The Fate of Tom Gradgrind

Tom Gradgrind, one of the children raised in the Gradgrind household in Charles Dickens’ book Hard Times, is one of the pivotal characters in the novel; both in terms of theme as well as plot development. The son of Thomas Gradgrind and beloved brother of Louisa Gradgrind, Tom embodies the unabashed self-interest that Dickens depicts throughout the novel as a problem within a society etched in the ideals of hard facts. Although for the majority of the novel Tom appears to be a self-centered opportunist, there are instances where he demonstrates appreciation – and even humane affections – towards his sister Louisa that foreshadow a possible reformation for the character. His feelings towards Louisa, combined with the fact that Dickens occasionally suggests that Tom is unaware of the depravity of his thoughts and actions and regards them as natural human behavior, make his eventual fate of remorse and isolation plausible and appropriate.

Tom’s subliminal love for Louisa can be seen in various occasions despite his depiction as a person devoid of care for anybody but himself. When they are younger, Tom is very verbal about his fondness for his sister, making such statements as, “You [Louisa] are the only pleasure I have – you can brighten even this place” (Dickens 88). As he grows up to become more guided by self-interest, there is still some retention of this fondness. This can be seen even during some of Tom’s most selfish moments. An example is when he attempts to use Louisa for his own advancement by asking her to marry Bounderby; Dicken’s writes, “Her brother glanced at her face with greater interest than usual” (Dickens 128). The comparative way in which Dickens structures this statement shows that he is not simply looking at...

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...oughout the novel, Dickens constantly reminds us that deep down, Tom loves his sister.

The isolation Tom Gradgrind is subjected to at the very end of the novel, and “penitence” he feels is appropriate based on his development in the novel. Dickens’s portrayal of Tom appears to be of someone ignorant because of his upbringing, rather than innately malicious; therefore, it is unsurprising that he capable of feeling remorse once he realizes the error in his ways. His consistent distaste for Coketown makes his eventual isolation well-deserved and his longing for Louisa is predictable, if not inevitable. However, whether Tom’s character deserved to die before getting the chance to restore his relationship with his sister is questionable.

Works Cited

• Dickens, Charles, and Graham Law. Hard Times: for These times. Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview, 1996. Print.