‘How does Dickens present education in particular Gradgrind’s philosophy of education in Hard Times?
In the novel Hard Times Dickens uses the theme of education in that time to make a point. Those affected by Gradgrind's system of education proves that Gradgrind's method of education was different in those times. Dickens makes the reader question Gradgrind's method and lets the reader decide if it is incorrect or correct by the evidence Dickens reveals.
Charles Dickens creates a character whose system of education is quite different from the modern world. Dickens has created a character, which is not liked by many in attitude and appearance. Gradgrind is described to be ‘square.’ ‘Square wall of a forehead’ Dickens has described his character like this for a reason, to make the reader imagine a very dull and square like character. In the first chapter we find Gradgrind being compared with objects or places ‘his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves’ Gradgrind is not an attractive character to view or listen to. Gradgrind is found to be ‘inflexible, dry and dictorial’. Gradgrind also has a way of talking ‘at’ the students, and uses numbers instead of names, ‘Girl number twenty’ Gradgrind shows no respect for the students and believes he is superior to them. ‘Sissy is not a name.’ Here he tells Sissy that her name is ridiculous and that she should change it, ‘Call yourself Cecilia.’ This shows Gradgrind is ignorant to what the students may want or believe. ‘Now what I want is facts’ Gradgrind's philosophy of education is based upon facts, and has no interest in feelings or imagination. ‘This is the principle on which I bring up my own children’ This shows that Gradgrind not only teaches this to students but his family as well, we see how his system effects his family later in the novel. Also Gradgrind’s children have a study instead of a playroom, and instruments instead of toys, this shows how Gradgrind is no more loving at home then when he is a teacher. Dickens explains how Gradgrind sincerely believes in his system of education, and has found no fault in it yet. This may have been the education he was brought up on himself, and if Gradgrind sees himself in good view then he must believe his system works.
Dickens explains in his novel how this type of education was not pleasant. The teaching was hard, ‘Teach these boys and girls nothing but facts’ A sentence used by Gradgrind, which portrays a picture of a school whose main priority is facts. Dickens explains how the school classrooms were ‘monotonous vaults’ – plain and bare an unpleasant place to work. The description of the school has been emphasised to reveal a dull and boring place. ‘Imperial gallons of facts poured onto them until they were full to the brim’ Dickens is making the reader feel sympathy for students enrolled in this school. Through the novel we can see how different life was compared with the modern world today.
Louisa and Thomas are Gradgrind’s children. Both of them were brought up with Gradgrind’s system of education. Dickens describes Louisa to be very cold towards others revealing no emotion with the exception of her brother Tom, for whom she cares deeply. Louisa is very cold and reveals no emotion, this being from not ever experiencing emotion. To the reader, she is very straight to the point and can sometimes be abrupt. Louisa, like her father is also full of facts from his system of education, but we see how later in the novel Louisa has some trouble coming to terms with the world and its ways, for facts alone cannot explain everything. Tom on the other hand is quite different, he too cares for Louisa, but Tom is described to be selfish and rude ‘Alright mother still on the sofa?’ This was when Mrs Gradgrind was on her deathbed. This shows no consideration for other people, even it being his own mother. Tom also has a tendency to run away from his problems. Tom would rather someone else deal with them, usually Louisa. Louisa believes Tom is the only important thing in her life and she will go to any lengths to make him happy or help him. ‘You may be certain that I will save you at whatever costs Tom.’ This shows both Louisa and Thomas find it hard to cope with any emotion ‘I hate m life Lou, and I hate everything but you.’ Gradgrind has never let his children think for themselves, ‘Louisa, never wonder’. Dickens is showing the reader that Gradgrind has never let sentiments or affections grow inside his children - everything has to be settled by facts and figures. Tom is disillusioned by this ‘I wish I could collect all the facts we hear about so much, and all the figures, and all the people who found them out; and I wish I could put a thousand barrels of gunpowder under them, and blow them all up together!’ This is a result of Gradgrind’s system of education, that Louisa and Tom are different. Would Louisa and Thomas be different if they were not brought up with Gradgrind's system of education? Yes Louisa and Thomas would have been aloud to grow their own sentiments and affections. Where as Sissy previous to Gradgrind's system of education would have been aloud to develop emotions and imagination, ‘About the fairies, sir, the dwarf the genie and the hunchback’ Gradgrind responds with ‘This is a case or rigid training’ this shows Gradgrind does not approve of what he considers to be nonsense and tries to block it out with facts
