SOURCE: "The Meaning of Dickens," in Charles Dickens, Twayne Publishers, 1981, pp. 190-209.

In the following excerpt, Nelson cites Hard Times and incidents in its plot in the course of illustrating the importance of life's mystery and diversity as presented in Dicken's works.

Though there is little of nature in Dickens, . . . mere is a significant touch in that description of Bleak House: the "still older cottage-rooms in unexpected places, with lattice windows and green growth pressing through them" imply an original and intimate connection with nature, and the irregularity of the house makes it seem a living organism which has developed a form answering to the setting and the needs of the people of the house. Human order, when it is wrong, is quite unlike this. Thomas Gradgrind's house in Hard Times is "a very regular feature on the face of the country":

Not the least disguise toned down...