The industrial revolution and capitalism in a Christmas Carol
There were increasedpovertylevels and crime in the cities
growth and capitalism- the belief in making the greatestpossibleprofits for the owners of production.
The ‘ hungry fourties’
The novella is set in the 1840s a period known as the ’hungryfourties’
Characters like ignorance and want are symbolic of the plight of the poor and their starvation.
Sketches by “Boz”
A collection of short pieces of Dickens works of non-fiction illustrating London city life.
In a Christmas Carol, the London setting allows Dickens to show exaggeratedextremes of poverty.
The new Poor law, 1834
In order to deterpoorpeople from claiming financial help, the government made claimants live in workhouses, essentially prison for the poor.
Dickens hated this law, he spent 1843touringfactories and mines in England and wished to highlight the situation facing poor people.
Malthusianism
Malthus warned that the industrial revolution would lead to population growth, which would ultimately cause starvation and disease due to a shortage of resources for everyone
Christmas values
Dickens contributed to a more secular (non-religious) Christmas based on the values of goodwill, benevolence and forgiveness. This imagery (food,decorations,music) is used throughout the Novella.
Victorian childhoods
Education was not compulsory. Children born into poverty would be expected to work from Young. Dickens believed how society treated its children was the truetest of that society is moral worth. As a result, childhoodinnocence is central to Dickens Works
The supernatural
Victorian Society was fascinated by the supernatural
The belief was heavilyinfluenced by the church, with the long-standing belief that ghosts were souls who were trapped in purgatory.
Dickens big ideas in a Christmas Carol
Dickens convey the message that everybody is capable of redemption
Dickens big ideas in a Christmas Carol
Dickens emphasises the need for social responsibility and charity
Dickens big ideas in a Christmas Carol
Dickens highlights the importance of family and friendship
Dickens methods in a Christmas Carol
Dickens uses the spirits to propel Scrooges redemption
Dickens methods in a Christmas Carol
Dickens uses contrast to highlight socialinequality and the redemption of Scrooge
Dickens methods in a Christmas Carol
The intrusiveomniscient narrator provides the reader with socialcommentary