poverty

• The theme of poverty is one of the most prevalent themes within the text. Dickens makes the reader fully aware of the “poor and destitute” from the outset and this is continued throughout the novella
• knowledge and evidence


  • Their appearance is contrasted with scenes of abundance and by doing so, Dickens alludes to the idea that there is enough for everyone if it is shared equally
  • The Cratchits’ dwelling is small and humble compared with Scrooge's home 
  • Dickens uses Ignorance and Want as an allegory as they are representative of children who are forced to live in terrible conditions
• knowledge and evidence


  Dickens subverts the Victorian misconception of the poor as indolent and ungrateful by presenting the Cratchit family in an extremely positive light:

  • Bob and his daughter Martha both work and Bob is hoping to obtain work for his son, Peter
  • Bob is presented as a devoted father and loving husband which is in sharp contrast to Scrooge
  • The Cratchit family is presented as industrious
• knowledge and evidence

  • The Cratchit family conveys an impression of Christmas as a time of generosity and goodwill and despite the fact that the family struggles financially, they are deeply appreciative of what they have 
  • Furthermore, Dickens uses the Cratchit family as a reminder of the humanity of the lower classes:
  • Despite Scrooge’s cruelty towards Bob and his wife’s anger towards Scrooge, the family still display their compassion in raising a toast to Scrooge
• knowledge and evidence


  • Dickens makes poverty a serious concern within the novella and demonstrates how it can destroy lives:
  • Images of disease and illness are depicted among the poor due to their lack of food and dreadful living conditions
  • Through the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Dickens depicts the devastating consequences of a system in which Tiny Tim could potentially die:
  • Bob’s insufficient wages mean that he cannot provide adequate care for his son
• knowledge and evidence

  • Dickens highlights the importance of charity and benevolence, but he also illustrates how the poor are not provided with the resources to help themselves and instead are reliant on the charity of others:
  • By being a better employer, Scrooge could help the Cratchit family out of poverty
  • Although the charity collectors in Stave I represent goodness at Christmas, arguably the poor should be helped at all times of the year
• knowledge and evidence


  • Scrooge displays an uncaring attitude towards the poor and his ruthlessness makes others suffer hardships:
  • Scrooge is depicted as a miser who refuses to make a charitable donation to help those less fortunate than himself:
  • Scrooge reveals his ignorance of the poor as he makes no distinction between the lower classes and criminals, declaring: “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”  Scrooge’s support for prisons and workhouses illustrates his flawed views on how to solve the issues of poverty
• knowledge and evidence

  • By the end of the novella, Scrooge demonstrates a change of heart toward those less fortunate than himself: 
  • Scrooge’s first stage in his changed attitude to the poor is when he regrets not having given money to a carol singer: “I should like to have given him something, that’s all” 
  • Scrooge eventually uses his wealth to improve the lives of others and to make society a better place
• knowledge and evidence

  • The plight of the poor is highlighted through Bob’s character and he is used to underscore Scrooge’s cruel and exploitative behaviour:
  • Bob works in a “dismal little cell”, a metaphorical prison, which conveys the impression that he is trapped and confined and cannot escape from deprivation and poverty
  • Bob is in constant fear of losing his job and he is symbolic of the lower classes and their dependence on their employer
• writers intention


  • Dickens attempts to ensure Scrooge becomes aware of his own poverty — his lack of kindness and benevolence — to recognise

  his responsibility to those who are less fortunate than him

  • Dickens highlights the importance of charity and benevolence but he also illustrates how the poor are not provided with the resources to help themselves. Instead they are reliant on the charity of others