Hard Times Women's Plight
History of England
Paper #1
February 23, 2014
The Plight of English Women
Hard Times by Charles Dickens, and Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe illustrate the role of women in British society from the 16th to 19th century. Specifically, the female characters from Moll Flanders and Hard Times contrast one another through the hardships they encounter as a direct consequence of their gender and social standing. The books indicate a slow progression and expansion of women’s roles in Britain over time. However, the progression of women in British society was impeded by a malnourished educational system, the framework of gender roles in society, and isolation as a result of dependence on men. Prior to the 19th century there were very few schools for children in Britain and those that did exist, were run by the church. During this time, those who achieved higher learning only did so to fulfill a more privileged role in society such as acquiring a trade apprenticeship. However, education begins in the home. Moll Flanders was raised in America after her mother pleaded her belly in Newgate Prison. The education system progresses from 17th to 19th century, as evident in Hard Times, where the children attend school and learn many subjects such as foreign language and geography. However, education is still limiting, especially for Sissy. “Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them” (Dickens 1, 1). The minds of children in Britain are expanded through education, but this progression still limits creativity, effectively limiting girls such as Sissy from nurturing their creativity and abstract thought. This is a major theme of Hard Times, highlighting the restrictive thought in Britain at the time. Education is a powerful tool because education levels leads to a level playing field for women and men. Women who are educated
Paper #1
February 23, 2014
The Plight of English Women
Hard Times by Charles Dickens, and Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe illustrate the role of women in British society from the 16th to 19th century. Specifically, the female characters from Moll Flanders and Hard Times contrast one another through the hardships they encounter as a direct consequence of their gender and social standing. The books indicate a slow progression and expansion of women’s roles in Britain over time. However, the progression of women in British society was impeded by a malnourished educational system, the framework of gender roles in society, and isolation as a result of dependence on men. Prior to the 19th century there were very few schools for children in Britain and those that did exist, were run by the church. During this time, those who achieved higher learning only did so to fulfill a more privileged role in society such as acquiring a trade apprenticeship. However, education begins in the home. Moll Flanders was raised in America after her mother pleaded her belly in Newgate Prison. The education system progresses from 17th to 19th century, as evident in Hard Times, where the children attend school and learn many subjects such as foreign language and geography. However, education is still limiting, especially for Sissy. “Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them” (Dickens 1, 1). The minds of children in Britain are expanded through education, but this progression still limits creativity, effectively limiting girls such as Sissy from nurturing their creativity and abstract thought. This is a major theme of Hard Times, highlighting the restrictive thought in Britain at the time. Education is a powerful tool because education levels leads to a level playing field for women and men. Women who are educated
Bibliography: Defoe, Daniel. Moll Flanders. Cutchogue, NY: Buccaneer, 1987. Print. Dickens, Charles. Hard times. New York: Knopf, 1992. Print.