Characters Representing Fact or Fancy: The ‘Key-Note’

Which Unveils Humanity Throughout history there have been many classic works of literature which demand the respect and attention of the public. However, there is a somewhat less well-known novel which deserves equal attention, Hard Times by Charles Dickens. This short novel is perhaps Dickens’ most thought provoking work and captures the sentiment of his time. Within this story there is a combating theme of fact versus fancy and the characters reveal the soul of humanity by the extremes of their situations. The backdrop of the novel, the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, provides the perfect setting for the conflicting ways of life. It is in this epitome of climatic sociological change that we are able to find the true heart of man.

In order to understand the true meaning of Charles Dickens’ Hard Times, one must know the history of the age and the tribulations of the era. Charles Dickens lived during a period of rapid growth in industry. Unfortunately, this growth was at the expense of the people. The Industrial Revolution was a critical period for the entire

world. While its products were eco

streams of gold they set flowing slip through their fingers into the pockets of men who revile and oppress them”(Laurence 28). Bounderby is a pure example of how industrialization corrupts the soul and causes the mind to reduce everything to mere facts (Oliphant 150).

The clouds which cover all of Coketown are produced by the factories. The smog is so thick that sunshine barely can penetrate through to the people. This inability to see the sun represents the lack of hope within the town. The overpowering clouds leave no room for imagination and provides proof of the reality which Gradgrind and Bounderby

enforce, facts shall overcome fancy.

Industrialization controls Coketown and its inhabitants. The idea of mechanization is evident throughout the novel. Eventually, the machines of the era take over the town:

Some topics in this essay:
Leavis Bounderby, Industrial Revolution, Thomas Jr, Louisa Gradgrind, Stephen Dickens, Stephen Blackpool, Thomas Gradgrind, Josiah Bounderby, Jupe Sissy, Charles Dickens, thomas gradgrind, soul humanity, hard times, industrial revolution, charles dickens, heart humanity, throughout novel, sissy jupe, division fancy, fanciful imagination,