50 pages 1 hour read

Charles Dickens

Hard Times

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1854

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book 2, Chapters 1-6

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 2, Chapter 1 Summary: “Effects in the Bank”

Mrs. Sparsit sits in her apartment at Bounderby’s bank. She talks to Bitzer, who has graduated from school and works as a porter at the bank. She complains about the town’s workers coming together in “class combinations.” They talk about Tom, who Bitzer says is a “dissipated, extravagant idler” (103). Their discussion is interrupted by a knock on the door. A well-dressed young man enters, explaining that he has arrived in Coketown at the behest of Mr. Gradgrind to enter politics. Mrs. Sparsit is impressed by the young man’s eloquence and “excessive gentility.” The young man’s only concern is Louisa Bounderby, as he has assumed that she must be an “absolutely unapproachable” middle-aged woman. Mrs. Sparsit assures him that he’s mistaken. The young man is relieved.

Book 2, Chapter 2 Summary: “Mr. James Harthouse”

The well-dressed young gentleman is James Harthouse, a man afflicted with perpetual boredom. After “he got bored” (108) in every other profession, he hopes that Gradgrind and politics will stimulate his mind. He has been sent to Coketown to familiarize himself with the city’s political situation. While he doesn’t agree with Gradgrind’s philosophy, he’s willing to adopt it as he explores the world of politics. Harthouse is invited to Bounderby’s for dinner. During the meal, he’s struck by the young and “utterly indifferent” Louisa.

Related Titles

By Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Barnaby Rudge

Charles Dickens

Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Bleak House

Charles Dickens

Bleak House

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

David Copperfield

Charles Dickens

David Copperfield

Charles Dickens

Plot Summary

logo

Dombey and Son

Charles Dickens

Dombey and Son

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Little Dorrit

Charles Dickens

Little Dorrit

Charles Dickens

Plot Summary

logo

Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Nicholas Nickleby

Charles Dickens

Nicholas Nickleby

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Our Mutual Friend

Charles Dickens

Our Mutual Friend

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens

Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Charles Dickens

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

The Old Curiosity Shop

Charles Dickens

The Old Curiosity Shop

Charles Dickens

Study Guide

logo

The Signal-Man

Charles Dickens

The Signal-Man

Charles Dickens