How does Dickens use Bounderby's character to criticize the society? What does he represent and what does the final revelation of his true upbringing reveal about Dickens' critique?
Dickens may be commenting on the Victorian Era Upper Class's social mobility. Throughout the story, Bounderby brags that he came from nothing and became something great, allowing the working class to believe that their is so social mobility in society. But with the revelation that Bounderby was born as an upper classman, Dickens may be inferring that there was no social mobility in society and any sense of it was simply a ploy to keep the "hands" in their rightful social place.
I think Dickens uses Bounderby's character to criticize the society of Coketown by showing that society tends to "look up to" the richer class, and even more so when that person worked hard to get to the top. But, when they all found out that Bounderby had been lying the whole time about coming up from nothing. I think Dickens uses this to show it does not matter what class you are in, there is no way you are able to switch social classes. -Sarah Torti
Dickens may be commenting on the Victorian Era Upper Class's social mobility. Throughout the story, Bounderby brags that he came from nothing and became something great, allowing the working class to believe that their is so social mobility in society. But with the revelation that Bounderby was born as an upper classman, Dickens may be inferring that there was no social mobility in society and any sense of it was simply a ploy to keep the "hands" in their rightful social place.
ReplyDeleteI think Dickens uses Bounderby's character to criticize the society of Coketown by showing that society tends to "look up to" the richer class, and even more so when that person worked hard to get to the top. But, when they all found out that Bounderby had been lying the whole time about coming up from nothing. I think Dickens uses this to show it does not matter what class you are in, there is no way you are able to switch social classes.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Torti