How Does Dickens explore the conflict between "The Wisdom of the Heart and the wisdom of the Head"?

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Rochelle Enticknap                11th September 2002

How Does Dickens explore the conflict between "The Wisdom of the Heart and the wisdom of the Head"?

Throughout the novel “Hard Times” by Charles Dickens, there is an underlying theme, of the “wisdom of the head” and “the wisdom of the heart.” Dickens brings across these ideas using the characters of his novel. For example, in the beginning, it appears as though characters (such as Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby) functioning on the belief of the wisdom of the head, whereas contradicting characters, (such as Sissy, and Louisa) appear to believe in the wisdom of the heart.

For example, the start of the novel opens in a classroom, which is where children are taught how to think. In this particular class, the students are being told that they are to learn nothing, but straightforward facts. In the book, the word “fact” has been emphasized by always spelling it with a capital later.

We later learn that the man speaking these words is none other then Mr. Gradgrind. The character of Thomas Gradgrind undergoes a dramatic change throughout the course of the novel, and it is he that suggests to the reader, the concept of “the wisdom of the heart, and the wisdom of the head”. As I previously stated, in the beginning of the novel, (the first two books), Gradgrind comes across, as having the philosophy that logical thinking is the only way things can be understood. (Namely believing solely in the wisdom of the head). However, after Louisa’s almost nervous breakdown, he admits that he does not know how to help, because he has always relied on the wisdom of the head, and should perhaps learn that of the heart.

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Some persons hold,” he pursued, still hesitating, “that there is a wisdom of the Head, and that there is a wisdom of the Heart. I have not supposed so; but, as I have said, I mistrust myself now.

This quote is Dickens’ way of explaining to the reader, how each of his characters appears to stand for a particular way of life.

The idea of the wisdom of the heart is carried across to us, in characters such as Rachael. By this, I mean that her character, (not unlike that of Sissy’s) is extremely compassionate and caring ...

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