Hard Times Group

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krshepard
krshepard
Student
College - Junior

What are the Victorian symbols presented in "Hard Times"?

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Posted by krshepard on Thursday October 9, 2008 at 9:53 AM and tagged with hard times, themes, victorian symbolism.

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  1. suman1983

    eNotes Editor

    The Victoria symbols of the novel can be traced from the attitudes of the people presented in the novel and the two predominant motifs of the novel: industrialisation and utilitarianism. Mr. Gradgrind is the symbol of Victorian utilitarianism, which was founded by Jeremy Bentham. Coketown is a symbol of Victorian industrialisation. Furthermore the attitudes of the people presented throughout the novel present subtle Victorian attitudes. For example Sissy Jupe is a product of the utilitarian belief symbolised by Mr. Gradgrind. Overall the novel is truly Victorian – a real documentary of Victorian society.


    For more details about Victorian background please see the following eNotes article.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hard-times/historical-background

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    Posted by suman1983 on Thursday October 9, 2008 at 11:23 AM