"Hard Times"
Use this space to copy and paste your response to the "Hard Times" question which will be posted on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Also, you may use this forum to share info and ask questions.
posted by Anonymous at 7:54 PM
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Use this space to copy and paste your response to the "Hard Times" question which will be posted on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Also, you may use this forum to share info and ask questions.
5 Comments:
Thanks to you hard working folks for posting your contributions here. I have just added an "odds and ends" section for any things which you did not get a chance to share in class.
10/9/06, 11:33 AM
Stephen Blackpool
Stephen Blackpool was a man that kept his word and a man of honor. He was a good man, but he was a man that was in between the two social classes, the poor and the healthy. Blackpool was just trying to protect his job and the people he loved around him.
Stephen Blackpool was pulled in many different directions during his life. One pair of directions would be the choice between the Union and Mr. Bounderby. The Union wanted Stephen to be part of it, yet Stephen felt that he would be betraying Mr. Bounderby, and Blackpool could not do that. It was not part of his character. Stephen was pulled again by his obligation to Mr. Bounderby. He was not trying to make Mr. Bounderby mad, but Stephen protected the Union even though the Union did not protect him. “Sir, returned Stephen, with the quiet confidence of absolute certainty, “if yo’ was t’ tak’ a hundred Slackbridges –aw as there is, and aw the number ten times tows –an’ was t’ sew up in separate sacks, an’ sink ‘em in the deepest ocean as were made ere ever dry land coom to be, yo’ ‘d leave the muddle just wheer ‘t is…”(pg. 139). Here Stephen told Mr. Bounderby that he get ride of one or hundred people yet the Union will still stand, and there is nothing Mr. Bounderby can do about it.
“You are such a waspish, raspish, ill-conditioned chap, you see,” said Mr. Bounderby, “that even your own Union, the men who know you best, will have nothing to do with you. I never thought those fellows could be right in anything; but I tell you what! I so far go along with them for a novelty I’ll have nothing to do with you either.” (pg. 140) In this quote, Mr. Bounderby says that Stephen is more loyal to the Union even though the men of the Union do not support him. Blackpool is not more loyal to one side over the other. He does not join the Union because he feels a certain obligation to Mr. Bounderby as he does not rat out the Union because he has to work with those men each day and does not want to make life harder for himself. Stephen character type is the person who cannot pick sides because he has made a promise to Rachel or himself. He a man stuck in the middle by these choices.
Another pair of conflicting compelling desires is between his drunken wife and Rachel. Stephen is in love with Rachel yet his holds his commitment to his absent drunken wife. Blackpool could not get a divorce because he did not have enough money, so he continued to honor his commitment to his wife even though his heart was for Rachel. Even though Rachel seemed to be Stephen lover, the reader cannot assume that because there was not any evidence to suggest that. All that the reader can infer was that they were very close friends with deep feelings toward one another. “I am thy poor friends, with all my heart and my mind,” said Rachel after Stephen has come home late from talking with Mr. Bounderby and Mrs. Pegler. (pg. 80)
In addition to Stephen’s conflicting desires to divorce his wife and marry Rachel, there was the conflicting desire for his wife to be dead, so he could become free of her. “She drew a mug into the bed, and sat for a while considering which of the two bottles she should choose. Finally, she laid her insensate grasp upon the bottle that had swift and certain death in it, and, before his eyes, pulled out the cork with her teeth.
Dream or reality, he had no voice, nor had the power to stir. If this be real, and he allotted time be not yet come, wake, Rachel, wake!
She thought of that, too. She looked at Rachael, and very slowly, very cautiously, poured the out the contents. The draught was at her lips. A moment and she would be past all help, let the whole world wake and come about her with its utmost power. But in that moment Rachael started up with a suppressed cry. The creature struggled, struck her, seized her by the hair; but Rachael had the cup.
Stephen broke out of his chair. “Rachael, am I wakin’ or dreamin’ this dreadfo’ night!” (pg. 83-84)
This quotes describes how Stephen never reacted to his wife almost killing herself. He was in a dream like state, he did not respond to when he first saw his wife grab the bottle of death. Blackpool just watched, and Rachael was the one who stopped his wife from killing herself. Stephen was torn between his commitment and his dream of a happier life with Rachael.
Stephen Blackpool was a man stuck in the middle of every conflict, obligation, and desires. He could never escape his horrible, depressing life because he never took one of the sides that was resented. He took his own side of pride, honor, commitment, and his promise to Rachael.
10/11/06, 9:53 AM
I am busily marking your practice essays in the hope of having them back to you today. My comments so far:
I rate Tyler and Kevin highly for their attention to structure. Their essays are clearly set out. I rate Brandie's essay highly because she provides good background. She introduces the characters well before writing about them. This is important, as the person reading your essay may not know the book (however, you can only use one character, Brandie, to focus on.)
Julianna's essay is strong in its stylistic flourishes. She really manages to get the reader interested early on. Erica Breen's essay is impressive for its scope - she obviously knows the book well and gets a lot in. McKenna's essay is short, but very tightly constructed. She manages to touch on utilitarianism, and never gets sidetracked.
I have done about half of them right now. I will keep going. I would suggest you read everyone's piece and learn what you can. The overall theme which seems to be emerging for this essay is "head vs. heart", but this theme can go wider and deeper if you think of it as a theme of "wholeness". Wholeness entails a proper balance and blending of intellect and emotion, and will also go further if you apply it to the divisions in society (rich vs. poor) which apply to the book. There is much division in the book, little love. So far nobody has managed to get Sleary in - his quotes are key. Also, more on Stephen Blackpool's big set piece quote to Bounderby - about divisions and blame. Even though you are writing about (say) Louisa, you need to connect her to other characters, and use their ideas to support your essay.
more later......
10/11/06, 12:44 PM
No, really, don't blame yourself, Kevin...
10/11/06, 2:52 PM
Nice essay, Rachel! Perhaps the most well constructed one!
10/12/06, 2:53 PM
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