How does Dickens contrast Sissy and Louisa?

In Charles Dickens' "Hard Times," Sissy Jupe and Louisa Gradgrind serve as contrasting characters that highlight differing approaches to education and emotional development. Sissy, raised in a circus environment, embodies imagination, empathy, and emotional intelligence, thriving in the absence of rigid facts. In contrast, Louisa, who is subjected to her father's strict utilitarian philosophy, struggles with emotional repression and a lack of genuine connection. This juxtaposition illustrates the dangers of an overly factual education devoid of compassion and creativity.