Literature of Victorians
Hard Times: For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by English author Charles dickens , first published in 1854. The book surveys English society and satirises the social and economic conditions of the era.
Summary :
Hard Times is unusual in several ways. It is by far the shortest of Dickens's novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it.Also, unlike all but one of his other novels, Hard Times has neither a preface nor illustrations. Moreover, it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. Instead the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town, in some ways similar to Manchester, though smaller. Coketown may be partially based on 19th-century Preston
One of Dickens's reasons for writing Hard Times was that sales of his weekly periodical Household Words were low, and it was hoped the novel's publication in instalments would boost circulation – as indeed proved to be the case. Since publication it has received a mixed response from critics. Critics such as George bernard shaw as George and Thomas Macaulay have mainly focused on Dickens's treatment of trade unions and his post-industrial revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalist mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era. F.R.leavis, a great admirer of the book, included it – but not Dickens's work as a whole – as part of his Great Tradition of English novels.
The Importance of Being Earnest by oscar wilde , first performed in 1895, is a comedic play that satirizes the conventions and manners of Victorian society. The subtitle of the play, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, aptly captures Wilde’s tongue-in-cheek take on the cultural milieu to which he was subject. Set in England during the late 19th century, the play follows the lives of two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt fictional identities to escape social obligations. Jack invents a brother named Ernest, while Algernon creates an invalid friend named Bunbury. The plot unfolds with mistaken identities, clever wordplay, and humorous social commentary.
Wilde uses the play to mock the hypocrisy and artificiality of the upper class, exposing the trivial concerns and absurdities of his society. The characters navigate a world of romantic entanglements and societal expectations, with the theme of the “importance of being earnest” serving as a playful and ironic commentary on the values of honesty and sincerity. Emblematic of Wilde’s send up of the upper class is the unforgetable character of Lady Bracknell—who is utterly respectable, despite making a point to insult almost everyone she meets. Lady Bracknell is always more concerned with increasing her social and financial status than with creating grounded, relational connections.
The Importance of Being Earnest is celebrated for its witty dialogue, clever satire, and timeless humor. Wilde’s sharp social commentary remains relevant, making the play a classic in the canon of English literature. Significant adaptations include various film and stage productions, with notable ones being a 1952 film adaptation directed by Anthony Asquith and a 2002 film adaptation starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett. These adaptations attest to the enduring appeal of Wilde’s sharp wit and social commentary.
