YEAR 13 Monday 30th Jan 2017

WILL SELF...Teaching to the test..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08bbpr5
Listen to this resource from Radio 4. The great Will Self discusses the obsession with testing students.

This session considered the question:
THE MAIN CONCERN OF DICKENS IN THIS NOVEL IS THE ABUSE OF POWER.
To what extent do you agree with this assessment of the novel?

The class discussion explored the question in relation to the Utilitarian educational philosophy, Bounderby and his ignorance and dismissive attitude toward working people and the significance of the trade union narrative. Below is a potential essay structure that should help students construct a coherent critical narrative.

STRUCTURE

• Begin with a very brief introduction that allows the examiner to comprehend the critical direction of your response. This is a novel about the abuse of power, especially when considering the Utilitarian education system, but it also explores the destructive nature of Boundary's ignorance and arrogance, the trade union failing to respect the freedom of the individual, and the destructive indifference of Members of Parliament. The politicians seem to have very little interest in using their power to create a fairer world. Do they actually appreciate the power that they have to improve society? Students could also discuss Dickens' use of Gradgrind and how he presents this character as a symbol of hope and change. He unwittingly abuses his power but realises his error and becomes a compassionate father and compassionate politician.

• The first paragraph could explore the Utilitarian system and how the adults directing this system abuse their power to educate children. Obviously Dickens presents his contempt of this form of education through one teacher being named  'M'Choakumchild'  and the title of the second  chapter being titled 'Murdering the Innocents'. OBVIOUSLY Bitzer is used to shape the idea that this form of learning dehumanises young people and creates incredibly cruel adults incapable of empathy and compassion. Self-interest appears to be at the heart of this philosophy and this clearly angers Dickens. Why does Dickens despise this system? What is his ideal form of education? STUDENTS MUST EXPLORE HOW DICKENS USES SYMBOLISM TO SHAPE MEANING. Refer to your notes. I have given you some key quotes and marked written paragraphs that deal with Bitzer as symbol. Could link to Thomas Carlyle's view that 'men are grown mechanical in heart and head, as well as hand.' This quote could easily be used within the second critical paragraph...or the conclusion!!

• The second critical paragraph could deal with Bounderby.: 'the bully of humility.' Is he abusing his power? Is he aware that he has the power to improve the lives of the factory workers of Coketown? What is his power and does he use it? He clearly believes that the workers are less than human. He refers to them as 'hands'  and 'the pests of the earth.' BE AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MEN AND MASTERS chapter. Blackpool delivers a strangely articulate speech and states that 'the strong hand will never do it...Agreeing to make one side awlus and forever right, and toother side..forever wrong..will never do it.' He is then sacked as Bounderby suspects the 'gold spoon look-out.' This decision leads to Blackpool's death. Why does Dickens contrast the virtue and humanity of Stephen Blackpool with the arrogant duplicity of Bounderby? How does Dickens want factory owners to view the people that work in their factories? Why does Dickens present Blackpool and Rachael as being so decent, selfless, compassionate, and selfless? Why is Bounderby presented as being such a vile human? REMEMBER...the whole of this novel is an appeal for empathy....WHY? HISTORICAL CONTEXT? THE GREAT EXHIBITION of 1851 suggested that the industrial revolution was improving the quality of life for everybody. How does this novel challenge that perception? What kind of change is Dickens urging through the contrast between Bounderby and Blackpool? How is Dickens shaping meaning through the symbolic characters of Bounderby and Blackpool?

• The third critical paragraph could deal with how the union should have the power to represent the and unite ALL the workers but Dickens presents union leader Slackbridge as a cruel bully more reminiscent of Bounderby. Once more, the name of the character is significant, and Dickens describes Slackbridge as an 'ill made' man with a 'sour expression..a sneer of great disdain and bitterness.' MEN and BROTHERS is a significant chapter for considering Dickens' attitude towards the trade unions. Slackbridge is concerned with humiliating Blackpool and Dickens never presents the trade union as attempting to deal with any industrial injustice. Dickens presents the union in a very negative manner and clearly views unions as another means of individual freedom being suppressed. Macauley [1934] described this novel as 'sullen socialism' but Dickens clearly views the union as a negative institution and challenges the view that this novel is championing any single political system. Dickens appears to be encouraging people to respect each other and value compassion and empathy.  He clearly does not believe that the union movement can help working people. Dickens appears to view the union as pointless. Perhaps he has misunderstood the value of workers having the voice of a union. CHECK HISTORICAL CONTEXT. The union movement did inspire lots of reform and did help fight to improve the quality of working conditions.

• Another idea for a paragraph could be to explore the apathy of the political class who seem to use the privilege of wealth to ignore the fact that they could help the suffering of the poor.  Obviously Harthouse is viciously attacked by Dickens. His indifference and philosophy that ' every man is selfish in everything he does, and I am exactly like the rest of my fellow-creatures..What will be will be..' Dickens seems infuriated by the ignorant rich who use their money to become an MP and then ignore, or are unable to perceive, the suffering being endured by the mass of working people. Dickens states: 'It is the drifting icebergs setting with any current anywhere that wreck ships.' Harthouse lacks any form of moral conscience and attempts to have an affair with Louisa. His indifference is potentially destructive. Students could compare Arthouse with Gradgrind who becomes the kind of MP that Dickens believes should be populating Parliament. Could link to CHARTISM. Remember, students must offer an understanding of historical context.

• Conclusion needs to offer a strong personal voice and use some critical commentary to weave within your concluding commentary. Is attacking the abuse of power really Dickens' main concern? Dickens does concern himself with the abuse of power but you could argue that his main concern is REFORM. This novel appears to urge for political reform and human reform...A REVOLUTION OF THE MIND!!

SO FOLKS...this a big essay. You need to show me that you understand this novel. An understanding of author's aim and how meaning is shaped by Dickens are crucial aspects of this essay. I expect a brief intro , THREE CRITICAL PARAGRAPHS AND A POWERFUL  CONCLUSION.

Good luck.

HOMEWORK: Complete the essay and read the Tony Harrison resource.
Below is a previous blog entry that offers some Tony Harrison resources:
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/year-12-27th-june-16.html