"Stick to Facts, sir!'..."See in text(Book The First - Sowing - Chapter I - The One Thing Needful)
Thomas Gradgrind runs a school founded on the philosophy of rationalism, which happens to be his philosophy for child-rearing. Creativity and imagination are discouraged; the only things that matter are provable by observation and personal experience. Gradgrind's obsession with facts has tremendous consequences later in the book, especially on his own children.
"Would have been self-willed (he thought in his eminently practical way) but for her bringing-up...."See in text(Book The First - Sowing - Chapter III - A Loophole)
Louisa is obviously self-willed, despite her upbringing and her father's beliefs. She resents his emphasis on facts and pragmatism. Her dissatisfaction as a girl (on the verge of womanhood) offers an early hint as to the inner struggle she will face in adulthood.
"But she knew from her reading infinitely more of the ways of toiling insects than of these toiling men and women...."See in text(Book The Second - Reaping - Chapter VI - Fading Away)
Louisa has finally met one of the "toiling men and women" of Coketown. Up until this moment, factory workers were mere statistics (as her father taught her)—no more significant than thousands of "toiling insects." Louisa finally sees them as individuals with hopes and dreams like her.
"would you have given me to the husband whom I am now sure that I hate?'..."See in text(Book The Second - Reaping - Chapter XII - Down)
Louisa blames her father for her unhappy marriage (to a man she now realizes she hates) because of his rationalism-based childrearing philosophy. She now finds herself in love with another man but does not know what to do because she was not raised to cope with matters of the heart.
"I am far from feeling convinced now, however differently I might have felt only this time yesterday, that I am fit for the trust you repose in me;..."See in text(Book The Third - Garnering - Chapter I - Another Thing Needful)
Mr. Gradgrind finally recognizes the full extent of his daughter's misery. His teaching, which focused on facts and pragmatism, ultimately did great harm to Louisa: she is now in a failed, unhappy marriage and on the brink of ruining her good character. He considers himself unqualified to advise her, however, because he feels that he failed as a father.
"making his facts and figures subservient to Faith, Hope, and Charity; and no longer trying to grind that Heavenly trio in his dusty little mills?..."See in text(Book The Third - Garnering - Chapter IX - Final)
Mr. Gradgrind finally rejects his inflexible philosophy of rationalism. Instead, he becomes a humanitarian (in the future), despite the intense scorn of his former colleagues. He sees himself bringing "Faith, Hope, and Charity" to the lives of the people; his political career will focus on the welfare of others, as opposed to his own success.
