Part I: Sowing

• What is the main theme introduced in Chapter 1 of the study material?

  Utilitarianism through the theme of “Facts”
• What does the phrase “Fact, fact, fact” emphasize in Chapter 1?

  It emphasizes rationality
• What problem is exposed in Chapter 1 regarding facts and imagination?

  Prioritizing facts over imagination
• Who is introduced as a symbol of utilitarian education in Chapter 2?

  Gradgrind
• How are children depicted in Chapter 2?

  Reduced to numbers, such as “Girl number twenty”
• What contrasting descriptions are presented in Chapter 2?

  Sissy Jupe and Bitzer
• What does the juxtaposition of definitions of ‘horse’ in Chapter 2 highlight?

  The clash between imagination and facts
• How is Gradgrind described in Chapter 3?

  As “square,” embodying rigid rationality
• What does Gradgrind suppress in his children?

  Fancy (imagination)
• What does Gradgrind take pride in being?

  “Eminently practical”
• What significant event occurs in Chapter 3?

  Discovery of Louisa and Tom at the circus
• What question concludes Chapter 3?

  “What would Mr. Bounderby say?”
• Who is introduced in Chapter 4?

  Bounderby
• How does Bounderby present himself?

  As a self-made man, claiming “I was born in a ditch”
• What type of exaggeration does Bounderby use in Chapter 4?

  Hyperbolic exaggeration
• What does Mrs. Gradgrind express in Chapter 4?

  Her discontent with family life
• How does Bounderby suppress imagination in Chapter 4?

  By telling Cecilia to “Go and be somethingological directly”
• Who is positioned as a scapegoat in Chapter 4?

  Cecilia Jupe
• What decision is made regarding Cecilia’s father in Chapter 4?

  To visit him
• How is Coketown described in Chapter 5?

  As an industrial city
• What societal aspect is explored in Chapter 5?

  The impact of industrialism on society
• How is the working class depicted in Chapter 5?

  With condescension
• Who do Gradgrind and Bounderby encounter in Chapter 5?

  Cecilia and Bitzer
• Where do Gradgrind and Bounderby head at the end of Chapter 5?

  Pegasus’s Arms
• What does Cecilia search for in Chapter 6?

  Her father
• Who are introduced in Chapter 6?

  Mr. E.W.B. Childers and Master Kidderminster
• How is Sleary’s circus troupe characterized in Chapter 6?

  As gentle and humane
• Who is introduced in Chapter 6?

  Sleary
• What choice does Cecilia face in Chapter 6?

  To stay with the Gradgrinds
• How does Chapter 6 conclude?

  Cecilia's prospect of living with the Gradgrinds
• How is Bounderby characterized in Chapter 7?

  As the Bully of humility
• Who is introduced in Chapter 7?

  Mrs. Sparsit
• What contrast is presented in Chapter 7?

  Between Bounderby’s hyperbole and Mrs. Sparsit’s real background
• What action does Gradgrind take in Chapter 7?

  Retrieves Cecilia
• What is the focus of Chapter 8?

  Thomas and Louisa
• How are Thomas and Louisa depicted in Chapter 8?

  In despair and rebellion
• What tendency does Louisa exhibit in Chapter 8?

  A tendency to wonder, hinting at suppressed imagination
• How does Chapter 8 conclude?

  With Gradgrind discovering Louisa’s wondering
• What does Cecilia suffer under in Chapter 9?

  Mr. M’Choakumchild’s teaching
• What does Cecilia confess in Chapter 9?

  Her struggle to fit in