Does Charles Dickens' Hard Times Promote the Christian Life?

In Charles Dickens' novel Hard Times, there is a story of a world ravaged by atrocities of the Industrial Revolution without any appearance of changing for the better. The only apparent solution for such social problems is symbolized through the character Stephen Blackpool. Set in a world regulated by a lacking education system, corrupt Parliament, segregated labor relations, and unequal social classes, Stephen Blackpool is the example of Christian love and the way to lead a righteous life. Compared to the other characters in Hard Times, the suffering Blackpool is a paradigm of a more moral and virtuous existence. Although he is not a symbol of a more radical solution as is common with Marxist supporters like Dickens, Blackpool represents as a Christ-like figure a better way of life.

For the purpose of this argument, the "Sermon on the Mount" as preached by Christ in Matthew chapter five is the main focal point for the way Stephen Blackpool is represented. One of the first points taught by Christ is to realize your need for God (Matthew 5:3). By way of a star in Book the Third: Chapter VI (the star is also symbolic of the Christmas star which guided the wise men to the baby Jesus), the star guides Stephen to the path of God, "I thowt it were the star as guided to Our Saviour's Home"(204). Stephen found "the God of the poor"(204) and finally realized how important it is for the world to understand one another. This shows Stephen's realization that everyone needs Him because Stephen makes it his "dyin prayer that aw the world may on'y coom together more, an get a better unnderstan'in o'one another"(204). Once Stephen sees that God is the way to look towards, Stephen went "to his Redeemer's rest"(204) just as Christ preached that the "Kingdom of Heaven is given to them"(Matthew 5:3) that realize God is needed.

The second point preached by Christ is that "God blesses those who mourn"(5:4). Stephen Blackpool sacrifices his life in Coketown in order to give Rachael a life without any pain caused by him. As he is leaving on that third day, "everything looked wan"(126) and Stephen turned away, leaving "a true and loving heart behind"(126). The deserted atmosphere of the town reflects the sadness present in Stephen's heart. However, as a contrast to the mourning Stephen does for Rachael as he leaves Coketown, Bounderby never shows any feelings of remorse when Louisa returns to her father's estate. The absence of love and a Christian heart in Bounderby is shown best when "at five minutes past twelve o'clock next day, he directed Mrs. Bounderby's property to be carefully packed up"(183) and returned to her father's home. Bounderby then "resume[s] a bachelor life"(184). For those who mourn, God promises that "they will be comforted"(Matthew 5:4) and Stephen is comforted in the end with Rachael by his side as he dies. Yet, unlike Stephen, Bounderby dies alone in the middle of the street without any loved ones to mourn his death. Thus, these two men show the good and bad that happens to those who either trust in the Lord and follow His path, or stray from it and end up alone.

Next, Christ believes that "those who are gentle and lowly"(Matthew 5:5) will receive the earth. Stephen Blackpool is consistently observed as Matthew 5:5 blesses "those who are gentle and lowly"(5:5). Depicted in Book the First: Chapter X, Stephen is "a rather stooping man, with a knitted brown, a pondering expression of face"(52) which gives the impression of him being lowly. Stephen is also described by the narrator as "respectful and patient"(53). Even as he lay dying, Stephen Blackpool showed that he had walked a Christ-like path as he travelled "through humility, and sorry, and forgiveness"(204) for "the whole earth will belong to him"(5:5). Although Stephen dies, his reward is not found in the mortal world, but in the Peace found in the afterlife.

If the ends of Stephen Blackpool and Josiah Bounderby are compared, one can see how Stephen's more "gentle and lowly"(5:5) existence gave him peace and ultimately a place in Heaven. Bounderby was a "big, loud man, with a stare and a metallic laugh"(15) who could "never sufficiently vaunt himself a self-made man"(15) as in complete contrast to the quiet man who "took no place"(52) among the more outspoken men. Bounderby's death is without mention of God or peace or even rest. In the final Chapter "Josiah Bounderby of Coketown was to die in a fit in the Coketown Street"(221). Unlike Stephen who was remembered with great love and respect, no one was there to mourn Bounderby's death nor was there a legacy of peace left behind him. Instead, a "long career of quibble, plunder, false pretenses, vile example, little service and much law"(221) survived Bounderby's death. Bounderby was remembered with bitterness and dislike, so his memory will live on in disgrace and pain rather than in comfort and peace.

"God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice for they will receive it in full"(Matthew 5:6).

During his last few moments alive, Stephen Blackpool asks of Mr. Gradgrind to be the one to clear him and "mak my name good wi' aw men"(204). Such a humble request is later on fulfilled by the family as Tom is prosecuted and charged with the bank robbery that Stephen was framed for. Although it may not be said that Stephen is "hungry and thirsty for justice"(5:6), he does make it his last request of Mr. Gradgrind and as Christ said of those who follow this, "they will receive it in full"(5:6), which does happen for Stephen.

The type of justice pursued by Stephen Blackpool is a honest and quiet request. However, the type of justice sought by Slackbridge is altogether a more violent and oppressive request. Slackbridge is characterized as "not so honest, ...not so manly, ...not so good-humoured"(106) as the rest of the Hands, especially Stephen. Slackbridge "substituted cunning for their simplicity"(106) and regarded those who did not follow his every word with devotion and total belief with "great disdain and bitterness"(107). Now, Slackbridge holds a mock trial for Stephen Blackpool and accuses Stephen as deserter and traitor of his beliefs. The way in which this so-called trial is held and the contempt Slackbridge holds for Stephen does not promote the Christian way of life. Therefore, unlike Stephen who will be called home and receive justice in full by God, Slackbridge is doomed to lose and forever be without the holiness of Heaven.

Christ also taught during his "Sermon on the Mount" that "God blesses those who are merciful"(Matthew 5:7). Among the numerous characters, Stephen Blackpool seems to be the most merciful of them all. A man whose actions show "him for himself"(52), Stephen is compassionate in his treatment of everyone he meets. As the narrator introduces Stephen's wife, she is described as a thief, drunkard, and despot. However, Stephen continues to claim that he "were patient wi' her"(58) and even paid her a monthly sum to leave him in peace. Stephen is also merciful when faced with a charge by Bounderby to turn on the other Hands. Rather than giving up the men who exiled him, Stephen's heart is filled with forgiveness and mercy for he tells his audience "that ha' ett'n an droonken wi' em, an seet'n wi' em, and toil'n wi' em, and lov'n 'm, should fail fur to stan by 'em wi' the truth, let 'em ha doon to me what they may"(113). Lastly, Stephen also forgives Tom for the wrong done to him. For in the end he is "without any anger against any one"(203). The mercy Stephen shows to those around him will be rewarded when he goes to his "Redeemer's rest"(204).

Another point preached by Christ is that He will bless "those who hearts are pure"(Matthew 5:8). Besides Rachael, Stephen is a man of "prefect integrity"(52) whom Rachael is always able to trust. "He seemed to [Louisa] an honest man"(145), even after her doubts about whether or not Stephen stole the money from the bank. Lastly, Stephen sacrifices his mortal love with Rachael in order to maintain a pure heart without breaking the seventh commandment of adultery. Stephen's heart remains pure and for that Christ claims that he "will see God"(Matthew 5:8). Thus, in the end Stephen moves on to "Our Saviour's home"(204) unlike many of the other more unsavory characters. Just as Christ teaches to be pure of heart, Stephen and his accident becomes the poster child of such a belief and what happens when a person does not follow Christ's words. When Stephen is found after days of being missing, he has fallen down the aptly named "Old Hell Shaft"(202) as a symbol of a fall from grace. The reason for this fall is that Stephen "were in anger wi' [Louisa], an hurryin on t' be as onjust t' her as oother was t' [him]"(204). Because there was anger in his heart, Stephen fell into the pit and paid for it with his life. Although the star did bring clarity to his vision, the fact that it was in the midst of anger that Stephen stumbled into the Old Hell Shaft shows how a man cannot walk the Christian path unless he is pure of heart.

Lastly, "God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God"(Matthew 5:10). The most "persecuted"(5:10) man in Dickens' novel is Stephen Blackpool. Stephen has had such a "hard life"(52) that others are able to recognize the enormous amount of difficulties in his life. The narrator beautifully describes the troubles of Stephen Blackpool's existence in Book the First: Chapter X;

"It is said that every life has its roses and thorns; there seemed, however, to have been a misadventure or mistake in Stephen's case, whereby somebody else had become possessed of his roses, and he had become possessed of the same somebody else's thorns in addition to his own"(52).

Such a harsh life is reserved for those who can carry the burden; like Stephen and Christ. Stephen is also persecuted because he is unable to be with his true love. Because of his pure heart, Stephen will not be with Rachael and risk sin. Instead, Stephen is burdened with "the dreadful nature of his existence, bound hand and foot to a dead woman, and tormented by a demon in her shape"(65). To be unable to share his life with the one true "Angel"(68) Stephen loves, is definitely a persecution. Also, as Louisa aptly notices, Stephen is "by the prejudices of his own class, and by the prejudices of the other he is sacrificed alike"(121). Because he will not conform to the union within the workplace amongst the Hands and because he will not betray their doings, the morality of Stephen is unacceptable to those of whom he will not conform to. Just as Christ was crucified for not yielding to the more powerful influences on earth, Stephen is rejected from everyone as well.

Summarily, Christ teaches that position, authority, and money are not important in Heaven and so should not hold a worshipful place within the heart. The only thing that matters is faithful obedience from the heart. Within Hard Times, Stephen Blackpool is the epitome of this teaching because he follows Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" as stated in Matthew chapter five :

3 "God bless those who realize their need for him,

for the kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

4 God blesses those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5 God blesses those who are gently and lowly,

for they will be comforted.

6 God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice,

for they will receive it in full.

7 God blesses those who are merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8 God blesses those who hearts are pure,

for they will see God.

9 God blesses those who work for peace,

for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God,

for the Kingdom of Heave is theirs"(Matthew 5:3-10).

Stephen is also the only character to find peace through God. Each of the aspects mentioned in Christ's sermon are met and expressed in Stephen Blackpool through his actions and his selfless, emotional dealings with others. To summarize, Stephen realizes he needs Christ when gazing at the star, he mourns leaving his love Rachael, he remains kind to his malevolent wife and humble to others, he asks for justice to clear his name, he is merciful to Tom's treachery and his wife's stealing, his heart is pure and faithful in the face of so much faithlessness, he works only for peace to the threat of excommunication from the Hands, and is wrongfully persecuted for a crime he did not commit. Thus, each instance of Christ's words is evident and applicable to the pain and suffering of Stephen's life. Even though some of the other characters, like Sissy, end up with a pleasant life, they are empty without the fulfillment of Christ's love and peace.