context

• Charles Dickens, born on 7th February 1812 and died on 8th June 1870, wrote 'A Christmas Carol' in 1843, 6 years into his career as a novelist
• Dickens began his literary career as a journalist before becoming a parliamentary journalist in 1833, which may have made him more socially aware and inspired his social commentary in works like 'A Christmas Carol'
• Dickens, born into a middle-class family, was sent to school but faced financial difficulties when his father was put in debtors' prison, similar to Bob Cratchit's situation in the novel
• Dickens' childhood experiences, including working at Warren's Blacking Factory, influenced his portrayal of poverty and social issues in his novels, reflecting in characters like Scrooge
• Scrooge's childhood in 'A Christmas Carol' mirrors Dickens' negative experiences, highlighting the impact of education and poverty on character development
• Journalism influenced Dickens' writing of 'A Christmas Carol' as he aimed to inform the public about social issues, and characters like Fanny and Tiny Tim were inspired by people in Dickens' life
• The Industrial Revolution, occurring between the 18th-19th century, shifted production from agriculture to industry, impacting society and leading to inequalities highlighted in 'A Christmas Carol'
• The end of the Industrial Revolution, marked by mechanization and reduced demand for workers, exacerbated social inequalities, making it harder for the working class to support themselves
• The Industrial Revolution caused overpopulation, leading to cramped housing and the spread of disease, reflected in the living conditions of characters like the Cratchits in 'A Christmas Carol'
• In the Cratchit household, Bob Cratchit and his wife with their six children live in a "four-roomed house" in a matter-of-fact tone, illustrating a simple reality
• The close quarters in the Cratchit household increased the spread of disease due to people living very close together
• During the Industrial Revolution, child labor was prevalent, starting as young as five years old, as families needed their children to work to afford cramped living conditions
• Child labor during the Industrial Revolution meant that most children were unable to go to school
• The Industrial Revolution influenced "A Christmas Carol" metaphorically as a character with power to dictate the lives of people, especially the working class, seen through the Cratchits' situation
• Dickens is critical of the darker consequences of the Industrial Revolution in the novel, presenting unfavorable characteristics through Scrooge's treatment of his worker Fred before his redemption
• Scrooge's hyperbolic speech in "A Christmas Carol" exaggerates his ignorance, possibly directing distaste towards the reader to question their own character
• Poverty is defined as the lack of basic necessities needed for a person to live, such as food, water, and clothing
• Many rich individuals during the Industrial Revolution were ignorant of the struggles of the working class, influenced by economist Thomas Malthus's beliefs on poverty
• Responses to poverty in the post-Industrial Revolution society included workhouses and charity, with differing beliefs on the effectiveness of charity in alleviating poverty
• Some believed that poverty was a choice and that charity worsened the situation by rewarding 'bad behavior'
• Education was seen as a solution to eradicate poverty, leading to the establishment of ragged schools to provide basic education during the Victorian era
• Dickens was concerned about the struggles of the working class, using Scrooge's views in "A Christmas Carol" to exemplify the harsh beliefs of the upper class towards poverty
• The setting description in "A Christmas Carol" illustrates the poverty in society, with a negative image created through the use of the rule of three
• The characters "Ignorance and Want" in "A Christmas Carol" represent the effects of poverty on children, reflecting Dickens' belief that education is crucial to solving poverty
• During the Industrial Revolution, children were viewed as an economic asset due to their ability to work and contribute to household income
• The Elementary Education Act of 1880 required children to attend school until at least 10 years old, shifting the perception of children from economic assets to liabilities
• Social policies like 'The Factory Act on Child Labour' in 1833 aimed to protect children and change the perception of childhood and education during the Victorian era
• Charles Dickens' view on education and childhood:

  • Dickens believed education was the answer to poverty
  • 'Ragged Schools' were created to provide a basic education to poor children and supply their material needs
  • Before this time, only the rich went to school
• Education allowed children to work and achieve real careers instead of menial labor, exemplified by Dickens himself who had a career in literature due to education
• In Dickens' works, Ignorance and Want are used to portray the effects of a lack of education on the poor
• Dickens underlines that education is a solution to societal issues, as seen in Scrooge's character development in 'A Christmas Carol'
• Victorian society transformed Christmas into the festival it is today, with traditions like decorating Christmas trees and sending Christmas cards originating from this era
• The Royal Family's influence in the 19th century revolutionized the celebration of Christmas, popularized by Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'
• Dickens challenges Sabbatarianism, opposing laws prohibiting leisure on Sundays, through the Ghost of Christmas Present in 'A Christmas Carol'
• Dickens uses 'A Christmas Carol' to emphasize the importance of honoring the principles of Christmas established in Victorian times