Plot and Character Analysis of Hard Times from a Marxist Perspective
...n dramatically affected by industrial capitalism can also be found in Hard Times. One example is that of religion. Dickens tells us that there are eighteen religious persuasions present in his fictitious city of Coketown, but the working class does not attend. The bourgeois are the only ones who have time to attend church services because the proletariat must work or recuperate in order to work. Another example of the impact industrial capitalism has on society is that of the School established by Gragrind so that he can contaminate scores of children with his philosophy that strictly incorporates fact, rational, and self-interest. Gradgrind’s own children are products of this philosophy and grow up to be miserable emotionless creatures. Dickens presents the proletariat’s inability to conform to this system through Sissy Jupe, daughter of a circus clown, who is adopted by Gradgrind. Sissy is unable to comprehend the Gradgrind philosophy and becomes a loving and compassionate woman. The impact of Industrial capitalism on the relations between classes is also portrayed in Dickens Hard Times. Dickens provides evidence of discrimination between the classes through the story of lovelorn Stephen Blackpool a “Hand ” in Bounderby’s factory. Blackpool approaches his boss for advice because he wishes to divorce his wandering drunkard of a wife and marry his true love Rachel another “Hand” in the factory. Bounderby bluntly informs Blackpool that he cannot divorce his wife because he can not pay the price of the necessary procedures. Another incident of discrimination between the classes arises when young Tom Gradgrind robs Bounderby’s bank. Blackpool is framed for the robbery even though he left town before it happened. Eventually he attempts to return and clear his name, but falls down old hell shaft. Poor Stephen is pulled out in time to proclaim his innocence as well as his love for Rachel before he drops dead. The discrimination of the classes is seen when Tom the real culprit is able to escape before being punished an accomplishment that would be difficult to achieve without the status and wealth of the bourgeois class. The characters of Hard Times have one thing in common; they all manage to get into difficult situations. The difference between those in the bourgeois and the proletariat is the options and ability to escape from these difficult situations. Thomas Gradgrind a successful merchant who became a politician became disillusioned with a philosophy based on fact, rationality, and self-interest. Gradgrind then established a school that corrupted the minds of hundreds of little children including his own. Gradgrind realizes the error of this philosophy when his daughter has a break down at his feet. Fortunately for Gradgrind and the children of England he is able to redeem himself and dedicates the rest of his life to helping the poor. Josiah Bounderby the proprietor of a factory and bank also finds himself in a terrible mess. Bounderby has dedicated his life to telling a lie. He proclaims to be a self made man; born in a ditch and now a successful business man. Unfortunately his mother is appears and reveals the truth about Bounderby’s typical middle class childhood in which he was loved as well as educated. Stephen Blackpool an employee of Bounderby also finds himself in difficult situations; however, these circumstances are not his fault. Poor Stephen is married to a wandering drunk of a woman and cannot get a divorce to marry his true love. Stephen’s life is further complicated when he refuses to join a workers union. His co-workers reject him and Bounderby fires him for refusing to become spy. Stephen’s suffering ends after he falls down “old hell shaft” . He is discovered and extracted in time to proclaim his love to Rachel before death ends his suffering. The women of Hard Times also manage to get themselves into difficult situations. However, a difference in class can be seen as some are able to overcome ...