The Victorian Education system as presented in Hard Times :: English Literature

The Victorian Education system as presented in Hard TimesFrom the proto(prenominal) beginnings of Hard Times, we can tell that this novelwas originally intended to shock those reading it. The study thatthese children receive is harsh and designed to stem any feelings ofself-opinion. When Gradgrind interrogated girl fleck 20, he provedthat their education was more strict and when he later humiliated herwhen he asked her to describe a horse, he proved that the Victorianeducation system was solely based on fact and allowed no room for itto be questioned.This was even the case in such incidents as where Sissy states thatshe would want flowers on her carpets. Gradgrinds wish to outlawfancy in her thoughts, mean that at some points during the dialogue,Gradgrind can begin to sound absurd in his words. Dickens to a great extentobjects to the mechanical way of teaching in Gradgrinds utilitarianschool. As early as in the second chapter the reader notices that thefacts taught in this kind of school restrain no use at all in normal life.Sissy, with her natural understanding of a horse contradicts the colddefinition of a horse by Bitzer Quadruped .....What makes that situation worse is that later on, Gradgrind, who takescharge of Sissys education, forces her from learning on her abilityto comprehend that she cannot believe in what she wishes.They are stifled in their environment, prisoners of a macrocosm ofutilitarianism. Gradgrinds school is very plain and bare, Dickensdescribing it as a monotonous vault, and being intenselywhitewashed. For pupils having to learn in this kind of environmentwould be extremely boring, and no encouragement is given to exercise