Hard Times, by Charles Dickens, was a representation of his time. Times were hard for children and adults alike. People who questioned what they were taught, often went through struggles and "hard times." Eventually, the people who were looked down were the ones who really helped those in need. Throughout the book, there are many ironic instances. Thomas Gradgrind was a man built on the idea that facts and statistics were the only truth in …showed first 75 words of 757 total…

…showed last 75 words of 757 total…feels to care. A child who was scorned for being herself was teaching a supposed "perfect" family values they did not possess and they were grateful. In conclusion, life didn't turn out the way that was expected by many characters in "Hard Times." Those who strived to have perfect children, didn't. And those who were looked down on proved be essential characters in finding that there was more to life than what they were taught.