Topic 1

Describe the role of women in Hard Times. What societal expectations are presented in the novel? How do the novel’s characters fit into the literary complex of Madonna / whore? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Topic 2

What message is Dickens sending to his readers about societal inequality through this text? How does Dickens’ message shift and change with the plot? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Topic 3

Describe Bounderby’s story of becoming a self-made man. How does Bounderby’s “childhood” affect his views of the working poor? How does Bounderby’s life change when the truth of his parentage is finally revealed? What message does this send the to the reader? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Topic 4

Most of the characters in...