Hard Times

Set in the industrial town of Coketown, the narrative explores the struggles of its inhabitants against the backdrop of utilitarianism and the harsh realities of the Victorian era. The story follows characters like Thomas Gradgrind, a strict education advocate, and Stephen Blackpool, a factory worker facing personal and societal challenges. Themes of social injustice, the importance of imagination, and the critique of industrialization are woven throughout, making it a poignant reflection on human experience and moral values.