Questions and Answers from "Hard Times An Analytic Note" by F.R. Leavis

 

1. What is FR Leavis's central argument regarding Charles Dickens's Hard Times?

FR Leavis argues that Hard Times is a profound masterpiece by Charles Dickens, possessing both the unique strength of Dickens's genius and the depth of a serious work of art. He contends that the novel has been undervalued due to a traditional, uncritical approach to English novels that prioritises realistic portrayals of life and character resemblance to actual people. Leavis believes that Hard Times transcends mere realism to offer a powerful moral and social critique, particularly of Utilitarianism, which sets it apart from many of Dickens's other works.

2. How does Leavis view the moral and critical purpose of Hard Times?

Leavis considers literature a potent force for moral and social improvement. He commends Hard Times for its strikingly forceful moral and ethical intention, which permeates all significant aspects of the story, including characters and episodes. Unlike other Dickens novels where criticism might be casual or incidental, Hard Times exhibits a comprehensive vision. Dickens uses the novel to expose the role of Utilitarian philosophy, exemplified by characters like Thomas Gradgrind, in sanctioning the inhumanities of Victorian civilisation. Leavis finds Dickens's critique of this philosophy highly inspired and creative.

3. What unique artistic qualities does Leavis identify in Dickens's Hard Times?

Leavis is deeply fascinated by the art of Hard Times, highlighting Dickens's ability to render a full critical vision without compromising his position as a great popular entertainer. He notes a rare achievement in the novel: the combination of flexibility, consistency, and depth in Dickens's art. This flexibility is evident in the effective ironic school scene at the opening and the blending of irony with flexibility to create a truly dramatic and profoundly poetic work. Dickens's art also allows for the symbolic elevation of characters like Sissy Jupe, and a unique way of rendering moral and spiritual differences in terms of sensation, making symbolic intentions clear through metaphors and concrete situations.

4. How does Hard Times critique Utilitarianism through its characters and symbolism?

The novel's critique of Utilitarianism is built on the characterisation of figures like Sissy Jupe and Bitzer. Sissy Jupe, associated with the horse riders and the circus, symbolises vitality, goodness, and the 'lustrous bliss of sun'. In contrast, Bitzer, linked to the school and Utilitarianism, represents coldness, logic, factual thinking, self-interest, and mechanical existence. The circus and its members, like Sleary, embody kindness, human vitality, and goodness, serving as a powerful symbol of art and triumphant human activity, standing in opposition to the industrialism and materialism critiqued by the novel. Leavis argues that these symbolic portrayals are not sentimental but crucial to Dickens's critique of Utilitarianism and a testament to his genius.

5. What is the significance of the "flexibility" of Dickens's art in Hard Times?

The extraordinary flexibility of Dickens's art in Hard Times is evident in various aspects, particularly the dialogues and character development. Some dialogues exhibit ordinary passages, while others possess the ironic pointedness of Jonsonian comedy, such as the schoolroom scene and Gradgrind's final exchange with Bitzer. This flexibility also allows for the realistic portrayal of an astonishing richness of life throughout the novel. Furthermore, it enables a more nuanced character arc for figures like Thomas Gradgrind, who, unlike the static, Jonsonian Bounderby, is capable of change and admits the fallibility of his philosophy, demonstrating Dickens's art to be more inclusive than Ben Jonson's.

6. How does Leavis defend Dickens's use of symbolism in Hard Times, particularly concerning the circus?

Leavis anticipates potential objections that the symbolisation of the circus and horse riding as human activity and vitality might be sentimentally false or far-fetched. He defends Dickens by explaining that the virtues and qualities presented are true and essential for the novel's criticism of Utilitarianism. He argues that Dickens does not misrepresent human nature. For instance, the portrayal of Sleary, despite his unappealing physical description, as a humane, anti-Utilitarian positive figure is seen as a testament to Dickens's genius rather than mere sentimentality. This approach highlights Dickens's openness to life and his ability to find kindness and virtue even amidst ugliness.

7. How does the development of Louisa and Tom Gradgrind contribute to the novel's refutation of Utilitarianism?

The psychological development of Louisa and Tom is crucial to the novel's central argument. Louisa, raised strictly according to Utilitarian principles, lacks emotional outlets except her love for her brother, leading her to marry Bounderby for Tom's benefit. Tom, seeking to avenge his upbringing, plots to rob the bank. Louisa's eventual breakdown and her seeking refuge with her father, informing him of the futility of his philosophy in her life, represent a pivotal moment of realisation for Gradgrind. His love for his children ultimately overpowers his ideals, effectively refuting the philosophy of Utilitarianism within the narrative. Tom's character is also a sardonic comedy, whose eventual escape, aided by Sleary and his circus performers, further reinforces the triumph of human connection and intuition over rigid logic.

8. What limitations does Leavis acknowledge in Hard Times, and how does he ultimately assess Dickens's overall achievement?

Leavis acknowledges several criticisms against Hard Times, including Dickens's limited understanding of trade unionism and industrial England, his portrayal of union leaders as manipulative, and his lack of insight into the positive role of religion in Victorian industrial society. He also notes Dickens's limited understanding of politics. However, despite these limitations, Leavis concludes that Dickens's understanding of Victorian civilisation is "adequate to his purpose." He ultimately describes Dickens as a "great poet," whose command over "word, phrase, rhythm and image" can be matched with that of Shakespeare, affirming Hard Times as a profound and artistically exceptional work.