『어려운 시절』을 통해 본 자본의 훈육 전략

Abstract

This paper aims to examine Dickens's Hard Times, on the assumption that its representation of the Benthamite Utilitarianism shows the disciplinary strategy of capital. Bentham's 'method of detail' turns out to be closely related to some essential characteristics of the capitalist economy; the emphasis on the spirit of abstraction and calculation, the reduction of qualitative differences to quantitative differences, and so on. This alleged spirit of progress, contrary to its promise of the enlightened future, breeds not only uniformity and mechanical repetitiveness, but also misery and numbness in Coketown, locus of Hard Times. The strength of the Gradgrind-Bounderby regime is ultimately secured by the spread of 'normalized selves,' which are produced by the disciplinary operations of the complex of Utilitarianism and political economy. Their repression of curiosity and wonder inherent in children is a primary way of producing the fragile selves vulnerable to the dominating interests, opinions, and forces. However, there will be no future if we simply tread in the Utilitarians' disciplinary footsteps. Herein lies the importance of identifying and promoting the genuine self, i.e., Blake's 'identity'. Sissy, empowered with the strong individuality and creativity, vigor and energy, opposes the grounding principle of this regime and represents "another thing needful" to prevail over this inhumane spirit in Coketown. Dickens in Hard Times might be said to prefigure Foucault's notion of discipline. He doesn't just anticipate him, but goes further. Dickens, through Sissy, shows us the way out of the Foucauldian dilemma, which comprises astutely diagnosing the omnipotent and omnipresent power of disciplinary machinery without providing an alternative. It is this point in which Dickens's greatness as a creative writer lies.