Impact of environment on character from "summary" of Hard Times by Charles Dickens
In these grim and desolate streets of Coketown, where the smoke belches from the chimneys and the factories hum incessantly, the characters of its inhabitants are molded and shaped by the harsh environment that surrounds them. Here, where the pursuit of profit reigns supreme and the human heart is hardened by the relentless drive for efficiency and productivity, we see how the soul of man is worn down, stripped of all tenderness and compassion. In this bleak and unforgiving landscape, we encounter characters like Thomas Gradgrind, a firm believer in the principles of fact and reason, who values logic above all else and sees emotions as nothing but worthless sentiment. His strict and rigid upbringing of his children reflects the utilitarian ethos of Coketown, where emotions are suppressed and individuality is stamped out in the name of progress. Similarly, we see the effects of this environment on the character of Stephen Blackpool, a humble and hardworking man who is ground down by the oppressive system that governs his life. Forced to toil in the factories for meager wages, Stephen is a victim of the relentless pursuit of profit that leaves no room for compassion or empathy. In contrast, we see characters like Sissy Jupe, whose warm and compassionate nature stands in stark contrast to the cold and calculating world of Coketown. Raised in the circus, far removed from the industrial wasteland of the town, Sissy's innocence and kindness serve as a reminder of the humanity that is lost in the pursuit of material wealth. Through these characters and their interactions, Dickens explores the impact of environment on character, showing how the harsh and unforgiving landscape of Coketown shapes the hearts and minds of its inhabitants. In this world where the pursuit of profit reigns supreme, where emotions are suppressed and individuality is stamped out, we see how the human spirit is worn down and crushed under the weight of progress.
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