Character Analysis of Thomas Gradrind in the Hard Times Essay

doubting Thomas Gradrind is the first function presented in the book Hard Times by Charles the Tempter. He is one of the central figures finished whom the author weaves a web of elaborately connected slips and plotlines. The main central features of his subject ar his mo nonone attitude and air that is mechanized. Mr. Gradrinds opening speech to a group of young students during the opening faceisation embodies his dryness and the onerous point that he impounds in his students heads. Gradrind is exceed described physically as an indomitable carriage, squargon coat, squ are legs, square shoulders by the narrator, which is suggestive of Gradrinds unrelenting inflexibleness (Dickens, 2001, p.47). During the first few chapters, Gradrind expounds his philosophy of designing his rational self interest. He believes that hu troopse nature puke be governed by complete rational rules. He is similarly ready to weigh and measure whatever parcel of human nature and be able to t ell what it comes to. He stretch forths by a joyless, pure memorization surface to education and life. In the novel, his dull draw close regarding education is shownNow, what I want is, Facts. give lessons these boys and girls zilch but Facts. Facts alone are valued in life. Plant energy else, and root out everything else. You offer still form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts nothing else provide ever be of any go to them. This is the principle on which I take on up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. come to Facts, sir (Dickens, 2001 p.47)By this philosophy, he was able to gratification financially and socially. Even his behavior of financial support as a hardware merchant is an implication of his fixation on hard material reality. He withal became a member of the Parliament and this position allowed him to mess up his interest tabulating data virtually citizenry from England. Though he is not a factory owne r, he evinces the spirit of industrial Revolution as he treats batch worry a machine that squirt be reduced to a subjugate of principles of science. Although it seems that the narrators description of Gradrind seems depressing, the last mentioned also undergoes significant smorgasbord in the novel which later catches the narrators sympathy. This is when Louisa confessed to Gadrind that something really important is missing in her life and that she is unhappy about marrying Bounderby. This makes Gradrind sop up that the education system that he has is not perfect.This is also proven when he conditioned that Tom, his son, robbed the bank of Bounderby. later Gradrind realizes his failures, he admits to himself that he is really miserable for relying too some(prenominal) on facts. The dilemmas of his children made him feel and look into making love, compassion and sorrow. He later becomes a humble man and making his facts and figures in greater continuative with the virtues of faith, hope and charity. end-to-end the book, Thomas Gradrind was a man who clings to facts and statistical objects as the only truth. He believes that these are the important things that should be dealt with in baffle to achieve a healthy robust life. This makes him somewhat closed-minded since he whole sticks to his own vision of truth about life. He can be quoted as a perfectionist who strives to make his children perfect and brocaded them with perfection. Ironically, his children cannot absorb all that he was feeding. Thomas Gradrind lives in a reality where he al centerings depends on meanings and calculations. This trait of his was shown in his dialogues such as thisHerein write down the spring of the mechanical art and conundrum of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sen successionnts and affections. neer wonder. By agency of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, mountaintle everything someways and never wonder (Dicken s, 2001 p.89)This implies that he has a scientific and mathematical approach to life. After being a prominent citizen of Coketown he later becomes one of the Parliament members. This gives him a chance to implement a slanted practical philosophy on topical anaesthetic schools. He is often viewed as rationalist, self-involved and cold. In raising and teaching children like Louisa, Tom, Jane, Adam, and Malthus, he sees to it that they are equally practical. They are also always forbidden to comfort emotions and fill their minds with imaginations. He also views love and forbearance as a means of regulating facts and figures. Not until Louisa runs to him in upright distress of the impending misfortune when she marries Bounderby that he realizes the limitations of his philosophical notions about hard facts. disdain his stubbornness and fixation on logic, Gradrind is a great fix to his children. He raised his kids well because he always wanted the best for them. He does things which he counts ordain benefit their individuality. Thus, after hearing Louisas troubles, he makes it a orient to assortment himself and support her in her agony. For his children, he learn to repent for his wrongdoing and became ready to change his ways that caused his childrens unhappiness. The main reliance of Gradrind in the story is his utilitarian point of view regarding facts and figures. Being a man of facts and figures, utilitarianism is manifested in his view of every individual. pref sequencebly than see people as a unique person, he develops a global view of people, which focuses on their productivity and benefit in the society as a whole. He feels that everything in life can be measured through usual calculation and tabulations. Everything can be computed, from home(a) designing to marriage. Further analysis of Gradrinds character suggests that he also mirrors the way people think during the era of industrialization. Charles Dickens wanted to explain to his reader s the ideals and disadvantages of industrialization. Thomas Gradrind is an contour of how an individual embraces the beliefs and practices of industrialization. The way factory owners think during the time of industrialization is shown in the character of Gradrind. They are only after the pecuniary gain rather than the individual deserving of the workers. Dickens created an enduring tale that reflects the issues of an era filled with historical transformation. The philosophy of utilitarianism and its connection to industrialization is given enough meaning through Thomas Gradrinds character. After practicing the fact philosophy, his daughter Louisa made him realize that something is to a greater extent important than the lessons of facts and figures. Before the novel ends, she ends up confessing to her stimulate that there seems to be nothing here but languid and mat smoke (Dickens, 2001, p.78). She complains how mechanized the way her father raised her that brought her such mise ry. It is in the to the highest degree end of the novel that Gradrind realizes and sees his errors. He feels sorry for the way his children suffered his ideological principle. For the first time he did not dwell on facts and figures and humbly felt sorry for what he did, Dickens used Gradrind to tell readers how to realize that there is more to life than facts and figures. He wanted to use Gradrinds character to show that everyone can change pull down the industrialized society during that time.Thomas Gradrind can be viewed by readers as character of change. He changed his philosophical ideals in sic of something more importanthis familys happiness. severally individual has his or her own set of principles. Although it is worth sharing with others, it should not be shared to the extent of imposing it to others to follow. It should also not be used to ascertain other people. Gradrind can be an pump opener for many people who live under the influence of abusive precedent and a uthority. Louisas case made a turning point on her fathers life and paved the way for a better life for his children. flow CitedDickens, Charles. Hard Times. Norton Critical Edition tertiary Ed. 2001.