Industry And Idleness Analysis

In Industry and Idleness, Hogarth illustrates the correlation between devotion and prosperity in the 18th century by demonstrating the impact of moral values in the life of two individuals from a similar economical background, but with different ideologies. Tom Idle and Francis Goodchild were both apprentices, however the way they spent their leisure time differ. Tom Idle choose to gamble and associates himself with criminals, while Goodchild went to church to socialize and network with people from higher social status, which allowed him to get ahead in life besides working hard. Although, both apprentices were economically disadvantaged, the personal and social relationships they established inside and outside of their work place defined their …show more content…
However, Francis Goodchild personal relationship with people from higher social status allowed him to make a living and have good life. Besides Goodchild’s influential relations, he is more industrious than Idle because he finds pleasure at working and occupying himself with other activities. On his free time, Goodchild decides to do productive things with his time such as attending the church, work, and socialize with other people. In contrast, Idle spent a lot of time on the streets of London expose to a dangerous environment, which have defined his willingness to take careless risks, explore, and indolent personality. Also, Hogarth uses foreshadowing in Industry and Idleness by naming the characters according to their personality or appearance. For example, Francis Goodchild is a virtuous and finds pleasure at making his way to the top by working hard and following the rule such as a good child. While, Tom Idle is inactive, coward, and selfish, basically the definition of the word idle. Hogarth uses the names of the characters to provide a clear comparison between the characters and formulate the idea of productive and un productive. Goodchild seems unsatisfied as he reached his goals, even though he has striven in life to achieve them. In plate XII of Industry and Idleness, Goodchild is given the title of Lord mayor of London, but he looks unhappy because he seems trap by his duties and obligations to the city of London. Goodchild appears in the middle of London surrounded by people, but isolated by his carriage and guards. Goodchild is now in charge of London and the city is in a chaotic state. He seems detach from the people and his expression demonstrates