How Does Charles Dickens shows His Dislike for the Education System in Hard Times?

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How Does Charles Dickens Shows His Dislike for the Education System in Hard Times? Charles Dickens novel “Hard Times” is set during the Industrial Revolution and reflects life at that period of time. The novel reveals Dickens disapproval of the utilitarian education system, which involves teaching children nothing but facts. He shows his dislike through his language and tones the various settings of the main action and through spiraling character development. Dickens uses Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. McChoakumchild as examples of characters who teach children only facts. This is clearly demonstrated even in their names. The word Grind indicates that he is grinding down the children’s imaginations. It also illustrates that he is being very aggressive and forceful. Mr. McChoakumchild’s, name suggests to readers that he is chocking children and merely stuffing facts in their mind. Dickens further criticizes the utilitarian education system by using such techniques, as metaphor and repetition (never ever,” “fact fact fact, Stick to Facts, Sir!” (p.11) to emphasize that this is system base on facts and nothing is going to change. Dickens also uses sarcasm and exaggeration to show how this limits the children’s creativity and thus their quality of life. One example) He further illustrates the problems with his use of ironic key titles such as “One Thing Needful” meaning only facts are necessary, “Never Wonder”, meaning no imagination is wanted, and “Murdering the Innocents” meaning the system in place is slaughtering the children’s imagination. Dickens is clearly disgusted with Coketown, as well as its homes, factories and schoolrooms, all of which he is critical and disapproving. Strong imagery is used to convey the ugliness of Coke... ... middle of paper ... ...an. From Dickens point of view, Bitzer has no emotion of love and behaves like a clone. “Have you a heart?” “The circulation, sit, couldn’t be carried on without one, the circulation of the blood can doubt that I have a heart” (P.281) Gradgrind asks him, this quote demonstrates in ironic fashion and Gradgrind’s model student is completely void of human sympathy and compassion yet he can describe perfectly the functions of the human heart. Dickens makes a strong statement in implying to his readers that the one thing needful is not a Fact, but is instead Love. Those people who follow and believe in this Utilitarian education system will fail inevitably because they lack any emotion or ability to feel in their lives. They will lead miserable, lonely and meaningless existences. Whereas, those that resist, such as Sissy may manage to have fulfilling blissful lives

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