the industrial revolution

• The industrial revolution was an immense change between 1760 - 1840.
• The industrial revolution was a change from farming to factories - it changed London from a rural state to an industrial state of factories and machinery.
• The industrial revolution was known as the 'progressive' era as Britain was seen as the pinnacle of excellence and a symbol of progression.

  • Britain was gaining domestic and foreign power throughout the world.
• The industrial revolution meant that the class divide was exacerbated (make the problem worse) with the lower classes being subject to dangerous and dehumanizing conditions.

  • The hours were long and hard and even children as young as 4 or 5 years old were forced to work in these conditions.
• There were positive effects of the industrial revolution: more job opportunities, increased production, efficiency, and migration.
• Link to novella:

  • Dickens is critical of the industrial revolution and the overzealousness (obsessiveness) of money that was a by-product of the revolution.

  He was particularly scathing (critical) of the idea of Britain being the pinnacle of excellence when it neglected its most vulnerable.
• Link to novella:

  • Dickens makes Scrooge personify the capitalist greedy mindset towards money and the willingness to let the poor be exploited.

  He highlights how capitalism has replaced compassion in society leading it to be a place filled with misery.