Title

• How many titles did Dickens and Forster consider before choosing "Hard Times"?

  14 titles
• What were the categories of rejected titles for "Hard Times"?

  1. Titles referring to characters
  2. Titles relating to the critique of utilitarianism
• What is one of the rejected titles referring to characters?

  According to Cocker
• Why were titles referring to characters rejected?

  They placed too much emphasis on individual characters, narrowing the novel's thematic focus
• Name a rejected title relating to the critique of utilitarianism.

  Two and Two are Four
• What was the reason for rejecting titles related to the critique of utilitarianism?

  They focused too much on the negative critique of utilitarianism, while Dickens aimed for a more positive emphasis on empathy and human connection
• What are the implications of the title "Hard Times"?

  • Reflects difficult circumstances faced by characters, especially the working class
  • Implies empathy toward those insulted and injured by industrial society
  • Suggests "hard times" reflect broader social realities of Dickens’s era
• How does "Hard Times" relate to the working class?

  It reflects the difficult circumstances faced by most characters, especially the working class
• What stance does "Hard Times" imply toward those affected by industrial society?

  It implies an empathetic stance toward those who are "insulted and injured"
• In what way is the title "Hard Times" relevant beyond Dickens's era?

  It suggests that "hard times" were reflective of broader social realities, making it relevant both to his time and beyond