# Hard Times — Character guide

> Key figures in Hard Times by Charles Dickens.

- [Josiah Bounderby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/josiah_bounderby.md): A boastful, self-made banker and factory owner who marries Louisa Gradgrind.
- [Thomas Gradgrind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/thomas_gradgrind.md): A utilitarian schoolmaster and MP who raises his children on facts alone.
- [Louisa Gradgrind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/louisa_gradgrind.md): The eldest Gradgrind daughter, forced into a loveless marriage with Bounderby.
- [Stephen Blackpool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/stephen_blackpool.md): An honest, hardworking mill worker trapped in an unhappy marriage.
- [James Harthouse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/james_harthouse.md): A wealthy, idle gentleman who attempts to seduce Louisa Gradgrind.
- [Sissy Jupe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/sissy_jupe.md): A kind circus girl taken in by the Gradgrinds, representing imagination and empathy.
- [Rachael](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/rachael.md): A compassionate mill worker and Stephen Blackpool's true love.
- [Bitzer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/bitzer.md): A pale, cold-blooded student of Gradgrind's system who becomes a spy.
- [Mr. Sleary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/sleary.md): The lisping, good-hearted owner of a traveling circus.
- [Mrs. Sparsit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/mrs_sparsit.md): Bounderby's snobbish housekeeper who schemes against Louisa.
- [Mrs. Gradgrind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/mrs_gradgrind.md): The sickly, ineffectual wife of Thomas Gradgrind.
- [Tom Gradgrind Junior](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/tom_gradgrind_junior.md): The selfish, dissolute son of Thomas Gradgrind who robs Bounderby's bank.
- [Slackbridge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/slackbridge.md): A fiery, manipulative union orator who turns workers against Stephen.
- [Mrs. Pegler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/mrs_pegler.md): An old woman who secretly visits Coketown, later revealed as Bounderby's mother.
- [E. W. B. Childers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/childers.md): A performer in Sleary's circus, father of the equestrian star.
- [Signor Jupe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/signor_jupe.md): Sissy's father, a clown who abandons the circus.
- [Mr. M'Choakumchild](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/m_choakumchild.md): A dreary schoolteacher who drills facts into Gradgrind's students.
- [Master Kidderminster](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/master_kidderminster.md): A young circus performer in Sleary's troupe.
- [Merrylegs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/merrylegs.md): Signor Jupe's performing dog who returns alone to the circus.
- [George Gradgrind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/george_gradgrind.md): Thomas Gradgrind's brother, mentioned as a dissipated figure.
- [Josephine Sleary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/miss_josephine_sleary.md): Sleary's daughter, a young circus rider.
- [Lady Scadgers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/lady_scadgers.md): An elderly, immobile relative of Mrs. Sparsit.
- [Emma Gordon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/emma_gordon.md): A young woman mentioned in relation to Tom Gradgrind's debts.
- [Nickits](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/nickits.md): A former owner of the Coketown mill purchased by Bounderby.
- [Thethilia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/thethilia.md): A circus performer with a lisp, part of Sleary's troupe.
- [Jane Gradgrind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/little_jane_gradgrind.md): The youngest Gradgrind child, who later shows kindness.
- [Mother Sparsit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/mrs_sparsit_mother.md): Mrs. Sparsit's mother, mentioned as a former society figure.
- [The Late Mr. Sparsit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters/the_late_mr_sparsit.md): Mrs. Sparsit's deceased husband, a former member of parliament.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hard_times_se/characters