Hard Times: An Analysis of Utilitarianism and Education in Charles Dickens' Novel, Schemi e mappe concettuali di Inglese

Scarica Hard Times: An Analysis of Utilitarianism and Education in Charles Dickens' Novel e più Schemi e mappe concettuali in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! Hard Times – Study Tips During the course of ‘Hard Times’, Charles Dickens defines Utilitarianism as a way of life and as a view on anything through the prospering Victorian industrial business dominating Coketown in the 1850’s. Dickens takes Tom Gradgrind as his main example, as a deeply Utilitarian school teacher. ‘Hard Times’ also highlights the standard of working conditions in and around the industrial manufacturing. Right from the start of the novel, Mr. Gradgrind is presented as strict, as the first words he speaks. The first sentences in chapter one are: “Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts”. Both ‘Facts’ are written with a capital ‘F’, emphasizing the importance of facts. All he wants is facts, facts, facts and that’s all he thinks the education system is for. He believes so strongly in Utilitarianism and therefore thinks it is completely reasonable for everyone else to adopt his way of life. At the start of the 1st book, Mr. Gradgrind is presented as; “a man of facts and calculations”. This shows how his style of efficiency really backs Gradgrind’s belief that everything can be ordered, recorded and measured. The quote “Stick to Facts, sir!” indicates that Gradgrind knows that there is more to life than facts. Like before, the ‘f’ in ‘facts’ is a capital letter. Gradgrind classroom and his addiction to science is shown by the desk arrangement being described as the “boys and girls sat on the face of the inclined plane”. He is compared to grey, dark, dull imagery that precisely reflects his character. The classroom is bland and so lacking in color that bright-eyed Sissy Jupe clearly stands out “irradiated” by a lustrous beam of light like an angel among men. Bitzer, one of the most intellectually strong pupils is under Gradgrind’s powerful influence as he fast transforms to a grey shadow, a mere boy possessing no evidence of creativity or emotion. “he would bleed white”. In the opening couple of chapters of the novel, Dickens emphasizes Gradgrind’s philosophy of calculating, rational self-interest and categorizing. He believes that human nature can be governed by completely rational rules, and he is “ready to weigh and measure any parcel of human nature, and tell you what it comes to.” While the narrator’s tone toward him is initially mocking and ironic, Gradgrind undergoes a significant change in the course of the novel, thereby earning the narrator’s sympathy. When Louisa confesses that she feels something important is missing in her life and that she is very unhappy with her marriage, Gradgrind begins to realize that his system of education may not be what he thought it was – perfect. Faced with the failures of his system, Gradgrind admits “The ground on which I stand has ceased to be solid under my feet.” Consequently, Gradgrind changes into a more understanding, tolerating man. Ultimately changing his utilitarian state of mind to peace, goodwill and happiness.