The use of satire in “Hard times” by Charles Dickens
Subject: Texts of the English Literature: XIX-XX c.
Dickens’ Hard Times is full of irony and satire, we can see it in characterization,
way of description, setting system, everywhere the novel is soaked up with irony. The satire
is directed against certain evils, abuses, and false values of Victorian society such as
utilitarianism, materialism, class distinctions, hypocrisy and capitalism. In this paper, I will
analyze the use of satire in Hard times and the ways Dickens criticizes the most prominent
changes brought by the industrial revolution to British society.
First, Charles Dickens novel is an embodiment of author’s views on education,
where he, in satirical way, tries to depict the education in the Victorian era and how he feels
about this style of teaching. The author gives us the detailed description of all three
components of the educational system: teachers, pupils and content (and context). The very
beginning of the novel is satirical. We are introduced to Gradgrind who is explaining his
utilitarian theory of education to his new teacher and his pupils, and he is emphasizing the
supreme importance of facts, and only facts: "Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys
and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out
everything else". (Dickens, Hard Times. p. 6)
Grandgrind's system is based on the belief that value of things or actions is
determined by its utility. He thinks that feelings and emotions should be repressed,
throughout the first book he sows the seeds of Fact; where no place for curiosity and
feelings. It can be seen that there is an irony in the manner in which the writer describes this
character, lending emphasis to his statement regarding the importance of facts. His very
Subject: Texts of the English Literature: XIX-XX c.
Dickens’ Hard Times is full of irony and satire, we can see it in characterization,
way of description, setting system, everywhere the novel is soaked up with irony. The satire
is directed against certain evils, abuses, and false values of Victorian society such as
utilitarianism, materialism, class distinctions, hypocrisy and capitalism. In this paper, I will
analyze the use of satire in Hard times and the ways Dickens criticizes the most prominent
changes brought by the industrial revolution to British society.
First, Charles Dickens novel is an embodiment of author’s views on education,
where he, in satirical way, tries to depict the education in the Victorian era and how he feels
about this style of teaching. The author gives us the detailed description of all three
components of the educational system: teachers, pupils and content (and context). The very
beginning of the novel is satirical. We are introduced to Gradgrind who is explaining his
utilitarian theory of education to his new teacher and his pupils, and he is emphasizing the
supreme importance of facts, and only facts: "Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys
and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out
everything else". (Dickens, Hard Times. p. 6)
Grandgrind's system is based on the belief that value of things or actions is
determined by its utility. He thinks that feelings and emotions should be repressed,
throughout the first book he sows the seeds of Fact; where no place for curiosity and
feelings. It can be seen that there is an irony in the manner in which the writer describes this
character, lending emphasis to his statement regarding the importance of facts. His very
