Hard Times was first published as a serial in Charles Dickens’s weekly periodical Household Words in 37 chapters, which appeared over twenty weeks from 1 April 1854 to 12 August 1854. A complete volume was published in August. The novel was divided into three parts, ‘Sowing‘ (16 chapters), ‘Reaping‘ (12 chapters) and ‘Garnering‘ (9 chapters).

You can read all of the Charles Dickens novel Hard Times at The Circumlocution Office. Use the chapter links below to access that particular chapter. We have included some prominent quotations from our archive of quotations from the novel.

Book 1: Sowing.

CHAPTER 1. THE ONE THING NEEDFUL.

Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life.

Hard Times (Bk.1, Ch.1). Teacher Thomas Gradgrind is demanding of his pupils.

CHAPTER 2. MURDERING THE INNOCENTS.

A man of realities.  A man of facts and calculations.  A man who proceeds upon the principle that two and two are four, and nothing over, and who is not to be talked into allowing for anything over.

Hard Times (Bk.1, Ch.2). Description of Thomas Gradgrind.

CHAPTER 3. A LOOPHOLE.

CHAPTER 4. MR. BOUNDERBY.

A man made out of a coarse material, which seemed to have been stretched to make so much of him.

Hard Times (Bk.1, Ch. 4). Description of the uncaring businessman Josiah Bounderby.

CHAPTER 5. THE KEYNOTE.

The piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness.

Hard Times (Bk.1, Ch.5). The machines of Coketown bob up and down repetitively.

CHAPTER 6. SLEARY’S HORSEMANSHIP.

CHAPTER 7. MRS. SPARSIT.

CHAPTER 8. NEVER WONDER.

CHAPTER 9. SISSY’S PROGRESS.

CHAPTER 10. STEPHEN BLACKPOOL.

A creature so foul to look at, in her tatters, stains and splashes, but so much fouler than that in her moral infamy, that it was a shameful thing even to see her.

Hard Times (Bk.1, Ch.10). Description of the estranged alcoholic wife of Stephen Blackpool.

CHAPTER 11. NO WAY OUT.

CHAPTER 12. THE OLD WOMAN.

CHAPTER 13. RACHAEL.

Thou changest me from bad to good.

Hard Times (Bk.1, Ch.13). Stephen Blackpool confides in co-worker and close friend Rachael.

CHAPTER 14. THE GREAT MANUFACTURER.

CHAPTER 15. FATHER AND DAUGHTER.

CHAPTER 16. HUSBAND AND WIFE.