2. Chapter 1: Effects in the Bank
Mrs. Sparsit and Bitzer discuss the young Tom
Gradgrind, who, has become a “dissipated,
extravagant idler.” A very well-dressed young
gentleman ( James Harthouse) interrupts their
conversation by knocking at the door. The stranger
explains that he has come to Coketown to enter
politics as a disciple of Gradgrind. The young man
inquires about Louisa Bounderby.
3. Chapter 2: Mr. James Harthouse
We learn that the strange visitor’s name is James Harthouse , a wealthy
young man who is only interested in Gradgrind’s politics. He does not
really share Gradgrind’s philosophy of fact, but he is prepared to
pretend that he does in order to pass the time.
4. Chapter 3: The Whelp
After dinner, Harthouse takes young Tom—who is highly
impressed with his new acquaintance’s amoral worldliness—back
to his apartment.The drunken Tom claims that Louisa only
married Bounderby for Tom’s sake, so that she could use
Bounderby’s money to help her brother with his own financial
difficulties. Once Harthouse learns that Louisa does not love her
husband, he privately resolves to seduce her.
5. Chapter 4: Men and Brothers
The factory Hands, who have decided to unionize in an
attempt to improve their wretched conditions, hold a
meeting. Slackbridge gives an impassioned speech about
the necessity of unionizing and of showing their sense of
fellowship. The only Hand who remains unconvinced is
Stephen Blackpool. Stephen says he does not believe that
the union will do any good because it will only aggravate
the already tense relationship between employers and
workers. After he voices this opinion, he is disliked by all.
6. Chapter 5: Men and Masters
Bounderby attempts to ask Stephen what went on at the union
meeting, but Stephen refuses to be used as a spy. When he
refuses to spy on the other Hands, Bounderby angrily dismisses
him from the factory. Stephen will have to leave Coketown in
search of work.
7. Chapter 6: Fading Away
Outside Bounderby’s, Stephen encounters Rachael with Mrs.
Pegler. Stephen takes the pair back to his room for tea, telling
Rachael the news of his dismissal. In spite of Stephen’s misfortune,
they pass an enjoyable evening and are surprised by the
appearance of Louisa and Tom at Stephen’s door. Louisa was
impressed with Stephen’s honesty, and she offers him money to
help him on his way. Deeply touched, Stephen agrees to accept
only two pounds, which he promises to pay back. Tom summons
Stephen outside and makes him another offer of help. Tom tells
Stephen to wait outside the bank late at night for the next few
nights.
8. Chapter 7: Gunpowder
As James Harthouse begins to enjoy some political
success, he also begins to plan his seduction of Louisa.
He and Louisa spend a lot of time together at
Bounderby’s country estate near Coketown, and
through their private conversations he learns how to
manipulate the emotions that Louisa herself does not
know she has. Realizing that her brother is the only
person for whom she truly cares.
9. Chapter 8: Explosion
One morning, Bounderby announces that the bank has been
robbed of roughly 150 pounds. The only suspect is Stephen
Blackpool, who was seen loitering outside the bank late at
night, shortly before fleeing from Coketown. Louisa suspects
Tom of stealing the money. She confronts him about it one
night, and he protests his innocence. However, as soon as she
leaves his room, he buries his face in his pillow and begins to
sob guiltily.
10. Chapter 9: Hearing the Last of It
Mrs. Sparsit continues to hang about Bounderby estate. She
also observes shrewdly that Louisa spends a great deal of time
with James Harthouse. Louisa receives a letter from Stone
Lodge, telling her that her mother is dying. Louisa rushes to
her mother’s side and sees that her younger sister, Jane, who
is being raised primarily by Sissy, seems happier and more
fulfilled than Louisa felt as a child. Mrs. Gradgrind dies.
11. Chapter 10: Mrs. Sparsit’s
Staircase
Mrs. Sparsit begins to imagine that Louisa is on a giant
staircase leading into a black abyss. She pictures Louisa
running downward and downward, and she takes great
pleasure in imagining what will happen when she
reaches the bottom and falls into this abyss.
12. Chapter 11: Lower and Lower
Harthouse professes his love for Louisa and states his desire
to become her lover. Louisa agrees to meet him in town later
that night but urges him to leave immediately. Mrs. Sparsit
happily imagines Louisa falling into bottom of her imaginary
staircase.
13. Chapter 12: Down
Contrary to Mrs. Sparsit’s expectations, Louisa does not go to
meet James Harthouse but instead goes to Stone Lodge, where
she rushes into her father’s study and extremely upset. She
confesses to her father that she bitterly regrets her childhood
and says that the way he brought her up exclusively on facts,
without ever letting her feel or imagine anything, has ruined her.
She claims that she is married to a man she despises and that
she may be in love with Harthouse. Gradgrind is shocked and
consumed with sudden self-reproach. Sobbing, Louisa collapses
to the floor.
