Summary of Hard Times

Hard Times by Charles Dickens follows a man named Thomas Gradgrind whose idealistic utilitarianism crumbles as his family is wracked by disaster. The novel follows all of the members of Gradgrind's family as they face his idealized belief system and contend with personal tragedies. Gradgrind’s eldest daughter Louisa marries a shady businessman and descends into a secret life of unhappiness and deception. His son Tom sinks into criminality and transforms from a law-abiding, responsible man into a rogue of the utmost bad faith. Gradgrind is left questioning his own rigid ideas as his family is exposed to chaos in contrast to his teachings. The novel also introduces many colorful characters, from a hot-headed circusman to a sincere schoolmaster, as they all cope with a baffling and cruel world. In the end, Gradgrind faces the cost of his own inflexibility and is redeemed by his son’s ultimate act of contrition.