Hard Times Argumentative Essay Example

frustrated with his father's rigidness and monotony, rebels against him and departs from home to seek employment at Mr. Bounderby's bank. Free from his father's control, Tom indulges in excessive drinking and gambling.

Eventually, in order to settle a significant gambling debt, he commits a robbery at a bank and is compelled to flee the vicinity. When Bitzer becomes aware of Tom's bank robbery and apprehends him, Mr. Gradgrind pleads with him to release Tom, reminding him of all the hard work that was imposed on him during his time at the school. In an ironic twist, Bitzer, utilizing the factual tools he acquired at Gradgrind's school, responds that the school fee has been paid and there is no further obligation. I find it extremely amusing that at a time of need, Gradgrind's educational theory has backfired. I believe Dickens incorporated this irony as a comedic device, but also to illustrate the ineffectiveness of the utilitarian teaching method. Unlike Tom, Louisa has a good relationship with her father. She even agrees to marry Mr. Bounderby, despite not loving him, in order to please her father. She remains in the marriage with Bounderby and carries on with life pragmatically and factually, until she faces a dilemma and panics. Mr. James Harthouse, a young and attractive man, is drawn to Louisa and cunningly awakens her feelings for him. Since she has never experienced emotions of her own before, she is uncertain how to respond. Her father never gave her the chance to think independently or even love someone. This is why Louisa becomes distraught and ends up crying in her father's arms.Throughout the novel, she has constantly received

instructions and strict guidance, even to the point where her father is now perplexed. Surprisingly, Mr. Gradgrind departs from his utilitarian beliefs and demonstrates empathy towards his daughter's emotions.

One must think that he is beginning to doubt his philosophy
after seeing it backfire in his face multiple times.
Josiah Bounderby is another prime exemplification of utilitarianism.

Mr. Bounderby, despite being one of the wealthiest individuals in Coketown, owning a bank and a factory, is not well-liked. His philosophy, similar to Gradgrinds, emphasizes the importance of factuality as the supreme virtue. Throughout the story, he consistently maintains his utilitarian views, which prioritize profit above all else. Though Bounderby employs numerous workers in his factory and bank, he fails to show them any respect. Instead, he refers to them as "Hands," indicating their insignificance in his eyes.

Bounderby frequently asserts that workers desire extravagant things such as venison, turtle soup, and a lavish lifestyle, when in reality all they truly seek are reasonable working conditions and fair compensation for their labor. He displays no concern for his employees as individuals but rather values them solely based on their productivity, which ultimately benefits his own financial gain. When one of his workers named Stephen Blackpool visits Bounderby's residence seeking advice regarding his troubled marriage, Blackpool is treated with disdain solely because of his low social status. Dickens portrays this encounter as a situation where Blackpool is regarded as being five steps below Bounderby and his associates due to his status as a humble worker and inferior education. It is almost as if they refuse to take him seriously simply because of his circumstances. Blackpool is informed that

divorcing his wife would violate English laws. Interestingly, later in the story, Bounderby himself divorces his own wife. This demonstrates how wealth significantly influences social class and the privileges bestowed upon individuals. Undoubtedly, this arrangement is unfair, but the social hierarchy is structured in a manner that allows the affluent to look down upon those less fortunate. Generally, those who lack education tend to be impoverished, while those who are well-educated like Bounderby and Gradgrind tend to be wealthy.The utilitarians, who were knowledgeable about the factual information, experienced success. In contrast, those who lacked this knowledge ended up working in the utilitarians' factories.

Dickens vividly depicts the social class inequality in this passage and makes it clear that he strongly disapproves of it. He specifically expresses a strong disdain towards Bounderby and his utilitarian philosophy. The book thoroughly explores this philosophy and illustrates its monumental failure. The text also questions what kind of lives the characters would have had if the town was not governed by utilitarians.

In adding circus people to his novel, Dickens skillfully introduces a contrast to the utilitarian philosophy of life. These circus people can be seen as the complete opposite of utilitarianism. This particular aspect of the book stands out in my memory. The circus people are ordinary individuals who possess an open-mindedness and a simplicity that revolves around bringing joy to others through laughter. Dickens depicts them as a step above the "Hands," yet still near the bottom of the social hierarchy. Gradgrind, Bounderby, and other utilitarians despise them because they embody everything that is rejected in utilitarianism, such as love, imagination, and humor. Sissy Jupe, the daughter of a circus

performer, is taken in by the Gradgrinds and becomes a resident of their home.

She embodies the innocence and free-will of the circus people, qualities that are absent in those around her. Just by being present, her goodness influences those around her, although it is too late for most. Despite Mr. Gradgrind's attempts to instill utilitarianism in her at his school, she remains the fun-loving girl she always was because she grew up with "normal" people who think for themselves and love one another. She also influences the youngest Gradgrind daughter, Jane, who leads a more enjoyable and fulfilling life than her older sister, Louisa, thanks to these influences. Although Jane is not mentioned much until the end of the book, I appreciate how Dickens showcases the contrasting effects of the utilitarian lifestyle versus the non-utilitarian lifestyle. The utilitarians ultimately experience a downfall because their narrow-mindedness cannot withstand life's pressures. Those who do not fall victim to the utilitarian trap are able to live happily and freely, embracing love, laughter, and imagination - the way life should be lived.

Dickens clearly had a strong viewpoint on how life should be lived and skillfully portrayed it. He took an indirect approach to convey his message, but it proved to be highly effective as the story unfolded. Much of the narrative revolved around utilitarianism and the examination of objective facts. However, as the flaws in this philosophy started to emerge and affect the characters, Dickens promptly emphasized them. We witness Mr. Thomas Gradgrind, the main character and a staunch advocate of utilitarianism, experiencing the consequences of his beliefs and gradually deviating from them. After witnessing his life crumble, perhaps

he now longs for a life in the circus.

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