... the idea of utilitarianism. Everything about Mr. Gradgrind exemplifies his convictions, even his name. Grad and grind both suggest that he is "grinding" the facts into these children's minds. The children are mere "vessels" for transporting information. The man has even got a square finger. "The speaker's square forefinger ... sentence with a line on the schoolmaster's sleeve. Gradgrind is described as having a "square wall of a forehead", and as having a " mouth, which was wide, thin and hard set". He also has a " voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial", and "hair, which bris...

• Word Count: 2948
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School