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Summary Of Imagery In Hard Times

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In the book Hard Times by Charles Dickens every character is described with certain imagery. This imagery is used to set up the character and how they will act and how the others view them or should view them. Two great examples of this are the devilish imagery of James Harthouse and the angelic imagery of Rachael. This imagery is used by Dickens in order to show good from evil, as he has no true protagonist or antagonist in this story. Every character has their own faults and desires and the imagery that Dickens associates with them is used to explain their character and how they interact with others in the story. How does the imagery Dickens uses to describe his characters allude to their actions in the story? James Harthouse is by far the least moral character …show more content…

Dickens makes it clear that this man is to be associated with the devil, immediately, as he is introduced, “If you want to bring in, for any place, a handsome dog who can make you a devilish good speech” (Dickens 125). It is with this line, from Harthouse’s brother, that Dickens introduces Harthouse as a man that is not only very good looking, but also one, who is to be associated with the devil in the way he talks. The way in which Harthouse talks is similar to that of the devil in that he only says what he wants people to hear for his own gain. This is especially true for Louisa and Harthouse’s relationship as he is targeting her, “ Your brother. My young friend Tom-’ Her colour bightened,”(166). Harthouse is using Louisa’s love for her brother Tom to first make her despise her husband, Bounderby and secondly turn that love away from Tom and direct it all towards Harthouse. He says he will help Tom with his gambling problem. However, Harthouse allows Tom to dig himself a hole as he continues his gambling, which eventually leads to Tom robbing the bank. Harthouse, of course, is not all talk when it comes to this devilish imagery it is also seen with his

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