Hard Times, Book 2: Reaping, Chapter 7 summary

What happens

1. Harthouse gains political standing and spends much of his free time with the Bounderbys, seeking to stir Louisa’s feelings.
2. At Bounderby’s country estate, he approaches Louisa alone and draws her into discussing Tom’s gambling and debts.
3. Louisa reveals her financial help, while Harthouse describes Tom’s upbringing in terms that also speak to her own suffering.
4. Harthouse condemns Tom’s ingratitude, moves Louisa to tears, and joins her in meeting her brother.
5. Alone with Harthouse, Tom blames Louisa for withholding help and says an offer of money comes too late.
6. Harthouse secures Tom’s promise of kindness; Tom kisses Louisa before dinner, and she smiles toward Harthouse.

In this chapter

What to notice

Louisa’s smile shows that Harthouse gains an emotional response previously associated with Tom. The narrator’s distress marks this change as dangerous.

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