Hard Times by Charles Dickens is a powerful exploration of the struggles and hardships faced during the Industrial Revolution. Set in the fictional Coketown, it delves into themes of social injustice, rigid education, and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. Through the intersecting lives of factory workers, educators, and industrialists, Dickens crafts a poignant critique of utilitarianism and class inequality, highlighting the enduring human spirit amidst adversity.