This is a detailed A* essay plan that addresses the question 'How does Dickens present Mr Bumble and what is his role in the novel? ' It goes through the essay point by point, making it an incredibly useful resource to write an essay plan quickly. Addresses critical viewpoints including Victorian ...
How does Dickens present Mr Bumble and what is his role in
the novel? A detailed essay-plan.
Intro.
Firstly, Dickens presents Mr Bumble as a cold and uncaring figure of
authority, who's carelessness for the children he is meant to look out
for. ultimately leads to his moral corruption prevent within the
institutions he is meant to work for. Secondly, Mr Bumble's
selfishness and neglect of the children, is synonymous with his
selfish animalistic drive to self preserve. Dickens suggests that in
the merciless world of Victorian England, peoples only instinct is to
look after themselves, Mr Bumble being a prime example of a figure
who is meant to hold social responsibility but in actual fact, takes
advantage of those around him. Thirdly, Dickens uses the character
of Mr Bumble to draw parallels between the deception and deceit in
the middle class world with that too of the criminal underworld in
order for Dickens to challenge his middle class reader's "cosy"
existence.
1. Representative of the corruptness of Victorian
Institutions.
- Mr Bumble is a cold and merciless 'Beadle', he represents the
unfeeling careless attitude of those responsible for looking after
children in poverty and how the institutions as a whole, rather than
caring for the children, often do the opposite, corrupting and
exploiting them in the name of 'Utilitarianism'.
- Utilitarianism is a philosophy that emphasises pragmatic solutions
rather than moral ideas of right and wrong -> it's scientific and
objective
- Dickens was critical of utilitarianism as he thought it was cold and
calculating and lacked a sense of individual human need -> sees it
as middle-class heartlessness towards the poor. The presentation of
these public figures, like Mr Bumble, of who uphold utilitarian ideas
as corrupt serves to enhance Dickens moral message of the
importance of christan compassion.
- Phillip Horne states that, Mr Bumble is "the most important
member of the local administration."
- His name implies his incompetence and inherently disorganised
nature.
Not only is Mr Bumble disorganised but he also supports and
personifies common ideas about not providing the poor the relief
they need.
-Mr Bumble and Mrs Corney bemoan the effects of the New Poor
Law, thinking it is too generous and allows the poor to take
advantage (186).
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