The novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens presents the use of “flat or two-dimensional” characters which ultimately signifies a character that is lacking depth in their character and essentially maintains the same character portrayal throughout the novel. Dickens portrays this through the use of placing his characters’ names with their dominant personality trait. For example the character of Bounderby who is identified as a banker in the novel; by definition means “a morally reprehensible person” (Merriam-Webster) thus his character portrayal is presented as a very dishonest character. Through the quote “I am Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. I know the bricks of this town, and I know the works of this town, and I know the chimneys of this town, and I know the smoke of this town, and I know the Hands of this town. I know ’em all pretty well” (pg.240) was prefacing an account of an hard-working and impoverished early lifestyle in which Bounderby strived to break free from. While Mrs.Pegler, Bounderbys’ mother reveals the truth that Bounderby received a nurturing childhood free from distraught therefore confirming the truth to Bounderbys’ name. Juxtaposed to the character of Bounderby we are introduced to the character of Blackpool who is portrayed as an honest, hard-working man providing a strong contrast to the character of Bounderby. Blackpool is the only worker who refused to join the workers union although he was offered immoral acknowledgements for it by the masters, he refused and continued to adamantly earn an honest living as identified in “masters against him on one hand, the men against him on the other, he only wantin’ to work hard in peace, and do what he felt right” (pg.298). We are able to decide that it is a fair criticism that Dickens had produced two-dimensional characters considering the persona of the character was identified through their initial introduction of their name and the notion of maintaining the same character personalities throughout the novel.
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