Hard Times by Charles Dickens

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Because he is loyal to his master and really need to work. He thinks that the union only will make worse the relationship between master and workers.

6. Chapter 5: Why is Stephen laid off by Mr. Bounderby?

It seems that Mr. Bounderby doesn’t understand his sense of loyalty with his people, but also his decision to withdraw from the brotherhood.

WORKSHEET 3: BOOK THE THIRD. GARNERING

1. Chapter 1: Why is it significant that Sissy ends up being the moral saviour of all the Grangrinds?

Because Sissy is the antithesis of Grandgrind’s system and family. All the system was based on Facts and now, they need of fancy (Sissy) to solution their problems and achieve happiness. She is the personification of fancy, all what Mr. Gradgrind had avoided the whole of his life.

2. Chapter 2: In this chapter, the reader learns new details about Mr Harthouse’s character. Do you think that he really loves Louise? Why (not)?

No, he was just keeping away boredom, he does not love Louisa, and all seems a game for him. He accepts the defeat and does not care is he does not see Louisa again only goes away saying that he is bored up about Coketown.

3. Chapter 5: Notice how for the first time, Stone Lodge is referred to as simply ‘Lodge’ in the narrative. What is the significance of this?

There are feelings, fancy, imagination… They are not like machines, cold and without feelings. There is humanity.

4. Chapter 6. What is the possible symbolic significance of Stephen’s fall and rescue from the mine shaft? How about his death shortly afterward? Why is he said to have found the “God of the poor”? What does that imply? What sort of a symbol is Stephen?

Blackpool: Foreshadow of his death. Stephen: Symbol of poverty and inevitable fate in poor people.

He has fallen to hell (guilty of the robbery) but has been restored to the heaven (he can defend himself, he is innocent). He now can be considered innocent. It was his fate, but he has a heavenly apparition (the star) and now he is innocent and can die clean.

“Dickens's phrase the "God of the poor" is not religious sentimentality but is instead a very pointed phrase that seems two-edged: one side, Dickens exposes the irreligious and hypocritical life of the wealthy and noble individuals who presume themselves to be the moral superiors of the poor. At the same time, Dickens challenges the "God of the poor" for his followers are poor, and in Stephen's case, his good deeds and faith only furthered his doom.”

5. Chapter 7: Explain the significance of Sissy’s description as a ‘fairy’ in this passage: “He (Mr. Grangrind) raised his eyes to where she stood, like a good fairy in his house, and said in a tone of softened gratitude and grateful kindness, ‘It is always you, my child!’” (p. 282).

She is the angel of the house; she is a heroine who is saving his family.

6. The very first thing that Sleary does when seeing Sissy is informing her about family affairs. Why is this significant?

This shows the humanity and warmth of poor people.

7. At the symbolic level, why might it be significant that Tom is disguised in blackface?

Black: sin and shame, immorality.

8. Chapter 8: Why is this chapter entitled ‘philosophical’?

Because Bitzer applies the philosophy of fact and reason. But the philosophy which overcomes is Sleary’s one.

9. Who do you think is the happier character at the end of the story? What does this suggest?

Sissy, fancy overcomes reason. Poetic justice she has acted pretty well in her life so she is rewarded with a happy ending.

10. Find elements of circular structure. In which way does the ending resemble the initial chapters?

As in the beginning the narrator introduces each character in the end each character has an ending.

-Starting with the philosophy of fact by Mr. Gradgrind to Bitzer and ending with the philosophy of fact by Bitzer to Mr. Gradgrind.

-Marriage Mr. Bounderbyto Stephen, ending MR. Gradgrind to Mr. Bounderby.

-The circus.

-Title: Sowing, reaping, garnering.

11. In which way can we define the ending of the novel as a closed ending?

We know the future of every character and how they will end. Good: happy, Bad: not so happy.

WORKSHEET 4 SOME GENERAL QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION IN CLASS

1.The book follows a classical tripartite structure, and the titles of each book are related to Galatians 6:7, “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Book I is entitled “Sowing” (sembrar), Book II is entitled “Reaping” (cosechar), and the third is “Garnering” (recoger). Explain the symbolic relevance of these titles. Which are the seeds that Thomas Gradgrind and his friends sow? What are the effects of planting those seeds? Is it a meagre harvest or an abundant one?

These titles are words used for the agricultural field; it might suggest the preference of the natural world over the industrialized one. The seeds are the children of their school with the basis of fact. The plantation is bad; the children are mechanized, cold and unhappy. Bad one, it is a meagre harvest.

2. What is “fancy” associated with in the book? What notions do Gradgrind and his friends have about “fancy”?

It is associated with feelings, imagination and creativity. Fancy is no useful, is something that must be avoided.

3. How is fancy undervalued by the Utilitarian characters? What pejorative terms to they use?

“Destructive nonsense” (1.7), “vulgar curiosity” (page 22), “idle imagination” (page 22). Fancy is something