The novel is set in an imaginary city called Coketown, where Mr. Gradgrind has founded a school in which his theories are taught. He brings up two children (Louisa and Tom) repressing their imagination and feelings. He marries Louisa to Mr. Bounderby, a 30-years-older-than-her rich banker. She doesn't love him, but accepts the relationship in order to help his brother, who is given a job by Bounderby's bank. By the way Tom is lazy and robs the employer: at first he succeeds in blaming an honest man, but in the end he is discovered and obliged to leave the country.