Throughout Book 2- The Reaping, it seems as though Harthouse’s role is to represent the jaded upper classes, and to become closer to Louisa, and he sneakily tries to accomplish this by manipulating Tom, Louisa’s brother, as he sees that Tom is the only one Louisa really deeply cares for. He toys with people's emotions and disregards their feelings in favour of his own fancy. These actions probably stem from his need for accomplishment, a need that he satisfies by manipulating people wherever he sees the opportunity. A perfect example is shown in the following, where Harthouse is trying to find some leverage to gain Louisa's fancy: 'Is there nothing,' he thought, glancing at her as she sat at the head of the table, where her youthful figure, small and slight, but very graceful looked as pretty as it looked misplaced; 'is there nothing that will move that face?' Yes! By Jupiter, there was something, and here it was, in an unexpected shape. Tom appeared. She changed as the door opened, and broke into a beaming smile... 'Ay, ay?' thought the visitor. 'This whelp is the only creature she cares for’
Harthouse is a very strange character, as it seems as though he is not motivated by love or passion towards Louisa, but merely attempts to seduce her because he is bored.
Because Harthouse sees that Louisa cares a lot for Tom he then goes on to make friends with the "whelp" in order to be seen favorably by Louisa. Tom is his leverage. It is these types of qualities that make Harthouse a complex, believable character. The way in which Harthouse manipulates Tom, shows how sly his character is, he pretends to befriend Tom, and in doing this implies that Tom can trust him, when clearly he cannot. Yet again Harthouse uses flattery towards Tom to get what he wants. (Louisa) This is seen when Tom explains that he was ‘as flat as a warming pan, and knew no more about life, than any oyster does’ Harthouse then says ‘Come Tom! I can hardly believe that, a joke’s a joke’ When clearly Harthouse does think that, as he thinks Tom is stupid and sees him as a Whelp, this shows his sneaky side.
Although Dickens portrays Harthouse as scheming and sly, he is also portrayed as a gentlemen, and is believed to be one by both Mr Bounderby, ‘You’re as gentlemen’ and Tom, as he appears to look up to him, by the way in which he trusts Harthouse and thinks he is his friend.
Harthouse plays several parts in the novel, one of which, is that he brings Louisa and Mr Gradgrind together, because when he tells Louisa he is in love with her and wants to be with her, Louisa flees to her father, Mr Gradgrind in hope of some help. This brings them closer together; because Louisa is not the type of person who would normally go to people for help especially not her father, as she does not like to show her emotions.
