A Christmas Carol: Context (copy)

When was Dickens alive?

1812-1870

When was A Christmas Carol written?

1843

How did Dickens begin his literary career?

Through journalism

When did Dickens become a parliamentary journalist?

1833

How did being a parliamentary journalist inspire A Christmas Carol ?

Allowed him to explore poverty and provide social commentary

How is Bob Cratchit similar to Dickens’ father?

They were both clerks and the Cratchit house was based on Dickens’ home

Who is Tiny Tim based on?

Dickens’ nephew who was also a cripple

When did the Industrial Revolution take place?

18th-19th century

What happened during the Industrial Revolution?

A large percentage of the rural population moved to the cities to work in industry

What two main industries did the Industrial Revolution impact?

Textile industry and coal mining (energy needed to fuel factories)

Why was the end of the Industrial Revolution so damaging to the working class?

The economic boom meant they were no longer needed. It was increasingly difficult to earn enough to support their family.

What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on overpopulation?

The mass movement of people caused the formation of slums and cramped housing. The living conditions were awful.

What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on childhood?

Many workers were needed to runs factories and child labour was the cheapest way to do this so children didn’t go to school

What was the working age during the Industrial Revolution?

5 years old

What does confronting the reader with idea about ignorance of the plight of the poor ensure?

They will benefit and learn from the novella’s messages

Who was Thomas Malthus? When was he alive?

He was an economist. Lived from 1766-1834

What did Thomas Malthus believe about poverty?

It was a natural product of population growth and nothing could be done

What are Scrooge’s beliefs about the “surplus population” taken from?

The Malthusian growth model

When was ‘The New Poor Law’ introduced? What did it state?

1834 - the poor will receive money and support from workhouses

Why did some see charity as rewarding ‘bad behaviour’?

They believed poverty was a choice and they were lazy

What did Dickens believe was the only way to eradicate poverty?

Education

How are Ignorance and Want used to show?

The effects of poverty on children and Dickens’ belief that education was the only was to solve it

When was the Elementary Education Act introduced? What did this achieve?

1880 - required children to go to school until they were 10

When was ‘The Factory Act on Child Labour’ introduced? What did this put into effect?

1833 - meant children had to be 9 or older to work

What were ‘Ragged Schools’?

Schools for the poor that provided them with a basic education and supplied their material needs

What did education mean that children could achieve?

Achieve a real career instead of working as menial labour

How did the Royal Family revolutionise the concept of Christmas? When?

1848 there was a drawing of the Royal Family around a decorated tree, which was a tradition from Prince Albert’s childhood in Germany

When was the tradition of sending Christmas cards invented? By who?

1843, by Henry Cole

What did ‘A Christmas Carol’ help to popularise?

The spread of the traditions and the themes of family, charity, goodwill, peace and happiness.

What is Victorian society considered as from a religious standpoint?

Very conservative an slightly strict as they had rules to consider themselves to be ‘good Christians’

What were some of the religious rules that the Victorians implemented? What were these known as?

Going to church every Sunday, giving to charity and not working on a Sunday. Known as the blue laws.

What was Sabbatarianism?

Not working on a Sunday.

What do the blue laws highlight?

The hypocrisy of some of the religious expectations imposed on Victorian society.