A timely text that highlights the importance of humanity over the materialistic nature of society. Students will be engaged with a text that causes them to pause and wrestle with their own way of living and thinking as they find characters to identify with. This edition includes an introduction, Charles Working Notes in the appendix, and end notes, as well as a chronology of Charles Dicken’s life. A great classic for high school students to add good literature to their English studies. 321 pgs, pb. ~Rebecca
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 young 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 victimized weaver Stephen Blackpool, Gradgrind is eventually forced to recognize the value of the human heart in an age of materialism and machinery.
I needed something to supplement our history lessons. Keeps little hands busy while I read the lesson.