n the novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens, there is a clear separation between the rich upper class, and The Hands, the poverty stricken lower class. There was a clear contrast between the rich and poor during the Industrial Revolution, which is captured in the novel by Dickens. The Industrial Revolution was a monumental advancement in English society, which resulted in higher quality and quantities of food, lower death rate, and a higher birth rate. During this time the Scientific Revolution also took place, leading to the Agricultural Revolution. There was new technology developed that helped to increase food production, and ultimately profit. Due to this monumental time in England, there was an explosion in the population as rural living shifted to urban life. People wanted to come to England for a better life due to the boom in quality of living. Through all the advances and the population increase, many families were forced to work in
