context

• industrial revolution 


  changes in manufacturing, where fewer things were made by hand and more by machines in big factories
• social inequality


  the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions
• deprivation


  hard

  distress

  ruin
• squalor


  extremely dirty

  unpleasant
• capital punishment


  the legal killing of a person who has committed a serious crime
• workhouse


  a place where those unable to support themselves were offered employment

  harsh conditions
• austere


  very strict and lacking comfort
• social injustice


  unfair treatment, a situation in which he rights of a person or group of people are ignored, especially by more powerful social groups
• philanthropy


  the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money and goods
• Poor Law -1834

  idea to get lazy poor people out of the way - reduced financial help

  sent them to workhouses - terrible conditions - for food and shelter

  families would be separated - children made to work in dangerous conditions

  high death rates

  'the treadmill and the Poor law are in full vigour then?' - Scrooge

  'are there no prisons? are there no workhouses?'- Scrooge