Character Analysis of Thomas Gradrind in the Hard Times Essay

Thomas Gradrind is the first reference work presented in the accommodate Hard Times by Charles devil. He is one of the important figures through with(predicate) whom the author weaves a web of intricately connected characters and plotlines. The main central features of his character atomic number 18 his mo nonone attitude and appearance that is mechanized. Mr. Gradrinds gap speech to a group of young students during the opening scene embodies his waterlessness and the hard fact that he impounds in his students heads. Gradrind is lift out described physically as an obstinate carriage, strong coat, squargon legs, square shoulders by the teller, which is suggestive of Gradrinds unrelenting rigidity ( daimon, 2001, p.47). During the first some chapters, Gradrind expounds his philosophical system of calculating his rational self interest. He believes that human fondness brook be governed by complete rational rules. He is withal ready to weigh and measure any parcel of hu man constitution and be able to tell what it comes to. He lives by a joyless, staring(a) memorization approach to pedagogy and sustenance. In the novel, his dull approach regarding education is shownNow, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You atomic number 50 hardly form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts nothing else will ever be of any service to them. This is the principle on which I bring up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. co here to Facts, sir ( heller, 2001 p.47)By this philosophy, he was able to triumph financially and socially. Even his substance of living as a hardware merchant is an implication of his infantile fixation on hard material reality. He in like manner became a subdivision of the fantan and this position allowed him to indulge his interest tabulating data about large number from E ngland. Though he is not a milling machinery owner, he evinces the spirit of Industrial Revolution as he treats people like a machine that rotter be reduced to a number of principles of science. Although it seems that the narrators description of Gradrind seems depressing, the latter also down the stairsgoes signifi cannistert vary in the novel which subsequently catches the narrators sympathy. This is when Louisa confessed to Gadrind that something really important is wanting in her life and that she is unhappy about marrying Bounderby. This makes Gradrind realize that the education arranging that he has is not perfect.This is also proven when he learned that Tom, his son, robbed the depose of Bounderby. after(prenominal) Gradrind realizes his failures, he admits to himself that he is really sorry for relying too oftentimes on facts. The dilemmas of his children made him feel and learn love, compassion and sorrow. He later becomes a humble man and making his facts and fig ures in greater connexion with the virtues of faith, hope and charity. Throughout 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 tell apart to achieve a healthy productive life. This makes him somewhat closed-minded since he solely sticks to his own vision of truth about life. He can be quoted as a perfectionist who strives to make his children perfect and raised them with perfection. Ironically, his children cannot bootlick all that he was feeding. Thomas Gradrind lives in a reality where he incessantly depends on meanings and calculations. This trait of his was shown in his dialogues such as thisherein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without crouch to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections. Never wonder. By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, counterbalancetle everything s omehow and never wonder (Dickens, 2001 p.89)This implies that he has a scientific and mathematical approach to life. by and by being a prominent citizen of Coketown he later becomes one of the Parliament members. This gives him a chance to implement a one-sided practical philosophy on local schools. He is often cerebrationed as rationalist, self-centered 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 nurture emotions and fill their minds with imaginations. He also views love and forbearance as a means of regulating facts and figures. non until Louisa runs to him in full distress of the impending misfortune when she marries Bounderby that he realizes the limitations of his philosophical notions about hard facts.Despite his stubbornness and fixation on logic, Gradrind is a great come to his children. He raised his kids well because he always wanted the best for t hem. He does things which he thinks will benefit their individuality. Thus, after hearing Louisas troubles, he makes it a point to miscellanea himself and support her in her agony. For his children, he learned to repent for his wrongdoing and became ready to change his ways that caused his childrens unhappiness. The main conviction of Gradrind in the story is his functional point of view regarding facts and figures. Being a man of facts and figures, utilitarianism is manifested in his view of every individual. Rather than see people as a incomparable person, he develops a general view of people, which focuses on their productivity and improvement in the society as a whole. He feels that everything in life can be measured through universal calculation and tabulations. Everything can be computed, from interior 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 readers the ideals and disadvantages of industrialization. Thomas Gradrind is an embodiment 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 monetary gain rather than the individual worth 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 contact to industrialization is given enough meaning through Thomas Gradrinds character. After practicing the fact philosophy, his daughter Louisa made him realize that something is much important than the lessons of facts and figures. in the first place the novel ends, she ends up confessing to her father that there seems to be nothing here but languid and monotonous smoke (Dickens, 2001, p.78). She complains how mechanized the way her father raised her that b rought her such misery. It is in the near 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 understand that there is more to life than facts and figures. He wanted to use Gradrinds character to show that everyone can change even the industrialized society during that time.Thomas Gradrind can be viewed by readers as character of change. He changed his philosophical ideals in place of something more importanthis familys happiness. Each 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 autocratic it to others to follow. It should also not be used to manipulate other people. Gradrind can be an eye opener for many people who live under the influence of abusive power and authority. L ouisas case made a turning point on her fathers life and surface the way for a better life for his children.Work CitedDickens, Charles. Hard Times. Norton full of life Edition 3rd Ed. 2001.