The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

Set in a mid-nineteenth-century industrial town, the narrative explores the consequences of materialism through the character of Thomas Gradgrind, whose rigid adherence to facts and self-interest leads to the emotional ruin of his children, Louisa and Thomas. Dickens critiques the dehumanizing effects of industrial society, highlighting the importance of empathy and sentiment in human relationships. This powerful social commentary reflects the author's commitment to social activism during the Victorian era.