Thomas Carlyle's Past and Present

Q: Using the work of Thomas Carlyle, briefly discuss what he sees as a major problem in Victorian society and what solutions does he offer? It is apparent from reading his essay entitled "Past and Present" that Thomas Carlyle saw the poor working conditions as a major problem in society. He states "that in no time, since the beginnings of Society, was the lot of those same dumb millions of toilers so entirely unbearable as …

…forth and take care of their workers. In conclusion, Carlyle recognized the many injustices suffered by the working class. He was sympathetic towards the common citizen, and realized that labor needed to be organized. However, he felt that this goal of "maximum wellbeing" could only be achieved when "wiser men" susch as Government Officials or Captains of Industry took charge of the working class. bibliography: The Norton Anthology of English Leterature/ seventh edition/ pages 1110 -1119.