Hard Times (Education)

            In the book Hard Times I noticed that there are two extremes dealing with the theory of education. There is factual education that Mr. Gradgrind lives by and enforces on his children then there is the emotional theory to education which is seen by sissy in the book. It focuses on bringing expressing your feelings. Joe Whelks, which is Dickens invented character, lived in a place called New Cut. This was similar to the novel because New Cut, which had a theatre, reminded me of the circus that sissys father worked at. You could also tell in this context section that enjoyment was a higher priority than education through the word choice. He used words like “dramatic” and “imagination” and used phrases like “Thoses who would live to please Mr. Whelks, must please Mr. Whelks to live.” Jane Sinnett then makes a good point about Dickens imaginative way. Sinnett states that one would think that a book named hard times would show the struggles of that time such as the relationship between the master and the working man. It seems that she was let down because she did not get a real life nonfictional example of the hard times. In the next section Charles Darwin speaks on the things that he does outside of his work. He admits that he during his spare time he enjoys a moderate amount of music and poetry. This is something that we saw in Dickens character Louisa. In the begging she was all about facts because that was her only way she knew. Later on in the book she developed a small amount of emotion which makes her wonder. I think Darwin is saying that it is okay to step outside the box, so you might spark some type of curiosity.