Greed and Ambition

Various characters exhibiting extremely different attitudes are introduced throughout Hard Times. A majority of the personalities shown are a part of the wealthy class citizens, while only a hand-full of the characters are a part of the working class. Characters such as Mr. Bounderby seem to be very ambitious, taking a large amount of pride in their belongings. Although he may be seen as a successful man by some readers, his greed takes over positive emotions he could possibly display. As he and Louisa are united by marriage, they travel to Lyons on a honeymoon to observe operations at a factory. In my opinion, this shows Mr. Bounderby as a man that lacks romanticism in his life. I feel a sense of a superficial husband who only looks out for himself. You may believe that this problem of greed only arises in the wealthy class, yet it comes upon characters in the working class too. Mrs. Sparsit is the maid of Mr. Bounderby, who also has determination to marry her him. She attempts to impede the marriage between Bounderby and Louisa, due to her ambitions to become his wife and share his wealth. Although she may have a valid reason to have a desire for money, her attempts seem desperate. Do you believe that all humans are naturally greedy and ambitious for themselves?