngest Gradgrind.
Chapter Ten: Mrs. Sparsit’s Staircase
Mrs. Sparsit is trying to topple Louisa. Well, we knew Mrs. Sparsit felt slighted by Louisa’s marrying Mr. Bounderby … and I half expected this, but EVERYTHING seems to be working against the Gradgrind kids. I surmise Dickens is trying to tell us that less the imagination, human existence is hellish.
Chapter Eleven: Lower and Lower
Clearly Mrs. Sparsit has an imagination. She’s not using it for GOOD right now though! It’s almost like she’s working a spell. Single-minded to her “task” of seeing Louisa fall from Mr. Bounderby’s good graces. It has been established that divorce is a possibility for those well endowed within this story. Having Louisa take her place must have been the straw that broke Mrs. Sparsit’s back.
Louisa didn’t ACTUALLY do anything but accept Bounderby’s proposal. It’s not like she was TRYING to cheese Mrs. Sparsit off. It is stupid–yet strikingly human–that Louisa is having an affair with Harthouse. However, I’m not entirely convinced she’s not just being USED by him. I’m pretty sure he’s manipulating Tom too. What’s with this guy?
Now THAT was completely unexpected. Of all the places I expected her to go, it wasn’t home. I’m glad to see Mr. Gradgrind was finally saved from his own mind.
Book the Third | Garnering
Chapter One: Another Thing Needful
Sissy is definitely going to be some sort of hero in this book. She’s going to help set Louisa right. Maybe she’ll make ALL of the Gradgrinds happy.
Hrm. Well, go Sissy for getting rid of Harthouse. Though, I’m not sure he’s gone for good in the book. He deserves to feel the way he feels, I think. I’m still suspicious about him. He’s GOT to have something to do with Tom and the robbery at the bank.
I’m not TOO sad about this. Louisa never would have been happy with Bounderby … even if she COULD be with Harthouse. Not that I want her to be, with what I think went down. Mrs. Sparsit finally got some of her own back. She jumped to entirely the wrong conclusion when she lost Louisa. The plan backfired. I guess it could have gone worse though. Bounderby could have fired her as well.
Okay, so Stephen Blackpool is coming back. Will he and Rachel EVER end up together? Louisa just helped clear his name, but he’s still got to show himself. Was it Tom after all who committed the crime? Will he ever confess it?
That’s interesting. I mean, I guessed that was Bounderby’s mother, but I was thrown off when he said his parents were dead and he was brought up by a evil, drunken grandmother. It’s hilarious that Bounderby got caught in the huge lie … and sad that he’s blocked out his mother from his life. I think this might be the end of Mrs. Sparsit though.
*BIG frown* Stephen Blackpool fell through a pit in the ground and died holding Rachel’s hand. He knew it was Tom, or at least he suspected. Louisa and Sissy suspect. Come on Tom, don’t bury and innocent man with your lie. It’s not right.
All that just to end the chapter with Tom getting caught after all. Dickens seems to have been up on the old tricks of modern writers. Suspense is his best friend. Especially in this book. I was happy to see Sleary again, but sometimes it’s hard to read his dialogue.
Okay, so Tom gets away. I don’t know if I like Tom getting away. He DESERVED to be caught … especially after what ended up happening to Blackpool. Poor Rachel. Dickens seems to have let Tom off the hook due to the way he was brought up. I heartily disagree with that choice.
This may be an insight into the morals of the English during the Industrial Revolution. Tom is pardoned by Dickens because of his upbringing, therefore on the side of nurturing rather than nature for the source of your character in life. If you consider Ebenezer Scrooge, you can come to the same conclusion with the shadows of his past.
Sleary was a good man for doing what he did for Tom and the Gradgrinds though. It’s sad that Sissy never reunites with her father in the story, but we know he still lives … Sleary’s seeing the dog indicates the possibility. Maybe it would come in the future.
Haha! I never DIS-liked Mrs. Sparsit, but she did get what she was asking for. All that determination to topple Louisa … it wasn’t right. It’s funny, because if she’d just had patience, Louisa would have made everything better on her own, and Mrs. Sparsit could have resumed her old place in Mr. Bounderby’s home. Alas, she put her foot in her mouth one too many times, and it was her undoing.
I’m glad Sissy had kids, and Louisa became like a loving aunt to them. Tom got WAY better than he deserved, and Mr. Bounderby never changed ’til the day he died. Not surprising.
This was a great choice for my first full length Dickens in this project. I heartily recommend it. Of course, I’ll probably recommend many Dickens-es this year! The story was a lot simpler than I thought it might be. I was looking for things in many places–and some of those things Dickens honestly says will never be explained. That’s my problem with Dickens. I love him to death, but I hate it when he says something, but never explains it or follows through with it. At least he acknowledges it though. It’s not like he forgot about it, and just left it unfinished. It’s very real, the things in life that never get explained, but this is a novel, by god, and it SHOULD be explained. Haha. Okay, I’m going to end this final rant here and post this baby. I really did enjoy the book!
Tags: Books, Genre: Classics
The Dickens Project, Thoughts on Books | Joey | 
10 February 2010 6:38 AM | 
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