Hard Times Love Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

[Stephen] stood bareheaded in the road, watching her quick disappearance. As the shining stars were to the heavy candle in the window, so was Rachael, in the rugged fancy of this man, to the common experiences of his life. (1.13.63)

Awww. We are kind of melty and gooey inside.

Quote #2

'Father,' said Louisa, 'do you think I love Mr. Bounderby?' Mr. Gradgrind was extremely discomfited by this unexpected question. 'Well, my child,' he returned, 'I — really — cannot take upon myself to say.' 'Father,' pursued Louisa in exactly the same voice as before, 'do you ask me to love Mr. Bounderby?' 'My dear Louisa, no. No. I ask nothing.' 'Father,' she still pursued, 'does Mr. Bounderby ask me to love him?' 'Really, my dear,' said Mr. Gradgrind, 'it is difficult to answer your question — ' (1.15.13-18)

Gradgrind's surprise and shock over this question of love between Louisa and Bounderby makes us want to hear what his own proposal to Mrs. Gradgrind was like.

Quote #3

the marriage was appointed to be solemnized in eight weeks' time, and Mr. Bounderby went every evening to Stone Lodge as an accepted wooer. Love was made on these occasions in the form of bracelets; and, on all occasions during the period of betrothal, took a manufacturing aspect. Dresses were made, jewelry was made, cakes and gloves were made, settlements were made, and an extensive assortment of Facts did appropriate honour to the contract. The business was all Fact, from first to last. The Hours did not go through any of those rosy performances, which foolish poets have ascribed to them at such times; neither did the clocks go any faster, or any slower, than at other seasons. (1.16.29)

We just wanted to throw in the note that in the nineteenth century, the phrase "making love" didn't mean sex, but actually referred to wooing or courting. So, don't get any crazy ideas here about what Bounderby is doing with the bracelets.