Final answer:
Mr. Harthouse in 'Hard Times' is a static and flat character because he does not experience significant change or reveal complex personality traits. E.M. Forster's distinction between flat and round characters supports this, as static and flat characters lack development and the ability to surprise the reader convincingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mr. Harthouse from Charles Dickens' novel Hard Times is generally considered to be a static and flat character. He is introduced as a sophisticated but cynical gentleman who is more interested in self-indulgence than anything else. Throughout the novel, his character does not undergo significant changes or exhibit different facets of his personality, which are key indicators of a static and flat character. By contrast, a dynamic character is one that undergoes significant internal change as a result of the story's events, while a round character is one with a complex personality that is more fully developed, like real people we encounter in life.
According to E.M. Forster, a flat character can often be summarized succinctly and does not surprise us, whereas a round character is capable of surprising in a convincing way. Using the example of Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet represents a flat character, while Elizabeth Bennet is a round character. This illustrative contrast between Mrs. Bennet's lack of development and Elizabeth's growth suggests that Mr. Harthouse's failure to evolve or deepen throughout the narrative solidifies his status as static and flat.