The passage suggests that children are expected to conform and prioritize rote memorization in an authoritarian educational system, emphasizing the acquisition of facts over individual development and critical thinking.
The correct answer is option C.
The passage from Charles Dickens' "Hard Times" implies that children are expected to conform to a rigid educational system that prioritizes the acquisition of facts over individual development. The description of the school-room as a "plain, bare, monotonous vault" sets the stage for a stark and uninspiring learning environment. The speaker's emphasis on "nothing but Facts" suggests an authoritarian approach to education, demanding strict adherence to a predetermined set of information. The physical description of the speaker, with a square forehead and square attributes, reinforces the rigid, inflexible nature of the educational system.
The passage does not portray children as active participants in their learning but rather as vessels waiting to be filled with "imperial gallons of facts." The use of the term "imperial" suggests a sense of control and dominance in dictating what knowledge is deemed important. The emphasis on conformity is further underscored by the description of the speaker's "square coat, square legs, square shoulders," emphasizing a uniform and unyielding approach.
In essence, the passage implies that success in life, as perceived within this educational context, is contingent on children unquestioningly accepting and conforming to a predetermined set of facts. The focus is on a strict, authoritarian approach that prioritizes rote memorization and conformity over fostering individuality and critical thinking.
Therefore , from the given options the correct one is C.