The correct answer is the first statement.
Answer:
C). His death by falling into a hole.
Explanation:
Stephen Blackpool is the character in 'Hard Times' who Dickens chooses to provide the other side of industrialization. His life is full of poverty and drudgery which stands in direct contrast to Bounderby's wealth and possession. He believes in values and moral integrity which again is contradictory to Bounderby's immoral world.
As per the question, Dickens provides the resolution of Blackpool's storyline by making him a martyr through his death for Tom's crime. His death could be the product of his determination to stand by his virtues and not submitting his moral integrity by joining the workers' union. He refuses to join the union as he wanted to live a life of honesty and integrity which is in stark contrast to the self-interest of Bounderby and this contrast corresponds to the conflict which reflects the social muddle. Blackpool was framed into a false robbery case which eventually led him to his death which throws light upon the inability of values of truth, loyalty, and integrity to stand in a corrupt world. Thus, <u>option C</u> is the correct answer.
