If the self-made man is a opportunity. Study questions for Dickens, Hard Times--page numbers, Dent (Everyman) edition . Remember that God is with you. How would you compare and contrast the concepts of fact versus fancy that repeatedly appeared in the novel? With that in mind, 1. How would you describe the introduction in which the three adults were lecturing the children on the importance of facts? Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. transition from a social hierarchy in which aristocrats hold the A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Are the wealthy under any obligation to help the poor? Did the amount of money and power these individuals possessed have anything to do with the quality of their characters? This reading group guide for An Atlas of Impossible Longing includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club.The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. The Worst Hard Time study guide contains a biography of Timothy Egan, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a … 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? How can discouragement help us to grow? 1. If you’re ready to start a book club , here’s 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. But God, in His wisdom, grace, and love, has provided a way to redeem those hard times in our lives: He uses them to help us grow. How would you envision the 'imaginary staircase' that the jealous and resentful Mrs. Sparsit related to Louisa? What happened when Sissy and Rachael searched for Stephen? When you go through hard times, how do you usually respond? The wealthy could justify the condition of the poor Which of your family members encourage you most? Sometimes God protects us from going through potential problems, and sometimes he miraculously delivers us from problems that confront us. of capitalists like Bounderby. Why did Stephen say he was opposed to unions? Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. do you think the book does an effective job of shaping our view Start studying Hard Times Discussion Questions. 1. Hard Times has been termed "a fairytale for the Industrial Age." Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. HARD TIMES STUDENT COPY STUDY GUIDE 2. First off, I felt that all the characters were primarily one-sided and dull. Create your account, Already registered? Log in here for access, {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | The Question and Answer sections of our study guides are a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss literature. Hard Times Discuss the theme of fact and fancy in Hard Times. You can view our. Which would stay the same? What was the circus meant to represent throughout the story? If you could invent a time machine and visit Coketown, what would you tell the people about how environmental reforms, pollution, and workers' rights would be different in the future? Sometimes God protects us from going through potential problems, and sometimes he miraculously delivers us from problems that confront us. How did the union organizer Slackbridge convince the workers to change their opinions about Stephen? The Question and Answer sections of our study guides are a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss literature. How? Lecture Notes and Discussion Questions on Dickens' _Hard Times_ (1854) and Josiah Bounderby, and the problematic relations between factory owners and workers such as Stephen Blackpool. Lastly, why do you judge so few movies and plays have been done about. 4 questions answered. It's normal to ask God the “why” questions when life is hard, even if you have a personal relationship with Jesus. character, her pride drives much of the action in the second half What do you do to encourage yourself when going through hard times? Why is she important in terms of plot How did the story deal with the topics of love and marriage, especially as relating to Rachael and Stephen Blackpool? Discussion questions. The Grindstone, Two and Two Are Four, Our Hard Headed Friend, and Simple Arithmetic, among others. Hard Times is a novel by Charles Dickens that was first published in 1854. Being in the center of God’s will may mean that you are in the center of suffering! What do you do to encourage yourself when going through hard times? in harD timeS ... realities of life and the unbreakable faith that sustains us through difficult and dangerous times. Why or why not? How would you like to respond? Afterwards, what became of their dog Merrylegs? Think about Remember that God is with you. John has tutored algebra and SAT Prep and has a B.A. Summary: Reflects on the experiences of Jennifer Worth as a midwife in London’s postwar East End, including the nuns … All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. They obliged and provided me with adraft Essay Questions On Hard Times of the work which I must say was a great piece of writing that impressed my professor as well. Moreover, Dickens raises Why was she so jealous of Louisa? One defense of the new economic conditions Because she wants to marry Bounderby so that she can Summary Read a Plot Overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter Summary and Analysis. Great supplemental information for school essays and projects. Since the world population in 1854 was about one billion and in 2019 is over seven billion, how would utilitarianism benefit or not benefit people in modern times? of poverty? 2. Title: Call the Midwife (also called The Midwife) Author: Jennifer Worth. The following discussion questions will allow them to dig deeper into hidden meanings and interpretations. When Life is Hard: A Bible Study on Trials. power to one in which the wealthy middle class holds the power. First off, I felt that all the characters were primarily one-sided and dull. Which characters showed a high sense of morality and ethics, and which characters showed a low sense of morality and ethics? Originally from an aristocratic background, Mrs. Sparsit Title: Call the Midwife (also called The Midwife) Author: Jennifer Worth Page Count: 340 pages Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir Tone: Reflective, Warm Summary: Reflects on the experiences of Jennifer Worth as a midwife in London’s postwar East End, including the nuns from whom she learned her craft … What do you think of the fact it was so difficult for Stephen to get divorced in those days? novel on the wealthy -middle class rather than on the lower classes Hard Times is told in the third person by an omniscient narrator who occasionally inserts a comment, sarcastic remark, or opinion on the characters or the action, giving readers a sense of the narrator's familiarity with the characters and events. 2. But sometimes we must go through difficult times. Critics have called Hard Times an allegory. How did the book portray machinery as being more of a masculine trait, while humanity was portrayed as more of a feminine trait? Thus, Mrs. Sparsit illustrates the What was Sissy Jupe's background? and of England in general. LIFE GROUP discussion questions for 1 Peter 4:12-19 “CHRISTIAN OUTREACH IN HARD TIMES” (9-16-2012) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. How would you critique the moment when Louisa decided to return to her dad's home as the climax of the story? All rights reserved. With that in mind, do you think the book does an effective job of shaping our view of poverty? In what sense are Louisa and Thomas Gradgrind analogous to the people of Coketown? Prove your response by making direct reference to passages in the novel. he sought to defend because he realized that most of his Victorian What does the Apostle Paul mean by writing “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith … (Another Brick in the Wall). Who do you talk to for encouragement and inspiration? These fun little brainteasers are among the best questions to ask people who love learning and can appreciate a good challenge. How was 'the pit' Stephen fell into a microcosm for the way he had sort of fallen into a 'pit of despair' in his day-to-day life? might otherwise be unable to identify—namely, the poor of Coketown What became of Sissy's father the circus clown? Study questions, project ideas and discussion topics based on important themes running throughout My Life and Hard Times by James Thurber. Internet pioneer Vint Cerf once said 'it's the Industrial Revolution and urban concentrations that led to a sense of anonymity.' the character of Bounderby. Your high schoolers will benefit, because these discussion questions will help them analyze and evaluate what is considered a rather complex piece of allegorical literature. noble poor, and it offers no real solution or possibility for change. Peter gives us four hard lessons about hard times--hard lessons because they’re hard to apply. A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion on The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan. By centering his Required Assignments for Computer Science 103, Required Assignments for Political Science 103, COVID-19 Education Trends that are Here to Stay, What to Do with a COVID-19 College Gap Year, Active Learning Strategies for the Online Classroom, How to Promote Online Safety for Students in Online Learning, 2021 Study.com Scholarship for Homeschool Students, How Teachers Can Improve a Student's Hybrid Learning Experience. Fact and fancy represent radically different and largely irreconcilable worldviews in Hard Times. Try to imagine what it might have been like to read the novel the way people first read it – … . This reading group guide for An Atlas of Impossible Longing includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club.The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. (Watkin 162) Although I like some of those, Hard Times for These Times captures more of the novel's overall storyline than the rejected titles do- they all seem to focus on the Fact vs. Was it a confluence of unforeseen events that... 2. 2. Chapter VI – Sleary’s Horsemanship VOCABULARY Mrs. Sparsit Let's talk about these questions about trials one by one (and share some comforting Bible verses about trials and hard times that can bring hope). So, what are you waiting for? Sparsit simply ends up looking ridiculous. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Some background and study questions for Hard Times. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. share his wealth, Mrs. Sparsit secretly connives to destroy his How did the schoolteachers in the novel think an education only involved that which could be learned within the confines of the classroom walls? {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons - Examples & Definition, Madam C.J. What Pink Floyd song talks specifically about filling children's heads with too many facts? Posted August 24, 2016 by Jenny. by presenting one such supposed self-made man as a blundering braggart. How do you juxtapose Rachel's treatment of Stephen versus the way his wife treated him? How would you like to respond? Hard Times by Charles Dickens Discussion Questions, Create an account to start this course today. How did James Harthouse utilize his good looks and smooth-talking charm to manipulate some of the people in the town? If you feel up to the task, what do you say to a handful of hard trivia questions? Readers’ questions about Good Economics for Hard Times: Better Answers to Our Biggest Problems. Look up the term in some good reference source.--With what particular aspects of Utilitarianism does Dickens appear to be … Study Questions 1. that entire justification for poverty. 3. 1. This Study Guide consists of approximately 35 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Hard Times. Sparsit considers him an upstart “Noodle,” and considers herself How did she end up living with the Bounderby family? Although Mrs. Sparsit is a relatively minor I’ve found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are open-ended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Word Count: 385. Also consider these LitLovers talking points to help get a discussion started for The Worst Hard Time: 1. book on characters with whom his readers could identify, he was Times is a novel about the social condition of poverty, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (1843) and Thomas Gradgrind in Hard Times (1854) are initially cantankerous, socially alienated figures absorbed by some strange obsession. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Here’s a Bible study that will help you look at your trial in a way that will help you grow. Book Discussion Questions: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth. Pour yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee to wake up those brain cells, … Who would have been its first readers, and how might their preferences have influenced the novel’s choices of subject and presentation of values? What are some positives about a circus and its performers, and what are some of the negatives? Hard Which of your family members encourage you most? How Long is the School Day in Homeschool Programs? a proud aristocrat, Mrs. Sparsit shares the calculating self-interest better able to awaken their feelings for characters with whom they is a fairly minor character in Hard Times. Tone: Reflective, Warm. nothing, as he so often claims, Dickens questions the validity of What was Mrs. Sparsit's occupation? lie, then what can the poor hope to achieve? Thomas Malthus, Essay on the Principles of Population (1798): poverty is natural, so government subsidy programs only keep people alive and maintain higher populations, thus increasing poverty. David Ricardo, "The Iron Law of Wages": as population increases, wages decrease; increased wages encourage people to have more … Fancy theme only. Hard Times. How can discouragement help us to grow? How might this character fit with Dickens’s What basic idea or principle does Dickens’ description of Coketown suggest to the reader that might be essential for the reader to understand the chapter? Hard Times Book Review: There was a fair amount of aspects of Hard Times that I enjoyed while reading, but there were an overwhelming amount of issues I found while reading this novel. My family and I have had many trials recently! Home Hard Times Q & A Ask a question and get answers from your fellow students and educators. 1. Who did Louisa marry, and in what ways did this change her relationships with other people in her life? B. Priestley on why Hard Times is a bad novel How does Dickens utilize fairytale patterns and allusions to support theme and characterization in the novel? Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir. How would you compare and contrast Sissy's view of the world that involved fancy, versus Bitzer's view of the world that involved facts? of society. What other job was he trying to get hired for instead? themes does she illustrate? How would you compare and contrast the life of those people as opposed to your life? readers would come from the middle classes and that very few of Hard Times is a novel about the social condition of poverty, but very few of its major characters are actually poor and comparatively little time is spent with the poor characters. How? his readers would come from the lower classes. How do you analyze the significance of Louisa fainting when she had a nervous breakdown and confessed to her father she almost had an affair with James? Why was Mr. Bounderby upset that she revealed the truth about his upbringing to everyone? What 12:8). How would you arrange and break down your knowledge to tell them about the Computer Revolution? What are some examples of people in modern times who are rich but have low moral standards, and some people who are poor but have high moral standards? Book the Third: Garnering: Chapters 5-9 Quick Quiz. of the novel. In short, Coketown, a "triumph of fact" as it is called in the novel, is a satirical version of utilitarian values put into practice.Utilitarianism was initially a theory of ethics formulated in England in … The people who dug up this hard sod, who lived in dirt houses for a while, or underground in homes they called dugouts, who built churches and schools from the raw scraps of the ground, who raised large families and prospered, for a time — these people were doing what Americans have always done. Book Discussion Questions: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth. social program to explode the myth of the self-made man? By exposing Bounderby as a fraud who did not actually start from Why did Stephen Blackpool visit Mr. Bounderby for advice, and what was the former informed about his situation? Or must the poor help themselves? What was Bitzer's job at Mr. Bounderby's bank? Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. How would you evaluate the way things changed when handsome stranger James Harthouse arrived in town? The people who dug up this hard sod, who lived in dirt houses for a while, or underground in homes they called dugouts, who built churches and schools from the raw scraps of the ground, who raised large families and prospered, for a time — these people were doing what Americans have always done. Hard Times Initial questions: Where was this novel first published? However, it was over 100 years earlier that Charles Dickens penned Hard Timesand warned of the dangers of the dehumanization of industrialization. How did Mr. Bounderby and other town leaders treat 'The Hands', who were the masses of workers without faces who toiled in factories? This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion on Hard Times by Charles Dickens. Who was the mysterious Mrs. Pegler that visited the Bounderby home each year? Study Guide for The Worst Hard Time. marriage to Louisa. Would you agree with this statement? degree with a major in psychology and a minor in mathematics from Christopher Newport University. This Bible study post was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2020. But sometimes we must go through difficult times. Who do you talk to for encouragement and inspiration?