Home > Hard Times Summary & Study Guide > Summary and Analysis > Book III, Chapters 8-9: Summary and Analysis

Hard Times | Book III, Chapters 8-9: Summary and Analysis

Chapter 8: Philosophical
Chapter 9: Final

Summary
Bitzer stands before Gradgrind in the circus ring, holding Tom fast. Mr. Gradgrind, “broken and submissive,” begins to appeal to him to let his son go. Each appeal is met with polite, “business-like,” and “logical” refusal. No talk of “heart,” no consideration of loyalty to his old master for the training that was bestowed upon him will induce him to release Tom. Bitzer has suspected Tom of the bank robbery from the first, and he’s sure that if he delivers Tom over to Mr. Bounderby his...


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