“Dare to know!” Enlightenment commands such as this, written by Kant, challenged traditional ways of thinking. Many Enlightenment ideals were directly interrupted by the Industrial Revolution in Britain, as seen in Dickens’ Hard Times. Kant’s desire for people to use their natural gifts, freedom publicly, and think for themselves was directly countered by Britain’s emotionless education system, the arrests of protestors, and the industrial bosses. Others like Locke stressed the importance of the state of nature, as well as the preservation of health and actions for the good of the people. These ideas were hindered by the structure of British society, harsh living conditions, and its government. Rousseau’s support of natural talents and personal re-creation was met by Britain’s uncreative education system and suppression of opportunities. Voltaire’s desire for tolerance was never achieved, for British laws and restrictions hindered such thoughts. The views of freedom, state of nature, natural talents, and tolerance that Kant, Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire supported were a sacrifice for British industrial progress, often seen in Hard …show more content…
The wealthy in Britain, such as Bounderby in Hard Times, only preserved themselves. He used the “hands” for profit and lied about his origins to raise his status. Also, Locke envisioned laws for the good of the people. Laws, for instance, should not vary between the rich and the poor. In Parliament, the House of Commons and House of Lords represented only two percent and one-fifth of a percent of the population, respectively. Therefore, the power was in the hands of a few. Laws favored the rich and punished the poor, such as the Poor Laws Amendment. This amendment eliminated any provisions for the poor. As Bounderby explained to Blackpool, “There is such a law… but it’s not for you at all” (Hard Times, p. 80). These laws directly betrayed Locke’s visions for