Hard Times, written by Charles Dickens in 1854, allows readers to understand the central feel of nineteenth-century England. This book was written during the Industrial Revolution, in which major cultural and socioeconomic changes were beginning to take place. I found this to be a very interesting read and would like to suggest some major themes of the novel that help us better understand this Industrial Revolution and changes of this time:
It appears that Hard Times suggests that nineteenth-century England’s overzealous adoption of industrialization was threatening to turn human beings into machines by thwarting the development of their own emotions and imaginations. One of the main characters, Mr. Gradgrind, is evidence of this. Mr. Gradgrind is a wealthy man who has a unique philosophy that centers on rationalism, self-interest, and fact. He teaches this philosophy to his two children, Louisa and Tom, as well as to the school children at a local school he founded. The mechanizing effects of industrialization are compounded by Mr. Gradgrind’s philosophy of rational self-interest. Mr. Gradgrind believes that human nature can be measured, quantified, and governed entirely by rational rules. However, we learn that this way of thinking presents many dilemmas.
Towards the end of the play, Louisa, who has had many problems because of her upbringing from her emotionless father, finally breaks down and tells him that he is the reason of her unhappiness all these years. Mr. Gradgrind finally reazlies what he has done, not only to Louisa, but to himself.
Dickens’s primary goal in Hard Times is to illustrate the dangers of allowing humans to become like machines, suggesting that without compassion and imagination, life would be unbearable. This truly is the case, and it reminds me of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without a sense of purpose and peace that God's plan has for us, life would be unbearable and purposeless. We shouldn't go about our lives as though we are emotionless zombies, but part of life is fulfilling these roles as compassionate brothers, mothers, neighbors, and friends. Just as Nephi states, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).
Great post LeeAnne! I like how you mentioned the need for the Gospel of Christ or life would not be worth living. It must have been extremely difficult to maintain strong family relationships during the Industrial Revolution without the gospel. I know that the strong bonds I have with my family today are due growing up in a home where the principles of the gospel were taught.
ReplyDeleteThe loss of spirituality from an increase of technology was a big issue during the early 1900's - it was one major factor in the "expressionism" movement. Plays like THE HAIRY APE or MACHINA. They were worried that machines would dull the human spirit and warmth of interaction (they were right). This is were we segue to how computers steal much more of our souls than steam engines (Paging Johnny Mnemonic)
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