Page 109 - The Gonzaga Record 1986
P. 109
The irreversible repetition of these falsehoods reinforces our gross im-
pression of pompous Bounderby who is physically as well as egoistically
'inflated like a balloon'.
Although Dickens condemns Bounderby from the outset, his
condemnation of the moral climate in which industralists thrive is less
obvious. Dickens ridicules such individuals by reducing them to satirical
caricatures. However, if Bounderby, Mrs Sparsit, Harthouse, Stephen
Blackpool and Tom Gradgrind Gnr) were examples of what industrial
society produced, then this is easily sufficient condemnation of 'the
system'.
Dickens perceived that there was a quality in all people - humanity
- which although sometimes obscure was profoundly indifferent to both
extremes of socialism and individualism. Gradgrind provided everything
for his children except the joy of imagination. In the early parts this
world of imagination is represented by the circus. Dickens' sympathy is
obviously with this world because of its humanity and benevolence, but
it certainly does seem idealized beyond reality. Sleary would appear to be
of the same opinion as Dickens - 'Make the betht of it, not the wutht',
'it' being life.
At no point in the novel is there evidence to prove that the circus world
is capable of overcoming the problems of the real world. Being humane
and benevolent it is nevetheless necessary for enjoyment and survival.
-The circus people are vessels of those simple virtues of sympathy and
helpfulness for which the system possessed no room. They are a pious
hope for the advancement of truth. Therefore, the circus creates a moral
distinction rather than a social distinction.
The circus world and the utilitarian world inevitably confront each
other - one being the world of generous feeling and the other the sphere
of nationalised greed. Because of his heartless philosophy, Gradgrind is
struck down through his family is ultimately saved. Only the circus
survives in the end of the novel, useless according to utilitarian standards,
but giving people the joy and imagination which make life in the
industrialised world bearable.
Ciaran Ramsay (S.4)
107
pression of pompous Bounderby who is physically as well as egoistically
'inflated like a balloon'.
Although Dickens condemns Bounderby from the outset, his
condemnation of the moral climate in which industralists thrive is less
obvious. Dickens ridicules such individuals by reducing them to satirical
caricatures. However, if Bounderby, Mrs Sparsit, Harthouse, Stephen
Blackpool and Tom Gradgrind Gnr) were examples of what industrial
society produced, then this is easily sufficient condemnation of 'the
system'.
Dickens perceived that there was a quality in all people - humanity
- which although sometimes obscure was profoundly indifferent to both
extremes of socialism and individualism. Gradgrind provided everything
for his children except the joy of imagination. In the early parts this
world of imagination is represented by the circus. Dickens' sympathy is
obviously with this world because of its humanity and benevolence, but
it certainly does seem idealized beyond reality. Sleary would appear to be
of the same opinion as Dickens - 'Make the betht of it, not the wutht',
'it' being life.
At no point in the novel is there evidence to prove that the circus world
is capable of overcoming the problems of the real world. Being humane
and benevolent it is nevetheless necessary for enjoyment and survival.
-The circus people are vessels of those simple virtues of sympathy and
helpfulness for which the system possessed no room. They are a pious
hope for the advancement of truth. Therefore, the circus creates a moral
distinction rather than a social distinction.
The circus world and the utilitarian world inevitably confront each
other - one being the world of generous feeling and the other the sphere
of nationalised greed. Because of his heartless philosophy, Gradgrind is
struck down through his family is ultimately saved. Only the circus
survives in the end of the novel, useless according to utilitarian standards,
but giving people the joy and imagination which make life in the
industrialised world bearable.
Ciaran Ramsay (S.4)
107
