Louisa and Sissy Fact Against Fancy in Hard Times

Louisa and Sissy: Fact against fancy in Hard Times. Two female characters in Hard Times, Louisa Gradgrind and Sissy Jupe could be considered contrastive by fate and there is moral fable in this contrast. It is significant that in last two paragraphs of the novel Dickens applies to motherhood as a sense of woman happiness. Daughter of main educator of Coketown, have got only the bitter questionnaire: â€Å"Herself again a wife - a mother - lovingly watchful of her children, ever careful that they should have a childhood of the mind no less than a childhood of the body, as knowing it to be even a more beautiful thing, and a possession, any hoarded scrap of which, is a blessing and happiness to the wisest? Did Louisa see this? Such a†¦show more content†¦In direct contrast to the selfish individualism promoted by Gradgrindism, its members show a generous solidarity and human directness of response.†(p.116) Gradgrid was trying to influence this foil with his utilitarian approach, but he failed. She depictured as emotional girl from the very beginning: â€Å"Sissy Jupe, Sir†, explained number twenty, blushing†¦(Ch 2, p 8) Sissy began living with the Gradgrind family, and indirectly helped them to understand, that something in their life was missed. Love and care were unknown virtues in this family. â€Å"Only Sissy Jupe, the finest flower of the circus way of life, has influence where it matters and becomes a beacon of effective light and goodness - a model for all of us to aspire to†, says Pittock. Louisa and Sissy have significant dialog in the Book The Third, Chapter 1. Louisa begging for her friendship: â€Å"Forgive me, pity me, help me! Have compassion on my great need, and let me lay this head of mine upon a loving heart!†(p.210) So the â€Å"poor girl† becomes the only â€Å"loving heart† for Gradgrind’s family. She took care of Mrs. Gradgrind and after he death becomes a mother to youngerShow MoreRelatedIndustrialization in Hard Times by Charles Dickens1626 Words   |  7 Pagesera, in 1854, Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote Hard Times to comment upon the change within society and its effect on its people. Dickens points out the flaws and limitations of this new society in his eloquent and passionate plea on behalf of the working poor (Charles Dickens Hard Times, 2000). The novel shows presents to readers the authors perspective of life during the nineteenth century and makes comments on the central theme of fact versus fancy. Due to this theme, the novel ends with many charactersRead MoreUse of Exaggeration in Hard Times1545 Words   |  7 PagesDickens has cleverly used exaggeration in Hard Times, in the form of caricature and farce to criticize the theory of utilitarianism; the popular way of living in the Victorian age. Utilitarianism comes under the theory of consequentialism which dictates that on e should always judge an action from its consequences, and follow the course which benefits the majority. By exaggerating his characters he essentially uses them to represent varying views on utilitarianism; ie; what it implies not only asRead MoreGirl Number 20, Essay from Hard Times, Dickens, C.2318 Words   |  10 Pagesinfluential writers of the time, his novel â€Å"Hard Times†, as the rest of his works, is vivid examples of what realistic novels would be like. He portrays his judgement towards society in a very comprehensible and even entertaining way, providing the reader an idea of the time and era he was living in. Furthermore, he lets readers identify with the situation and characters of the story, reflecting through the narrator his social perspectives of the time. Regarding the novel Hard Times, there are severalRead MoreUtilitarianism in Dickens Hard Times Essay1233 Words   |  5 Pages‘Hard Times’ is a wonderful story, but when one thinks about the reality that lies behind the work, the novel becomes a masterpiece. This novel becomes very important because utilitarianism was the main thought in Victorian era. Utilitarianism, â€Å"the forms of liberty and equality that will produce the greatest happiness depend on the state of the educational, political, economic, and social structure† (Harris). Everything is explained by logic and facts. It is easy for the reader to find out thatRead MoreThe Role of the Circus Folk in Hard Times by Charles Dickens1617 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of the Circus Folk in Hard Times by Charles Dickens The role of the circus is both complex and simple it is in itself a contradiction; it has been placed within the novel to add another dimension to the story of Coketown but also to show how fragile human nature can be. The circus folks role are complicated in their simplicity, they are of course there to carry out the role that they are paid to perform as actors or performers as well as being there for theRead MoreSignificance of Emotional Education in Dickens Novel, Hard Times 1911 Words   |  8 PagesSet in the ever shifting world of the Industrial Revolution, Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times begins with a description of a utilitarian paradise created by the illustrious and eminently practical Mr. Gradgrind, a world that follows a prescribed set of logically laid-out facts. However, readers soon realize that Gradgrinds modern utopia is only a simulacrum, belied by the damnation of lives devoid of elements that feed the heart and soul, as well as the mind. As the years progress, the weaknessesRead MoreSummary Of Hard Times By Charles Dickens2062 Words   |  9 PagesAngelina Almanzar ENGL 35701: 19th Century British Novel Professor Elizabeth Weybright 27 June 2016 Utilitarianism in Hard Times During the Victorian Era, many philosophers focused on utilitarian philosophy and ways of thinking, choosing the best decisions and actions for their own self-interest. In his novel, Hard Times, Charles Dickens satirizes the English educational system, society, and economics, but most importantly, through them, he criticizes the many abuses of utilitarianism. Many writersRead MoreThe Effects Of Industrialization On English Towns Essay1730 Words   |  7 PagesHard Times symbolizes the negative effects of industrialization on English towns (Coketown in the story) including education. Charles Dickens was born in 1812, and was a contemporary of the Industrial Revolution. Industries were growing by leaps and bounds; bringing with it pollution, social imbalance and individual confusion. Dickens was rather poor and had no proper education. At the age of 12 he worked in Warren’s Blacking Factory attaching labels to bottles. He labored hard to educate himselfRead MoreDickens Hard T imes1535 Words   |  7 PagesDickens’ Hard Times â€Å"Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life.† (Dickens, 1854, p.1) With these beginning sentences of the novel â€Å"Hard Times†, Charles Dickens has made readers doubt whether it is true that facts alone are wanted in life. This question leads to the main theme of the story, fact against fancy, that author has never been written this kind of plot in his other stories before. In fact, Hard Times is considered as theRead MoreEssay on Themes, Symbolism, and Atmosphere in Dickens Hard Times1376 Words   |  6 Pages When Charles Dickens was writing his commentary on a fast industrializing world, the thought that Hard Times would still be relevant over 150 years later is assumed to be far from the forefront of his mind. And yet at present, 158 years after its first publication, Charles Dickens’ tale of industrialization and its implications still holds a prominent place in today’s society. The following is one interpretation of Dickens’ story of an industrialized dystopia, and discussed are its ever-relevant