How Does Dickens Use Allusions In Hard Times
advocating for throughout Hard Times.
In regards to Sissy Jupe, Dickens utilizes allusion a little differently than he does throughout the rest of the book when describing various characters and situations. Previously, Dickens used allusion to emphasize negative aspects of characters and utilitarianism. But with Sissy, he uses allusion to support virtuous behavior and to emphasize the goodness of love, altruism, and the use of imagination; none of which are recognized within the Gradgrindian School of fact. One point in particular where Dickens uses Sissy to support his idea of Christian charity and virtue that would have been instantly recognized by members of Protestant England is when Sissy comforts Louisa. Towards the end of the novel,
Louisa fell to her knees and begged of Sissy, "Forgive me, pity me, help me! Have compassion on my great need and let me lay this head of mine upon a loving heart!" "O lay it here!" cried Sissy. "Lay it here, my dear” (Dickens 203). Sissy accepted Louisa’s plea, and helped her.
Dickens uses allusions throughout Hard Times as a way to underscore additional facts pertaining to characters and with ideas. In Hard Times, Charles Dickens’ intentions for providing Judeo-Christian religious references, or allusions, were to support the opposition of utilitarianism. Through allusion, we are introduced to greater meanings and deeper thought. Dickens explains Gradgrind’s philosophy and the school of fact and how love, imagination, and selflessness were not recognized. We have a greater understanding of the obvious consequences of indoctrinating children to utilitarianism, how only recognizing that way of thinking is potentially detrimental to society, and how fancy and fact conceivably affect our outcomes later in life.
In regards to Sissy Jupe, Dickens utilizes allusion a little differently than he does throughout the rest of the book when describing various characters and situations. Previously, Dickens used allusion to emphasize negative aspects of characters and utilitarianism. But with Sissy, he uses allusion to support virtuous behavior and to emphasize the goodness of love, altruism, and the use of imagination; none of which are recognized within the Gradgrindian School of fact. One point in particular where Dickens uses Sissy to support his idea of Christian charity and virtue that would have been instantly recognized by members of Protestant England is when Sissy comforts Louisa. Towards the end of the novel,
Louisa fell to her knees and begged of Sissy, "Forgive me, pity me, help me! Have compassion on my great need and let me lay this head of mine upon a loving heart!" "O lay it here!" cried Sissy. "Lay it here, my dear” (Dickens 203). Sissy accepted Louisa’s plea, and helped her.
Dickens uses allusions throughout Hard Times as a way to underscore additional facts pertaining to characters and with ideas. In Hard Times, Charles Dickens’ intentions for providing Judeo-Christian religious references, or allusions, were to support the opposition of utilitarianism. Through allusion, we are introduced to greater meanings and deeper thought. Dickens explains Gradgrind’s philosophy and the school of fact and how love, imagination, and selflessness were not recognized. We have a greater understanding of the obvious consequences of indoctrinating children to utilitarianism, how only recognizing that way of thinking is potentially detrimental to society, and how fancy and fact conceivably affect our outcomes later in life.