The Definition Of A Horse

The extract is taken from Hard Times by Charles Dickens.

The novelist uses both stylistic choices and narrative strategies to convey the idea of a rigid way of education used at the Victorian time.

The juxtaposition of the two words “sparkled” and “cellarage” creates the effect of the grotesque describing the way the teacher watches his students. It also provokes a contrast between light and dark, typical of the Victorian Age.

The anaphoric structure of “A man of”  provides an idea of a man mainly focused on concrete matter of fact reality.  Indeed, Mr. Gradgrind lacks his emotional side. The idea of a harsh man is reinforced by the alliterative repetition of the sound <r> in his proper name.

All the literal devices are used to give an idea of a strong  and squared man.

It is interesting to notice that the novelist juxtaposed verbs like “to measure” and “to weigh” with “human nature”. Obviously, human nature cannot be measured or weighted and as a result the juxtaposition creates a caricature of the protagonist.

The teacher calls his students not with their proper name, but basing on their gender and number. The intelligent reader can understand that he does not care about his students and he has repressed his emotional part. It comes to surface only when he get angry with children that do not what he wants.

Sissy is an unidentified object and she is the opposite of her teacher. Indeed, she is described with her action as a girl with a submitted attitude.

She uses an informal register, she has a strong emotional part and her characterization is in contrast with the one’s of Mr. Gradgring.

The aim of the grotesque is to make people reflects about the conditions of education in Great Britain. The novelist uses this stylistic choice to criticize the way teachers approach to their students.