Dickens'characters derive their life from the fact that they do reveal a certain aspect of real human nature-its individuality.Discuss with the reference to Hard Times

The main theme in Hard Times is utilitarianism, something that Dickens believed robbed people of their individuality. The philosophy of utilitarianism doesn't embrace imagination or individualism and comes into direct conflict with true human nature.

The utilitarianistic society robs individuals of their creativity and stifles their growth both intellectually and emotionally. Statistics, rules, and regulations ruled day to day life, and were believed to promote the "the greatest happiness of the greatest number." In other words, it was believed that facts, figures, and functions were more important than feelings and emotions. Everyone should feel the same thing with no deviation for the greater good of the whole.

"Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections. Never wonder. By means of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, settle everything somehow, and never wonder."

Dickens was unsympathetic to this movement and lay protest through his writing. Utilitarianism was popular during Victorian times.

ruled day to day life, and were believed to promote the "the greatest happiness of the greatest number." In other words, it was believed that facts, figures, and functions were more important than feelings and emotions.