10 Questions
Sissy is proficient in figures and arithmetic.
False
Gradgrind's system of education emphasizes learning a little at a time.
False
Louisa is a cheerful and outgoing person.
False
Tom is a quiet and reserved person.
False
Sissy responds to Gradgrind's criticism by saying she is not trying to learn at all.
False
Gradgrind tells Louisa that Bounderby has expressed a desire to marry her sister.
False
Louisa reacts to her father's question with enthusiasm and excitement.
False
Gradgrind shows no consideration for Louisa's feelings and does not ask her opinion about Bounderby's proposal.
False
Louisa has received other proposals of marriage from other people.
False
Gradgrind is concerned about Louisa's happiness in her potential marriage to Bounderby.
False
Study Notes
Sissy's Performance
- Sissy is considered backward and below the mark in figures and arithmetic by Gradgrind.
- Sissy attributes her lack of proficiency to possibly trying to learn too much, suggesting that Gradgrind's system of education is overwhelming.
Criticism of Gradgrind's System
- Gradgrind's system of education is implied to be flawed, as it thrusts too many facts down a pupil's throat, potentially hindering their ability to learn.
Louisa's Character
- Louisa grows into a quiet and reserved woman.
- Her personality has not been allowed to develop naturally, implying that Gradgrind's system has stifled her growth.
- Louisa's response to her father's question about being cheerful suggests she is resigned to her circumstances, rather than being genuinely happy.
Tom's Character
- Tom is talkative, cheerful, and hopeful.
- He is optimistic, expecting something uncommonly jolly to happen, which contrasts with Louisa's subdued personality.
This quiz focuses on the themes of education and character development in Charles Dickens' novel Hard Times. It explores the struggles of Sissy and Louisa in the rigid educational system of Mr. Gradgrind. Test your understanding of the novel's portrayal of education and its impact on the characters.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
