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  • Essay / Impacts of the Industrial Revolution on “Conditions of the Working Class in England”

    Table of ContentsIntroductionRhetorical Techniques in “Conditions of the Working Class in England”ConclusionReferencesIntroductionIn an era marked by the rapid proliferation of technological innovations and a population rapidly increasing, The advent of the Industrial Revolution not only represented a period of unprecedented expansion and progress, but also signified profound changes in the economic and social landscape of England. Frederick Engels, in his work The Conditions of the Working Class in England, carefully examines the binary consequences of the Industrial Revolution, dissecting the advances and obstacles it brought to the new England. Through a careful examination of the rhetorical techniques interwoven throughout his narrative, Engels posits that the industrial revolution assumes the dual role of humanitarian catastrophe and an indispensable phase in the trajectory of human progress. Delving into the vivid images, depictions and descriptions that juxtapose working-class conditions with the opulence of Manchester, Engels masterfully delineates both the merits and demerits of the Industrial Revolution and their collective contribution to discord which permeated the English societal sphere. Ultimately, through an insightful analysis of geographical divisions and distinctions, conveyed not only by linguistic elements but also by the structural organization of his discourse, Engels argues that developments in industry and commerce during the 19th century inevitably brought a cost of division: the alliance of the aristocratic class sowed the seeds of division within the proletariat, while the emergence of large urban centers gave rise to growing social disparities. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get an original essay Rhetorical Techniques in 'The Conditions of the Working Class of England' In the pages of 'The Conditions of the Working Class of England' England,” Engels deftly exploits rhetorical techniques such as anaphora and rhetorical questioning to illuminate the divergent impacts of the Industrial Revolution, depicting it as both a humanitarian tragedy and a crucial catalyst for change in England. In the opening paragraph of the chapter aptly titled “The Great Cities,” Engels asserts: “Here [in England] the manners and customs of the good old days have been destroyed in the most effective manner. Here the very name 'Merry England' has long since been forgotten, for the inhabitants of the great manufacturing centers never even heard from their grandparents what life was like in those days” (1565). The strategic repetition of “here” in consecutive sentences intensifies attention to the transformative influence of the Industrial Revolution on England. The erosion of centuries-old traditions deprives England of its intrinsic qualities, customs and morals, embodied by the deliberate capitalization of "Merry", now relegated to the annals of history. Furthermore, Engels uses expressions such as "the great centers of production" and "destroyed in the most efficient manner" to emphasize the advantages and indispensability of these industrial developments. Anaphora does create a nuance of discord, even if the two sentences begin with the same word. When Engels refers to the multitudes of individuals, from various social strata and ranks, who converge within the confines of London, he asks: "Are they not all human beings endowed with the sameinnate characteristics and potentialities? Aren't they all equally interested in the pursuit of happiness? And don’t they all aim for happiness by following similar methods? (1566). In this succession of questions, Engels skillfully interweaves anaphora and rhetorical questioning, favoring a rapid tempo in his arguments and cultivating an aura of frustration. The rhetorical device of beginning each question with the phrase "Aren't they" initially seems to emphasize societal unity, only to culminate in the blunt statement that "they rush in front of each other as if they had nothing in common” (1566). Through the artful deployment of rhetorical techniques such as anaphora and rhetorical questioning, Engels first highlights the unifying facets inherent in a population linked by shared innate traits, potential, and the pursuit of happiness, and then unravels a world strewn of discord in the outcome – a testament to the multifaceted nature of the Industrial Revolution, which embodies both a humanitarian catastrophe and a vital turning point in the trajectory of human progress. Manchester, often hailed as the embodiment of the Industrial Revolution and the catalyst for the labor movement, serves as the backdrop. on which Engels elaborates vivid descriptions, employing precise linguistic choices to reveal the dissonance within the English societal fabric (1567). It highlights the problem of overcrowding and limited space, painting a bleak picture of working-class areas of Manchester, where houses are described as "dirty, old and dilapidated", the result of a policy which has cluttered up as many houses as possible. in confined spaces, to the extent that “not an inch of space remains between the houses, and further construction is now physically impossible” (1568-69). Engels also vividly illustrates the dismal lack of hygiene, with "dirt and filth in abundance" and where dirty water is the only means of cleaning. At the same time, it highlights the evolution of the modern manufacturing system, emphasizing the recurring theme of “replacement.” This narrative traces the trajectory of technological progress, with "water and steam power" supplanting manual labor, and "power looms and automatic mules" making hand looms and spinning wheels obsolete traditional (1567). However, even as technological advances make England a model of modernity and efficiency, Engels refuses to let his readers lose sight of the abject degradation endured by the working class. With the proliferation of factories and urban centers, residents of these booming cities were crowded into tiny living spaces, breeding callous indifference toward their neighbors and fostering a culture of selfishness focused on personal gain (1566) . Therefore, even in the vivid depiction of Manchester that Engels gives through his masterful use of imagery, there is a marked separation. Manchester is not just the “industrial heart of the UK”; he also embodies a society characterized by imposed class distinctions (1567). The construction of commercial buildings and residential areas, as well as the expansion of sidewalks and bridges, leads to an overpopulation of people and material goods, exacerbating the divide between social classes. Finally, through an astute analysis of the disparities and glaring divisions, Not only in the geographical configuration of Manchester and its socio-economic layers, conveyed by a language full of paradoxes, but also through the organizational structure of his treatise, Engels emphasizes the prevalence of divisions within developments that,.