" Hard Times"

 This task is given by Barad Dilipsir 

1. Review of the Hindi play based on 'Hard Times' :

 The Hindi play based on " Hard Times " it was well perfomed with many symbols in the novel by Charles Dickens uses in the story. The novel and play begin with Mr. Grangrind's school scene when Tom , Luisa , Cecily Cardew Mr. Choakumchild . Mr.Grandgrind and Mr. choakumchild taught children to believe in facts not in feelings.

Then,  Cecily’s speech and she emphasizing on emotions rather than facts. But, Mr . Grangrind and Mr.choakumchild refused her to don't believe in emotions. In the second image Mr.Bounderby refused Stephen Blackpool for giving money. Stephen want money for take a divorce from his wife. Mr.Bounderby insulting Stephen. 

Then , The another image is about symbol of Staircase of Louisa. She starts to fall in love of Harthouse. Mrs. Sparsit waiting for Louisa's fault. 

There are many another important events or symbols in the play. It also reflect the condition of Dicken's society and issues. 

2. Discuss the theme of 'Utilitarianism' with illustrations from the novel:

Utilitarianism at this time became a popular philosophical school of thought among the educated classes. Developed by political economist John Stuart Mill and social reformer Jeremy Bentham, utilitarianism rested on the idea that self-interest drives all human behavior, and one must evaluate actions by their potential to create pleasure rather than pain to the individual. Understanding the facts, rather than the emotional implications or imagined outcomes, of a given situation is essential to such evaluation. On a larger moral scale, goodness also can be evaluated according to the consequences of actions and how much good or evil those consequences might bring to how many people. In this way one can analyze and quantify human behavior in ways that were very new compared with philosophies of the past.

       In Hard Times, the utilitarian model led Dickens to satirize and exaggerate both Mr. Bounderby's and Mr.Gradgrind's strict reliance on fact and reason to assess situations and make decisions. Mr. Gradgrind,especially, must face the consequences of such extreme pedagogy when he sees emotional barrenness as its result—in Louisa's passivity and inability to deal with emotion, in Tom's detached sense of entitlement and rebellion against the lack of amusement, and in Bitzer's uncompromising rigidity and soullessness in acting only as he was trained to.

3.Discuss the views of F.R. Leavis and J.B. Priestley on 'Hard Times'. With whom do you agree? Why?

In this both reviews I agree with F.R.Leavis views for " Hard Times." He had a high regard for "Hard Times." In his seminal work "The Great Tradition," he praised the novel for its powerful critique of Utilitarianism and its exploration of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.

Leavis argued that Dickens, through "Hard Times," achieved a remarkable balance between moral purpose and artistic expression. He admired the novel's ability to blend satire, melodrama, and pathos into a coherent and powerful whole. Leavis particularly highlighted the novel's exploration of themes like the importance of imagination, the dangers of materialism, and the need for human connection. 

But J.B .Priestley said it " Black Novel ". I don't agree with this statement. Because Dickens point out his social problems in this novel.

● My reference source :

https://www.mankarcollege.ac.in/studyMaterial/14540Study_Materials_on_Hard_Times__CC10__Hons._Sem_IV.pdf

Thank you..