Poverty

• Poverty dominates the novella from beginning to end, with Scrooge’s lack of empathy for the poor setting up the novel’s inciting incident. Dickens uses poverty to shine a light on society’s ills, suggesting the fortunate have a moral responsibility to help those who have less. Through poverty, Dickens also espouses the ideals of charity and generosity, and posits that wealth does not equal happiness.
• What is the thematic focus of 'A Christmas Carol'?

  Poverty and social injustice
• What attitude does Scrooge initially represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  The selfish attitude of the upper class
• What does Scrooge's transformation signify in the novella?

  Social consciousness as an ideal quality
• How does Dickens portray social responsibility in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  Through Tiny Tim's fate and Scrooge's support
• What does Dickens suggest about social responsibility?

  It is essential for community benefit
• How does Dickens use setting to comment on poverty and social injustice?

  • Describes London as "fog and darkness"
  • Personifies ice as "misanthropic"
  • Highlights economic and environmental issues from the Industrial Revolution
  • Exposes harsh realities of poverty
• What does the description of London reveal about its inhabitants?

  It reflects their attitudes and gloomy atmosphere
• How does Dickens challenge stereotypes about the impoverished in London?

  By showing their cheerfulness despite conditions
• What do Ignorance and Want represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  Social responsibility and abandonment of the poor
• How does Dickens provoke a response from readers regarding Ignorance and Want?

  By depicting them as vulnerable children
• Who does Old Joe represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  The harsh realities of poverty
• What message does Dickens convey through Old Joe and the thieves?

  Poverty breeds crime and social responsibility
• How does the relationship between Bob Cratchit and Scrooge symbolize class relations?

  It shows the rich dominating the lower class
• How does Dickens portray poverty in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  As a multifaceted issue needing attention
• Charles Dickens uses his characters to demonstrate the disparity between the wealthy and the poor in society. This revolves around the Industrial Revolution, while it led to increase in wealth generally, this was not represented evenly across the wider society. There was a major discrepancy between the rich and the poor. Dickens explores this issue through the transformation in which Scrooge becomes generous and kinder. This is demonstrated in the difference in wealth between Scrooge and his employee Bob Cratchit.