Here's a breakdown of how the Industrial Revolution impacted Dickens' writing:
* Exploitation of Workers: The Industrial Revolution led to the rise of factories and mass production. Dickens saw firsthand the harsh working conditions, low wages, and lack of safety regulations that many workers faced. This is vividly portrayed in *Hard Times* through the character of Stephen Blackpool, a factory worker struggling with poverty and unfair treatment.
* Social Inequality: The concentration of wealth in the hands of factory owners and industrialists, while the working class struggled to survive, created a vast chasm in society. This is evident in *David Copperfield*, where David experiences both poverty and the privileges of the wealthy, highlighting the stark contrasts.
* Urbanization and its Ills: The Industrial Revolution led to rapid population growth in cities. Dickens depicted the overcrowding, pollution, crime, and social problems that resulted in both *Hard Times* and *David Copperfield*. The bleakness of Coketown in *Hard Times* is a stark example of this.
* Child Labor: One of the most shocking aspects of the Industrial Revolution was the widespread use of child labor in factories and mines. Dickens, who worked in a blacking factory as a child himself, powerfully exposes the exploitation of children in both novels.
* Dehumanization: The Industrial Revolution devalued human labor, treating workers as cogs in a machine. Dickens criticized this dehumanization in both novels, showing how it led to social alienation, emotional repression, and a loss of individuality.
Through his powerful social commentary, Dickens used his novels to expose the injustices of the Industrial Revolution and advocate for social reform. He aimed to raise awareness of the human cost of progress and urge a more compassionate and just society.