Thomas Carlyle

I enjoyed Carlyle’s view of the changing society. In “Past and Present”, he describes the conditions that the people were living in. How through this revolution the society that once prided itself in the reflections of nature and intuitive thinking, are now being overrun by the hope of monetary prosperity. Carlyle since his loss of faith, questions God on why the people are being treated this way.

“This successful industry of England, with its plethoric wealth, has yet made nobody rich; it is an enchanted wealth, and belongs yet to nobody. We might as, which of us has it enriched?? We can spend thousands where we once spend hundreds; but can purchase nothing good with them.”

Carlyle is pointing out that even though industrialism is providing monetary wealth for individuals, it is not providing “wealth” for the prosperity of the country. In societies and even families where great wealth is just being born, self-discipline seems to unravel. It’s like when parents tell their children that they can get a few new toys and they come back with 10. The imagination takes over and discipline is forgotten. Even though some of these people do now have thousands to spend their lessons of common prosperity are overlooked.

Compare old age living with the Industrialization and the frugalness at which people spent their money is lost with the change in history. Industrialization brings great change to nations that are sometimes overwhelmed with the power it takes over. The wealthy are spending more money than ever with their higher incomes and the gap between social classes is becoming ever greater. Industrialization may lift up a few to the heights of prosperity but it does not help the less fortunate. When a reform in society comes to lift these less educated and unfilled labors from the state at which they live that will be the true reform that should be printed on the pages of history books.