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The use of satire in “Hard times” by Charles Dickens

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In this paper, I will analyse the use of satire in Hard times and the ways Dickens criticizes the most prominent changes brought by the industrial revolution to British society. I will also examine how Dickens challenges the prevailing view of the society that practicality and facts were of greater...

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  • April 19, 2022
  • 9
  • 2015/2016
  • Essay
  • Unknown
  • 9 (sobresaliente)
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The use of satire in “Hard times” by Charles Dickens
Subject: Texts of the English Literature: XIX-XX c.



Dickens’ Hard Times is full of irony and satire, we can see it in characterization,

way of description, setting system, everywhere the novel is soaked up with irony. The satire

is directed against certain evils, abuses, and false values of Victorian society such as

utilitarianism, materialism, class distinctions, hypocrisy and capitalism. In this paper, I will

analyze the use of satire in Hard times and the ways Dickens criticizes the most prominent

changes brought by the industrial revolution to British society.

First, Charles Dickens novel is an embodiment of author’s views on education,

where he, in satirical way, tries to depict the education in the Victorian era and how he feels

about this style of teaching. The author gives us the detailed description of all three

components of the educational system: teachers, pupils and content (and context). The very

beginning of the novel is satirical. We are introduced to Gradgrind who is explaining his

utilitarian theory of education to his new teacher and his pupils, and he is emphasizing the

supreme importance of facts, and only facts: "Now, 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". (Dickens, Hard Times. p. 6)

Grandgrind's system is based on the belief that value of things or actions is

determined by its utility. He thinks that feelings and emotions should be repressed,

throughout the first book he sows the seeds of Fact; where no place for curiosity and

feelings. It can be seen that there is an irony in the manner in which the writer describes this

character, lending emphasis to his statement regarding the importance of facts. His very

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