Summary

Blackpool is summoned to Bounderby’s office. Bounderby has heard about the workers’ plans to unionize, and he attempts to hire Blackpool as his spy. Unwilling to turn against his comrades – despite the fact that they have just turned against him – Blackpool dismisses Bounderby’s request. He says that he has not rejected the union out of loyalty to Bounderby, but because he made a promise, and he also attempts to educate Bounderby about the grievances he feels should be amended in the factories. Outraged, Bounderby angrily fires Blackpool and dismisses him at once. Ironically, now that Blackpool does not have a union to protect him, he must leave Coketown in search of other work. He leaves Bounderby’s office saying, “Heaven help us in this world.”

Back home, Stephen meets up with Rachael and the old woman he met outside Bounderby’s office a few...