Hard Times By Charles Dickens Essay Example

in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only shape the minds of rational beings with Facts; nothing else will ever be beneficial to them."

The method I employ to raise my own children is also applied in raising these children. Stick to Facts, sir! His parenting of Louisa and Tom mirrors his beliefs regarding education. For instance, upon finding his kids at the circus, he approaches them and declares, "You! Thomas and you, who possess extensive knowledge of the sciences; Thomas and you, who are overflowing with facts; Thomas and you, who have received meticulous education in mathematics; ... In this humble state!"

The statement made by Gradgrind, "I am amazed," underscores his belief in the significance of education as well as social status. This quote also accentuates the theme of contrasting facts and fancy present in the novel. As per the book's perspective, imagination and whimsy are seen as troublesome elements that should be absent from children. The quote, ".. dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within..." conveys this notion. It is towards the end of Book Two: The Reaping where Louisa comprehends the value of love, fancy, and all that her life had been lacking.

The text states that the character represents a strict view of children as vessels to be filled with facts, similar to how schools were structured like factories during this time period. Victorian schools had large class sizes and referred to students as numbers, as seen when Gradgrind calls Sissy Jupe child number twenty. The novel contrasts Fact versus Fancy.

The text discusses

the early development of themes related to Fact and Fancy. Fact is represented by Mr. Gradgrind, a practical individual who runs a school focused solely on teaching Facts. The curriculum excludes imaginative and aesthetic subjects, instead emphasizing analysis, deduction, and mathematics. In contrast, Fancy encompasses fiction, music, poetry, and novelty shows like Sleary's circus. Interestingly, the Fact men consider Mr. Sleary foolish, but it is Sleary who recognizes the importance of amusing people.

Tom's gambling and Louisa, who is almost devoid of a soul both as a young child and as a married woman, make it clear that Mr. Josiah Bounderby, a business associate of Mr. Gradgrind, is involved. Bounderby, a booming merchant who often lectures others and boasts of being a self-made man, is described as both a "Bully of humility" and "lacking sentiment." Dickens aims his attack on the perceived moral superiority of the wealthy primarily at Bounderby, while also shedding light on the societal views of women at that time.

The text illustrates the deeply misogynistic nature of the character. This is evident in his treatment of Mrs. Gradgrind, as he takes a commanding position to subdue her. The description of Mrs. Gradgrind further sheds light on the low regard and mistreatment of women during that time. She is depicted as a feeble and weak bundle of shawls. Bounderby's view of women is also reflected in his disownment of his mother and his constant degradation of his grandmother.

During the Industrial Revolution, women faced a lack of rights and were frequently objectified. This is demonstrated in Louisa's loveless union with Bounderby, which was imposed on her by her father

Gradgrind. Harthouse's disrespect towards Louisa further perpetuates this idea, presenting women as mere commodities. This depiction accurately represents the Victorian man's view of women. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that the working class bore the majority of the consequences brought about by the Industrial Revolution.

The novel depicts the workers as having nothing to anticipate except a life filled with monotonous and repetitive tasks. They live in buildings where the constant rattling and trembling makes it feel like the head of a sad and crazy elephant. This quote illustrates how the factory system offered no freedom or spontaneity in behavior, as fact was always present and unavoidable. Stephen Blackpool, a character in the story, represents the workers as he is employed at one of Bounderby's mills.

Stephen establishes a strong connection with his colleague Rachael, but gets fired from the Coketown mills due to a disagreement with Bounderby. Subsequently, he is wrongly accused of a crime and must return to exonerate himself. Unfortunately, during his journey back, he falls into a mine-shaft but is eventually saved. Tragically, despite the rescue efforts, he ultimately succumbs to his injuries and passes away. Stephen is portrayed as an individual of unwavering integrity who refuses to compromise their morals simply to conform. This characteristic leads to conflicts between him and Slackbridge (the Trade Union leader), as well as the Trade Union itself.

In Mr. M'Choakumchild’s classroom, Sissy Jupe is introduced as a symbol of imagination, hope, and faith. She stands in contrast to Bitzer, who is depicted as the exemplary student. While Sissy possesses dark eyes and hair that radiate under sunlight, Bitzer has light

features lacking vibrancy. This symbolism highlights Sissy's liveliness and vitality compared to her perfect yet unimaginative peers. Abandoned by her circus performer father at Sleary's circus, Sissy is offered the chance by Gradgrind to study at his school and reside with the Gradgrind children at Stone Lodge. Initially, she faces difficulties comprehending the distinction between a life based on facts versus one fueled by her own imaginative spirit.

Throughout the story, Sissy experiences a decline in her enthusiasm and joy. The necessity of constantly studying and adhering to the rigid educational system affects Sissy's spirit without providing any enlightenment. Realizing this change, Sissy decides to leave school and care for sick Mrs. Gradgrind. Sissy's strong morals and caring nature greatly impact the Gradgrind family.

When Mrs. Gradgrind passes away, she effectively assumes the role of a mother to the younger Gradgrind Children, as well as playing a significant role in rescuing Louisa from a life devoid of emotions and marked by harshness. With her circus background, she represents the epitome of fancy in the novel, presenting a stark contrast to the emphasis on facts. She serves as an antidote to a world dominated by truth and logic, as she embodies imagination and sentimentality. Ultimately, she finds happiness surrounded by children, leading me to view Sissy as the true heroine of Dickens’ novel.

Another recurring theme in the text is the exploration of morality, particularly contrasting the characters of Gradgrind and Bounderby with the world of the circus, represented by Sleary, Signor Jupe, and Sissy. At the time, it was commonly believed that circus performers lacked moral values and goodness. However, Dickens challenges

this perception and presents a different perspective. In the novel, Dickens depicts the wealthy characters as morally corrupt. Bounderby, for instance, lacks any moral principles, as demonstrated when he dismisses Blackpool purely for his own amusement. Furthermore, Bounderby frequently behaves in a rude and indecent manner, often losing his temper.

The text depicts Harthouse as a leisurely gentleman who, despite acknowledging his lack of morality, is likened to an "iceberg" that unintentionally causes destruction. In contrast, Stephen Blackpool, a impoverished worker, is portrayed as possessing impeccable morals, consistently keeping his promises and displaying consideration towards others, much like Sissy Jupe. Though other members of the circus may not adhere to a faultless moral code, they grasp the significance of love, imagination, and emotion. The novel explores various contrasting themes throughout its narrative; however, none are more prominent than the conflict between reason and sentiment. This dichotomy becomes evident in the conclusion of the story.

Louisa and Sissy suspect Tom of bank robbery, so they decide to send him to Sleary’s circus. Tom confesses to Louisa and Sissy that he had little money and felt compelled to rob the bank. Mr. Sleary is unaware of this and agrees to assist Tom in reaching Liverpool. Mr. Gradgrind prays that his son can secure passage on a ship bound for the Americas. However, their plans are thwarted by Bitzer, who is eager to claim the reward for Tom's crime. Ironically, Gradgrind appeals to Bitzer's emotions when pleading for his help in saving Tom.

The narrator doubts Bitzer's empathy, but Bitzer sarcastically claims that he has a heart because it is needed for proper circulation. Gradgrind's

strict focus on facts and figures has shaped Bitzer. I think "Hard Times" effectively uses characterization to showcase various aspects of Victorian ideals and society, including views on children, the education system, treatment of women, working conditions in factories, and the importance of family roles.

The objective of the text is to establish a deeper connection between the reader and the characters by utilizing a play script format. Moreover, it suggests that these characters are not intended to be accurate depictions of individuals from that time period, but rather they embody notions and concepts. Dickens effectively illustrates this by assigning them names such as Gradgrind, M'Choakumchild, Bounderby, and Sleary.