Scholarly record

THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS OR, WHEN TEACHERS IN THEIR PRIME (MURIEL SPARK) NEVER LET GO (KAZUO ISHIGURO) IN HARD TIMES (CHARLES DICKENS)

Lidia Mihaela Necula

Abstract

Years and writing signatures apart, it would seem that Charles Dickens’s Hard Times has very little to do, if anything, with Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and/ or with Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let me Go for that matter. And yet, all of these three novels operate, in various degrees, with what seems to have always been a common life principle for many, regardless of the temporal or geographic co(n)text at hand. Dicken’s Hard Times portrays characters who prioritize facts, figures, and material gain over the emotional and moral aspects of life. The utilitarian approach of valuing measurable outcomes and productivity above all else is presented as dehumanizing and detrimental to individuals and society. Although it does not directly pursue a utilitarian philosophy, The Prime of Miss Brodie does shed light on the complexities of personal influence and the potential consequences of actions: as a character, Miss Brodie raises questions about the ethical implications of pursuing personal ambitions at the expense of others and the limitations of an individualistic approach to achieving happiness and fulfilment. And true as it may be that Muriel Spark’s novel does not directly address utilitarianism as a philosophical concept, it is possible to analyse Miss Brodie, her actions, her beliefs as well as her impact on her students from a utilitarian perspective since the latter emphasizes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Finally, Ishiguro’s speculative Never Let Me Go presents a dystopian society where clones are created for the sole purpose of providing organ donations to others thus raising further questions about the ethics of sacrificing a few for the well-being of many, as well as the nature of humanity and the value of individual lives. Every single one of these three novels explores utilitarian philosophies of life by looking into the aftermath entailed by the prioritizing of individuals’ happiness and pleasure (on a small scale), or of societal well-being (on a large scale). Therein, readers are challenged to reflect upon the complexities and ethical dilemmas inherent in pursuing the greatest good for the greatest number. The end justifies the means can be seen operating in various degrees and in different ways in all three texts, reflecting back the unique contexts and themes of their respective stories. Seen like this, these novels become lenses mediating ethical dilemmas, obliquely criticising societal norms or raising awareness to the consequences of sacrificing individual rights and moral considerations for the sake of societal or personal goals.

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