MR. BOUNDERBY 
This extract is taken from Chapter 4 of Hard Times written by Charles Dickens. It is the presentation of one charachter, Mr. Bounderby. Josiah Bounderby dominates the chapter, another character that is introduced is Mrs. Gradgrind, an unintelligent woman. 
Dickens uses a dialogue between the protagonist of the chapter and Mrs. Grundy, he tells her the story of his life. Mr. Josiah Bounderby is Mr. Gradgrind's closest friend. Although he is Mr.Gradgrind’s best friend, Josiah Bounderby is more interested in money and power than in facts. He calls himself a "self-made man" and he always tells stories of how he grew up.

Bounderby's self-presentation is a pure hyperbole. The intelligent reader understands that the story is exaggerated and far away from reality. He tells a story of a childhood of poverty and suffering, a story designed to impress its listeners with a sense of the young Josiah Bounderby’s determination and self-discipline. He was a poor child but now he is a rich capitalist. However Bounderby’s mother reveals that her son had a loving childhood and a good education, and that he was not abandoned. Bounderby is proud of self-made status, having risen to the ranks of the Gradgrinds without the "advantages" of education.

Dickens uses pathos to create interest and pity in the reader. However the intelligent reader realizes that the character is a caricature, because there is an exaggeration of tones and a deformation of the character.

It follows that Mr. Gradgrinds wants to demonstrate that he was able to grow his social position, indeed Mr. Bounderby tells to Mrs.Grundy that he became rich thanks to his work. Bounderby’s attitude represents the social changes created by industrialization and capitalism.