Explosion explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hypocrisy and Self-Deception

  Mrs. Sparsit's exaggerated pity for Bounderby and her feigned humility highlight the hypocrisy in their relationship.

• Social Class and Inequality

  Bounderby's quick condemnation of Stephen Blackpool reflects class prejudice against the working poor.

• Marriage and Gender Roles

  Louisa's strained marriage is evident as she walks with Harthouse while Bounderby plays backgammon with Mrs. Sparsit.

Characters to notice

• Josiah Bounderby

  Accuses Stephen Blackpool of the bank robbery, becomes sentimental under Mrs. Sparsit's consolations, and plays backgammon with her.

• Louisa Gradgrind

  Walks in the garden with James Harthouse, waits late for her brother Tom's return, and goes to his room in the dark.

• Mrs. Sparsit

  Stays at Bounderby's house, repeatedly calls Louisa 'Miss Gradgrind', pities Bounderby, and spies on Louisa and Harthouse in the garden.

• James Harthouse

  Strolls with Louisa in the garden, discusses the robbery with Bounderby, and shows a lazy, ironic attitude.

• Stephen Blackpool

  Accused by Bounderby of the bank robbery based on circumstantial evidence.

• Tom Gradgrind Junior

  Helps the police at the Bank and is expected home by mail-train; Louisa waits for him.

Key passages

• “She had a curious propensity to call Mrs. Bounderby 'Miss Gradgrind,' and yielded to it some three or four score times in the course of the evening.”

  Mrs. Sparsit repeatedly called Louisa by her maiden name, as if unable to accept her marriage.

  Highlights Mrs. Sparsit's passive-aggressive denial of Louisa's new status.

• “Show me a dissatisfied hand, and I'll show you a man that's fit for anything bad, I don't care what it is.”

  Bounderby believes any unhappy worker is capable of crime.

  Reflects Bounderby's prejudice and the class tensions in Coketown.