Abstract
This study explores how Charles Dickens presents a panoramic picture of social and moral crimes, criminals, victims and the causes as well as consequences of criminality in his novel Hard Times (1854). By employing Collins' Dickens and Crime (1964), the article provides a reading of Dickens' Hard Times as a crime novel, arguing that this novel is not only a social commentary on England in the Victorian era for the purpose of achieving social reform at the time. It is also a crime novel, portraying different types of crimes with various motives and criminals from different backgrounds and classes. Gradgrind, a follower of the utilitarian philosophy, manipulates his daughter Louisa into marrying the capitalist Bounderby for social and economic benefit, which, as a result, gets her to be exploited by Harthouse. In addition, Gradgrind's philosophy has affected his son Tom who has turned into an idle and selfish person, stealing the bank and indicting Stephen and indirectly causing the latter's death. Stephen is also a victim of the capitalist society and the Divorce Law, as only the rich have been entitled to divorce. By investigating Dickens' Hard Times as a crime novel, the study attempts to provide new insights into reading Dickens' novels at the present time, arguing that they can be reread as crime novels that intriguingly portray crimes, criminals, motives and the dire consequences of crime.
Highlights
1 During the nineteenth century, England changed dramatically under the influence of the Industrial Revolution which made a turning point in society
This study explores how Charles Dickens presents a panoramic picture of social and moral crimes, criminals, victims and the causes as well as consequences of criminality in his novel Hard Times (1854)
What distinguishes this study is its attempt to present the underworld of the Victorian society in Dickens' Hard Times by providing a reading of this novel as a crime novel, as this novel highlight different kinds of crimes committed by characters of different classes
Summary
The increase in the number of population, the growing number of people who moved to cities and their search for employment characterized the life of people in the Victorian society. Poor people were deprived of their rights and treated badly. Some people became richer and enjoyed extra privileges while others suffered from cruel conditions. In their pursuit to adapt to the new environment and its principles, the upper and middle classes were ready to commit moral and illegal offences. The desire for wealth gave the upper class the authority to victimize others. These changes shaped the life of Victorian people in which slums, workhouses, child labour, prostitution, drinking and poverty were the main factors that fostered crime
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