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中国地质大学江城学院阅读A4课程（论文）评析艰难时世中的功利主义 姓 名： 刘文超 专 业： 英语(英日方向) 班 级： 41301201 学 号： 4130120120 评阅老师： 潘婷婷 论文外文题目： Analysis of Utilitarian in Hard Times 论文主题词： 艰难时世 功利主义 人性的摧残 悲剧根源 外文主题词： Britain Industrial Revolution Utilitarianism destroy humanity root cause of tragic fate Jiangcheng College, China University of Geosciences English Title：Analysis of Utilitarian in Hard Times Student: Liu Wenchao Teacher: Pan Tingting A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the course ofReading A4 in Jiangcheng College, China University of Geosciences June 16th, 2014摘 要 查尔斯狄更斯(18121870),英国19世纪杰出的批判现实主义小说家。他的代表作之一艰难时世反映了他对18、19世纪英国工业革命后社会及人们状态的理解与担忧。小说通过生动的现实生活描写和细致的人物形象刻画,向读者展示了英国资产阶级社会的道德现状与社会图景。 通过分析小说艰难时世中两个典型的功利主义者一葛擂硬和庞得员以及其他主要人物的命运，指出资产阶级信奉的极端功利主义对人性的摧残，并且是造成这些人物命运悲剧的根源。关键词：艰难时世 功利主义 人性的摧残 悲剧根源ABSTRACT Charles Dickens (1812-1870), a distinguished British critical realism novelist in19th century . One of his masterpiece, Hard Times reflects his understanding and concern about the state of society and the people after the British Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th century .This Novel through depict real life vivid and portray characters detailed, to show readers the moral status of the British bourgeois society and the social picture. By analyzin-g the novel Hard Times in a two typical utilitarian Gradgrind and Bounderby, as well as other characters around them, it is concluded that the extreme utilitarianism destroys humanity and is the root cause of these characters tragic fates.Key word: Industrial Revolution Utilitarianism Destroy humanity Root cause of tragic fate目 录1 引言12 功利主义的简介2 2.1 创立背景22.2 理论与原则23 艰难时世中的人物43.1 功利主义的捍卫者43.2 功利主义的受害者63.3 功利主义下的幸存者84 功利主义造成的悲剧94.1 婚姻失败94.2 名利双失94.3 生命逝去9结束语14参考文献15CONTENTS1 Introduction12 Brief Introduction of Utilitarianism22.1 Forming background22.2 Theories and Principles23 The description of characters in Hard Times43.1 The defender of utilitarianism43.2 The victims of the utilitarianism63.3 The survivors of utilitarianism84 The tragedy of utilitarianism94.1 Failed marriage94.2 Lose fame94.3 Lose life9Conclusion.14References.151 Introduction Charles Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime. He has achieved popular recognition to a degree rarely equaled in English men of letter since the publication of his first novel. And he created 15 novels in his lifetime, and Hard Times is one of it. The Lesvis wrote: in all the works of Charles Dickens , Hard Times is the book, which contains his all genius , and there is an advantage only this book have, that is, it is a serious art completely.(Lesvis,2002)In Hard Times, the Dickens shows us a wealth of characters, such as the defense of utilitarianism, mercenary Mr. Bounderby; such as the man who believes the truth philosophy hard, and hurts his daughters Mr. Gradgrind; and kind Rchael These flesh-and-blood characters constitute Hard Times this great work. Through depicts these figures, Dickens expressed his criticism of the utilitarian forcefully. Hard Times makes a special and important role in the creation of Dickens, the former Soviet literary critic An W Lunacharsky called this novel On contemporary literature and art for the capitalism, is generally given it one of the most powerful hit . ( English literature,1986) The first half of novel is the groundwork , describing the utilitarian form of existence, while the latter half, highlight the adverse effects of utilitarianism. From three parts of the novels title can also be seen, such as the first part is called Sowing, second part is called Reaping and third part is called Garnering. It is with the intention of providing the readers with a better understanding of Hard Times that I have decided to write this paper .(Dickens,1994) 2 Brief Introduction of UtilitarianismUtilitarianism as a whole is considered to be any moral theory corresponding to which an action is right if and only if it conforms to the principle of utility, or productiveness. Utilitarianism represents an extension into moral theory of an experimental, scientific mode of reasoning because it involves the calculation of causal consequences. 2.1 Forming backgroundThe utilitarianism, is an ethical system which formed based on the modern western industrial revolution.It originated inancient Greece,through the depression in Middle Ages,recovered in the age of enlightenment,formed the theoretical system of systems in eighteenth Century. Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher who founded the principle of utilitarianism. Theutilitarianism that he foundedis known as theclassical utilitarianism,with the development ofcapitalism, has experienced prosperityand height period. 2.2 Theories and Principles The theory of Utilitarianism states that actions should be judged as right or wrong depending on whether they cause more happiness or unhappiness. It weighs the rightness and wrongness of an action based on consequences of that action. Actions are to be judged right or wrong mainly by their own consequences. Nothing else matters. Right actions are those that have the best consequences. The only thing that matters is the amount of happiness and unhappiness that is caused. Therefore the right actions are those that produce the highest ratio of happiness over unhappiness. So in judging the consequences only the wants of happiness and pain are relevant morally. When finding happiness and unhappiness thats caused ones own happiness is to be looked at more important than anyone elses. Every person is equally important as the next when it comes to happiness.Jeremiah bentham said that utilitarianism is:When we agree or disagree to any kind of behavior , we are watching the behavior is increasing or decreasing the happiness of those involved; in other words, in order to enhance the behavior of those involved or in violation of happiness prevail. .People use utilitarian principle to guide action, they are mercenary, interests become the foundation and source of happiness, anything can satisfy personal interests is reasonable and desirable, otherwise, it is unreasonable and undesirable; social and moral standards become unlimited pursuit of happiness, and the root of happiness lies in the self-interest of the greatest satisfaction.However,Manchestereconomistsarebelievers andinheritance of utilitarianism,they believe that people are thematerial things,is the economicanimal,is amoney making machine,is the pursuit ofself-interestof productivity, that somedata andsome sheetcould be sufficient toexplain all the problemsof a society.3 The description of characters in Hard Times Dickens depict many people in Hard Times, this paper classify them into three types：defender、victim and survivor.3.1 The defender of utilitarianism3.1.1 Mr. Thomas GradgrindMr. Thomas Gradgrind is a man of realities, a man of facts and calculations. Fact is the principle on which he brought up his own children and his students. He taught his children science and thought hardheaded men lived very comfortably without music、poem and other art. The house called Stone Lodge is their prison, the blackboard is their oldest memory .Like his names meaning aboutgrinding,hewiped outthe nature of the child,killing their motion,ruinedtheir lives.(Jiang,2006) His children has no happiness. They cant feel any warm from family. But Mr. Gradgrind doesnt care, he still teach them in the way what he think right.When he want Louisa marry to Mr. Bounderby, he said: according to those statistics about marriage from Wales, is actually very important. When referring to these figures, I find both sides of age is not suit in majority of marriages, and in these marriages, the older party, almost three-quarters is the groom. That is the fact in India, in England and in China. The tourist supply the best estimation method to us, also got the same conclusion, which is worthy of attention because it shows this law is extensive.”(Dickens,1994)After study thousands of facts, Louisa married to Mr. Bounderby, even though she doesnt love he.And he also treated his son, Tom, very hard. He delivered all facts into Toms head, that made Tom became very selfish. He persuaded his sister to married with a man she dislikes, just because he want have a good career in Mr. Bounderbys bank. After left Stone Lodge, he found funny all day as revenge of the past time. And he drinking alcoholic and gambling, but good luck not belongs to him. He lost his money, and had a heavy debt .He had no idea but stolen money in Mr. Bounderbys bank, and frames Stephen Blackpool.3.1.2 Josiah Bounderby In the novel, Mr. gradgrind is the representative of utilitarian in thought field; and businessmen Bounderby is known as “hard scalp, iron fist” vicious character, is a staunch supporter and follower the philosophy of Gardgrind. They banded together, hand in glove, dominates the symbol of Great Britain Coketown，which covered by the smoke all days. (Lai,1981)Bounderby shamelessly abused his mother abandoned him. He often blow his own horn about personal talent and struggle experience of self-made success stories, to cover up his evil deeds of exploite workers . He secretly bullying and banned his mother appeared, and only give she 30 pounds a year for live in a village in 40 miles outside of the Coketown, The old woman live a miserable life in the poor country, lonely and helpless. Only once a year, walk a long distance, in a sneaky way for looking her son. Bounderby not only has no flesh and blood, but also loss human nature, give the women who love he with great pain. This lamentable relationship is caused by the extreme selfishness thought of Bounderby. Bounderby represents the vulgar, stubborn naked individualism in Victorian eras.(Lesvis,2002)He deals with money and status, married 20 year old Luisa, as his wife. The marriage without love, eventually led the marriage tragedy to Luisa. Bounderby live a single life, he also is a loser in marriage. If Mr. Gradgind recognized the error in education method in front of the ruthless fact, then, Bounderby will never change his opinion even to death, he will ever admit defeat. Bounderbypreach amercilessphilosophy, he thought the world was ruthless to he, so he has many reason to treat world heartless. He remained a heartless attitude, aggressive. This characteristic is embodied in his speech style: synthetic-aperture, powerful, heavy, assertive, but without a little sympathy and friendship. Because of understand and identify things without emotion, he can easily to conclude,subjective and arbitrary. Mrs. Sparsit is aruined nobility,in order tofeed her families, she work as a housekeeper in Mr. bounderbys family. Bounderby always plays himself down and plays Mrs. Sparsit up in his remarks, in order to fool the public. When Mrs. Sparsit cause his lie exposed by mistake, he fired her immediately.Bounderby tried to buy Stephen, draw him to his side, destroy the unit of worker. Stephen refused him, and suffered his bullying and persecution lately. This forced him to the road of ruin, he had to left his home, and died in misery. Bounderbys relationship with all of them are a kind of the relationship between exploit and exploited, the reason why he break off relations with the people around he, just because he cant get benefit from them.(Wang,2012)3.2 The victims of the utilitarianism 3.2.1 Louisa Thomas Gradgrinds daughter, has been brought upto onlyconsider life in Utilitarian terms. She tries to see everything numerically, either through the hard sciences or through statistical evaluation of human behavior. This is adisaster. She becomes trapped in a loveless marriage, almost has an affair, and spends the rest of her life trying to learn to be a normal human being with feelings. When James Harthouse met Louisa, the Mrs. Bounderby, in her home, he looked around the room. And found, “It containd nothing that suggested a womans hand and thought, there was no cheer, no comfort, and no happy in it. The room was just heavy, rich andugly.”（Wu,2006）3.2.2 Tom Tom is Louisas brother, and is raised in the same manner that she is. He ends up a degenerate gambler who robs Bounderbys bank to pay his debts. Tom then has to be smuggled abroad in order to avoid going to prison. After many years in exile, he becomes remorseful, but dies on the trip back to England. If Louisa is the kid who could have turned out differently, Tom is the worst-case scenario for what happens whenmoralityand emotional maturity are skipped over in favor of facts in early childhood. In other words, when we first meet him, he starts out a cowardly jerk. Later, when he is shipped off abroad to escape prison, he has become a cowardly, jerky, selfish thief. In a way, Tom might be an even better argument than his sister about why facts-only educational systems are such a bad idea. Lets work it out together. To make a reasonably well-adjusted human being, the natural inclinations that a person is born with need to be molded carefully by that persons environment and education. Take Louisa for instance. Shes just naturally caring. Unfortunately, she does end pretty badly as a result of her upbringing, but she doesnt hurt anyone in the process. Unlike his sister, Toms natural tendency is to only look out for himself. The education his father molds him with only gives Tom an excuse for pure, unadulterated self-interest.Toms education gives him an explanation for why its OKto onlylook out for himself. Actually, not just an explanation, but a logical justification! So, Tom goes through life trying to advance his interests and get ahead by using and abusing other people. He guilt-trips his sister into marrying Bounderby so that he can be slightly better positioned at the bank. And at last, he frames Stephen for the bank robbery just because he sees the opportunity to do so.3.2.3 Stephen BlackpoolHe is a power loom operator in Bounderbys factory .Stephen love Rachael but is unable to marry her because he is already married, albeit to a horrible, drunken women, and has no money to get a divorce. A man of great honesty, compassion and integrity, Stephen maintains his moral ideals even when he is shunned by his fellow wokers and fired by Bounderby. After being framed for bank robbery, Stephen ends up dying from falling into a giant hole in the ground. 3.2.4 Mrs. SparsitMrs. Sparsit is Bounderbys middle-aged housekeeper. Shewas born in a high ranking family. Bounderby loves to play up this history. She is jealous of Louisa and, after Bounderby and Louisa are married, Mrs. Sparsit looks for any opportunity to bring Louisa down.3.2.5 Mrs. PeglerMrs. Pegler is the little old woman who comes to town once a year to gaze at Bounderby. She is revealed to be his mom, whom he pays to stay away, because he tells everyone who will listen that he grew up practically an orphan in the streets. Instead, of course, what he has is a mom who loves him so much that shes willing to go along with this crazy arrangement as long as its for his benefit.3.3 The survivors of utilitarianism3.3.1 SissySissy is the daughter of a circus performer, who comes to live with the Gradgrinds as a servant when her father abandons her. She is naturally good and emotionally healthy, so the Gradgrind philosophy doesnt affect her, and she is able to take care of Louisa and to arrange Toms escape. At the end of the novel, she is the only character who gets a happy ending of marriage and children.She is the main force for good in the novel. She is kind, caring, and loving. In the face of being abandoned by her father and then being forced to learn the Gradgrindphilosophy, she never stops being the only grounding, emotionally positive force in Coketown.3.3.2 RachaelRachael is a factory worker who was childhood friends with Stephens wife. She is patient, long-suffering, giving, nurturing, and selfless. She loves Stephen, and Stephen loves her. Sadly, they can never be together, because hes married to a belligerent drunker. Rachael is far too classy to go for an out-of-wedlock scenario. Instead, she lives a reasonably miserablelife asa lonely factory worker, takes long platonic walks with Stephen in themoonlight, and spends most ofher lifeafter he dies taking care of his widow.4 The tragedy of utilitarianismThere are three result about utilitarianism: failed marriage、lose fame and lose life.4.1 Failed marriageMr.Bou