Thomas Gradgrind destroys the spiritual and emotional lives of his children by denying the importance of human feelings Dickens's widely read satirical account of the Industrial Revolution. Dickens creates the Victorian industrial city of Coketown, in northern England, and its unforgettable citizens, such as the unwavering utilitarian Thomas Gradgrind and the factory owner Josiah Bounderby, and the result is his famous critique of capitalist philosophy, the exploitative force he believed was destroying human creativity and joy. This edition includes new notes to the text. Biographical Note v Introduction: Dickens as Seer xi Jane Jacobs BOOK THE FIRST SOWING The One Thing Needful 3(2) Murdering the Innocents 5(7) A Loophole 12(6) Mr. Bounderby 18(8) The Key-Note 26(7) Sleary's Horsemanship 33(15) Mrs. Sparsit 48(8) Never Wonder 56(7) Sissy's Progress 63(9) Stephen Blackpool 72(6) No Way Out 78(8) The Old Woman 86(6) Rachael 92(9) The Great Manufacturer 101(6) Father and Daughter 107(8) Husband and Wife 115(8) BOOK THE SECOND REAPING Effects in the Bank 123(15) Mr. James Harthouse 138(9) The Whelp 147(6) Men and Brothers 153(9) Men and Masters 162(8) Fading Away 170(13) Gunpowder 183(14) Explosion 197(14) Hearing the Last of It 211(9) Mrs. Sparsit's Staircase 220(5) Lower and Lower 225(10) Down 235(8) BOOK THE THIRD GARNERING Another Thing Needful 243(7) Very Ridiculous 250(10) Very Decided 260(10) Lost 270(10) Found 280(10) The Starlight 290(11) Whelp-Hunting 301(12) Philosophical 313(7) Final 320(7) Notes 327(8) Note on the Text 335(2) Reading Group Guide 337