I think that the solely agriculture related book titles in Hard Times relate to the hope and possibility for Coketown to come out of the Gradgrindian society to a time where creativity is nurtured instead of neglected. The first book, "The Sowing," is an over view of Coketown and represents the seeds of Mr. Gradgrind's fact-based knowledge that have already been planted into the society. The beginning of the book shows us the machine-like characteristics of Coketown and the fact-based education that is run by Mr. Gradgrind. However, we see that as Book 1 continues, Mr. Gradgrind's life isn't completely passion-less because of the way that he takes Sissy in, and tries to help her have a better life, even if it is by teaching her only facts, so we see a change already begin to occur. Then, in the second book, "The Reaping," we see that Mr. Gradgrind's life is not as perfectly mechanized as thought before, and his previously planted fact-based "seeds" are cut down. In Book 2, we learn about Tom's numerous problem's with gambling and debt, and at the end of the book, Louisa finally breaks down and reveals to her father the unhappiness that he has caused her. The title "The Reaping" therefore shows that Mr. Gradgrind's philosophy is no longer being able to grow since it has been cut, and it is ready to be gathered and disposed of in order to make room for a knew life style. To finish off the agricultural cultivating process, the final book is called "The Garnering." In the last book, we see a major change occur in Mr. Gradgrind in that he finally begins to show emotion and have a change in heart about his teaching philosophies. He tries to help Tom when he near the end of his life, and Mr. Gradgrind even supports Louisa in her decision to leave Bounderby. This relates to the title "The Garnering" because the final seeds that had been planted from Mr. Gradgrind's mechanical teachings were finally cultivated and were no longer allowed to grow and perpetuate this fact-based knowledge. Therefore, giving Coketown a renewed hope for a knew life style and education not solely based on facts and more accepting of creativity and individuality.
That's a really good point. I never actually related the titles to the sense of hope for the town and the new opportunities there are for the town, now that the fact based education process is over with. Now that you have brought this idea up, this idea of a new found hope for Coketown can be seen on the very last page of the book (288) when it says "Dear reader! It rests with you and me... We shall sit with lighter bosoms on the hearth, to see the ashes of our fire turn grey and cold." The fact that the last book in the novel ends with "It rests with you and me" shows how the old ways of Coketown are now being put to rest and new ways are coming about. Saying "we shall sit with lighter bosoms on the hearth" is used as a representation of the hope that is coming about for Coketown and its new generations to not have to live by the dehumanizing ways that their predecessors did.
I think that the solely agriculture related book titles in Hard Times relate to the hope and possibility for Coketown to come out of the Gradgrindian society to a time where creativity is nurtured instead of neglected. The first book, "The Sowing," is an over view of Coketown and represents the seeds of Mr. Gradgrind's fact-based knowledge that have already been planted into the society. The beginning of the book shows us the machine-like characteristics of Coketown and the fact-based education that is run by Mr. Gradgrind. However, we see that as Book 1 continues, Mr. Gradgrind's life isn't completely passion-less because of the way that he takes Sissy in, and tries to help her have a better life, even if it is by teaching her only facts, so we see a change already begin to occur. Then, in the second book, "The Reaping," we see that Mr. Gradgrind's life is not as perfectly mechanized as thought before, and his previously planted fact-based "seeds" are cut down. In Book 2, we learn about Tom's numerous problem's with gambling and debt, and at the end of the book, Louisa finally breaks down and reveals to her father the unhappiness that he has caused her. The title "The Reaping" therefore shows that Mr. Gradgrind's philosophy is no longer being able to grow since it has been cut, and it is ready to be gathered and disposed of in order to make room for a knew life style. To finish off the agricultural cultivating process, the final book is called "The Garnering." In the last book, we see a major change occur in Mr. Gradgrind in that he finally begins to show emotion and have a change in heart about his teaching philosophies. He tries to help Tom when he near the end of his life, and Mr. Gradgrind even supports Louisa in her decision to leave Bounderby. This relates to the title "The Garnering" because the final seeds that had been planted from Mr. Gradgrind's mechanical teachings were finally cultivated and were no longer allowed to grow and perpetuate this fact-based knowledge. Therefore, giving Coketown a renewed hope for a knew life style and education not solely based on facts and more accepting of creativity and individuality.
ReplyDelete~Jess S.
That's a really good point. I never actually related the titles to the sense of hope for the town and the new opportunities there are for the town, now that the fact based education process is over with. Now that you have brought this idea up, this idea of a new found hope for Coketown can be seen on the very last page of the book (288) when it says "Dear reader! It rests with you and me... We shall sit with lighter bosoms on the hearth, to see the ashes of our fire turn grey and cold." The fact that the last book in the novel ends with "It rests with you and me" shows how the old ways of Coketown are now being put to rest and new ways are coming about. Saying "we shall sit with lighter bosoms on the hearth" is used as a representation of the hope that is coming about for Coketown and its new generations to not have to live by the dehumanizing ways that their predecessors did.
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