For this edition of the Norton Critical Edition of "Hard Times" the text has been considerably improved by the addition of new explanatory notes and marginal line numbers for easy reference. The textual notes and Dickens' working plans have also been revised. The backgrounds, sources and contemporary reactions section introduces two new pieces by Dickens, one on education and one on utilitarianism, and eight new essays are offered in the criticism section. These include an essay by David Lodge on the problems of structuralism in the novel, Roger Fowler's examination of the characters' speech patterns, Juliet McMaster's interpretation of Dickens' use of colour imagery and George Ford's essay on the problems of adapting the novel for television.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"'Tis a muddle",
By ninjasuperstar (Iowa) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hard Times: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Sources, and Contemporary Reactions, Criticism (Norton Critical Edition) (Paperback)
Or so says Stephen Blackpool. Like many of the Hands (factory workers), Stephen Blackpool feels stuck in a life of mediocrity. He and others like him are trampled by the Mr. Gradgrinds and Mr. Bounderbys of the world...Hard Times is Dickens' critique of just how evil capitalism is at its heart. Before modifications of capitalism (like sexual harassment laws, child labor laws, civil rights, the 40-hour work week), commercial life, especially factory work, was dangerous to not only the body, but the mind (some would argue that this still is the case). And when someone wants out of that life, it isn't always as easy as walking away. Dickens also criticizes the Gradgrind philosophy of Fact, Fact, Fact! There is no pleasure found in Fancy or imagination according to Mr. Gradgrind, and Gradgrind drills this into his students and children. The results of his philosophy do not surface right away. However, soon his daughter lapses into indifference, his son rebels and becomes a selfish thief, and a student of Gradgrind's (Bitzer) shows the coldness of Fact, Fact, Fact. The symbolism is often blatant and comical (such as the name of one teacher, Mr. M'ChoakumChilde), but there is also some very disturbing criticism (reality will take a "wolfish turn, and make an end of you") that still gives me the chills. Also, there is a mass of scholarly criticism that rivals the novel in length, a very nice addition. This is truly one of Dickens' great works. It is just as powerful as "A Tale of Two Cities."
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Version of a Classic,
This review is from: Hard Times: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Sources, and Contemporary Reactions, Criticism (Norton Critical Edition) (Paperback)
These comments refer to the Norton Critical Editions version of Hard Times edited by Monod and Kaplan. Hard Times was originally published in instalments in Dickens' periodical Household Words in 1854.
This well-known Dickens' satire criticises utilitarianism as advocated by the likes of Mills and Bentham. In part due to its publishing format, Hard Times is somewhat less verbose that other Dickens' work. I see this as a strength - opinions differ. From my perspective, what makes the Norton Critical Addition especially worthwhile is the contextual information supplied in the second part of the text regarding 19th century British political, philosophical and economic thought. I recommend the Norton Critical Addition to anyone looking for a good version of this classic.
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