Hard Times · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Hard Times by Charles Dickens.
Josiah Bounderby
major
Also known as Mr. Bounderby, Bounderby, old Bounderby, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown
A boastful, self-made banker and factory owner who marries Louisa Gradgrind.
Thomas Gradgrind
major
Also known as Mr. Gradgrind, Thomas Gradgrind, Gradgrind, Mr. Thomas Gradgrind
A utilitarian schoolmaster and MP who raises his children on facts alone.
Louisa Gradgrind
major
Also known as Louisa, Miss Louisa, Loo, Loo Bounderby
The eldest Gradgrind daughter, forced into a loveless marriage with Bounderby.
Stephen Blackpool
major
Also known as Stephen Blackpool, Stephen, Blackpool, Old Stephen
An honest, hardworking mill worker trapped in an unhappy marriage.
James Harthouse
supporting
Also known as Mr. James Harthouse, Jem, James Harthouse, Mr. Harthouse, Harthouse
A wealthy, idle gentleman who attempts to seduce Louisa Gradgrind.
Sissy Jupe
major
Also known as Sissy, Cecilia, Cecilia Jupe, Jupe
A kind circus girl taken in by the Gradgrinds, representing imagination and empathy.
Rachael
supporting
Also known as Rachael, XIII Rachael
A compassionate mill worker and Stephen Blackpool's true love.
Bitzer
supporting
Also known as Bitzer
A pale, cold-blooded student of Gradgrind's system who becomes a spy.
Mr. Sleary
supporting
Also known as Sleary, Mr. Sleary
The lisping, good-hearted owner of a traveling circus.
Mrs. Sparsit
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Sparsit, Sparsit
Bounderby's snobbish housekeeper who schemes against Louisa.
Mrs. Gradgrind
minor
Also known as Mrs. Gradgrind, Gradgrind
The sickly, ineffectual wife of Thomas Gradgrind.
Tom Gradgrind Junior
supporting
Also known as Tom, young Thomas, young Tom, Thomas, Dear Tom
The selfish, dissolute son of Thomas Gradgrind who robs Bounderby's bank.
Slackbridge
minor
Also known as Slackbridge
A fiery, manipulative union orator who turns workers against Stephen.
Mrs. Pegler
minor
Also known as Mrs. Pegler, old Mrs. Pegler, Pegler
An old woman who secretly visits Coketown, later revealed as Bounderby's mother.
E. W. B. Childers
minor
Also known as Mr. Childers, Childers, E. W. B. Childers, E. W. B.
A performer in Sleary's circus, father of the equestrian star.
Signor Jupe
minor
Also known as Signor Jupe
Sissy's father, a clown who abandons the circus.
Mr. M'Choakumchild
minor
Also known as Mr. M'Choakumchild, good M'Choakumchild, M'Choakumchild
A dreary schoolteacher who drills facts into Gradgrind's students.
Master Kidderminster
minor
Also known as Master Kidderminster, Mr. Kidderminster
A young circus performer in Sleary's troupe.
Merrylegs
minor
Also known as Merrylegs
Signor Jupe's performing dog who returns alone to the circus.
George Gradgrind
minor
Also known as George Gradgrind, George
Thomas Gradgrind's brother, mentioned as a dissipated figure.
Josephine Sleary
minor
Also known as Miss Josephine Sleary, Josephine, little fair-haired Josephine
Sleary's daughter, a young circus rider.
Lady Scadgers
minor
Also known as Lady Scadgers
An elderly, immobile relative of Mrs. Sparsit.
Emma Gordon
minor
Also known as Emma Gordon, Emma
A young woman mentioned in relation to Tom Gradgrind's debts.
Nickits
minor
Also known as Nickits
A former owner of the Coketown mill purchased by Bounderby.
Thethilia
minor
Also known as Thethilia
A circus performer with a lisp, part of Sleary's troupe.
Jane Gradgrind
minor
Also known as little Jane, little Jane Gradgrind, Jane
The youngest Gradgrind child, who later shows kindness.
Mother Sparsit
minor
Also known as Mother Sparsit
Mrs. Sparsit's mother, mentioned as a former society figure.
The Late Mr. Sparsit
minor
Also known as The late Mr. Sparsit
Mrs. Sparsit's deceased husband, a former member of parliament.
