Industrial Revolution In Hard Times

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In the novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens, there is a clear separation between the rich upper class, and The Hands, the poverty stricken lower class. There was a clear contrast between the rich and poor during the Industrial Revolution, which is captured in the novel by Dickens. The Industrial Revolution was a monumental advancement in English society, which resulted in higher quality and quantities of food, lower death rate, and a higher birth rate. During this time the Scientific Revolution also took place, leading to the Agricultural Revolution. There was new technology developed that helped to increase food production, and ultimately profit. Due to this monumental time in England, there was an explosion in the population as rural living
Dickens does a fantastic job displaying this point through the life of Stephen Blackpool. As if the working conditions were not already bad enough for the Hands, things got even worse when Stephen was shunned by his peers for embracing his morals and trying to earn an honest living. I believe Stephen is the quintessential example to prove that life worsened for the poor during the Industrial
“I coom home desp’rate. I coom home wi’out a hope, and mad wi’ thinking that when I said a word o’ complaint I was reckoned a onreasonable Hand.” (Dickens 66). This quote shows Stephen’s frustration towards his life at home. Unfortunately for Stephen, he falls for one of the Hands at the factory named Rachael. Divorce is not an option for Stephen, as that would require money and only the rich can afford such a service. This is more evidence pointing towards what the Industrial Revolution was like for those without money. Stephen Blackpool is a man with great morals and integrity, who cannot catch a break during this time. From the marriage he does not want to be in, but cannot get out of, to essentially being exiled from Coketown, Stephen is really left being in the

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