Context

• When was Charles Dickens born and when did he die?

  Born on 7th February 1812 and died on 8th June 1870
• What is Dickens credited with in relation to the Victorian era?

  Being one of the greatest writers
• What notable work did Dickens write in 1843?

  'A Christmas Carol'
• How did Dickens begin his literary career?

  As a journalist
• In what year did Dickens become a parliamentary journalist?

  1833
• What impact did Dickens' experiences as a journalist have on his writing?

  They made him more socially aware and inspired social commentary in his work
• What social issue does 'A Christmas Carol' explore?

  Poverty within society
• How is 'A Christmas Carol' related to Dickens' life experiences?

  It reflects his social consciousness and sympathy towards the lower-class
• What type of family was Dickens born into?

  A middle-class family
• What event caused Dickens' education to be interrupted?

  His father's financial difficulties and imprisonment in debtors' prison
• How does Dickens' father's occupation relate to the character Bob Cratchit?

  Both were clerks
• How does Dickens' childhood experience influence his portrayal of the Cratchit family?

  His own home life was similar, leading to a sympathetic portrayal
• At what age was Dickens separated from his family?

  At twelve years old
• Where was Dickens sent to live and work after being separated from his family?

  Warren’s Blacking Factory
• What did Dickens experience while working at the factory?

  Appalling working conditions faced by the poor
• How did Dickens' experience at the factory shape his views on society?

  It gave him a firsthand view of poverty
• What allowed Dickens to return to education after working at the factory?

  His father's inheritance of money
• What does Dickens' return to education after hardship highlight?

  The unjust inequalities of life between the rich and the poor
• How does Scrooge's character reflect Dickens' own childhood experiences?

  Scrooge's lonely childhood mirrors Dickens' own hardships
• What does the Ghost of 'Christmas Past' reveal about Scrooge?

  His childhood experiences shaped his character
• What are the key impacts of Dickens' journalism on 'A Christmas Carol'?

  • Reflects his beliefs on society
  • Aims to make social issues accessible to the public
  • Highlights the troubles of poverty
• What is the name of Dickens' sister who inspired a character in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  Fanny
• How is Fanny represented in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  As a symbol of goodness
• Who is Tiny Tim in relation to Dickens' life?

  Inspired by Dickens' nephew who was crippled
• What role does Tiny Tim play in Scrooge's character development?

  He helps Scrooge discover empathy
• What recurring theme is illustrated through Dickens' value of education?

  Linking "Ignorance" and "doom"
• How does Dickens' proximity to workhouses influence 'A Christmas Carol'?

  It enables him to empathize with the working class
• What was the Industrial Revolution characterized by?

  Migration from the countryside to the city for work
• What was the primary mode of production during the Industrial Revolution?


  Machines in factories
• How did the Industrial Revolution impact the textile industry?

  Textile production moved from homes to large factories
• What was the effect of mechanization on the demand for workers?

  It reduced the demand for workers
• How did the end of the Industrial Revolution affect the working class?

  It exacerbated inequalities and made it harder to earn a living
• What were the societal impacts of the Industrial Revolution?

  • Overpopulation and formation of slums
  • Increased spread of disease
  • Exploitation of child labor
• How does Scrooge's view of the working class reflect societal attitudes during the Industrial Revolution?

  He refers to them as the "surplus population"
• What does the Cratchit household exemplify in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  The cramped housing conditions caused by overpopulation
• What was the working age for children during the Industrial Revolution?

  As young as five years old
• How does Dickens portray the consequences of child labor in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  As a tragic necessity for families to survive
• How does the Industrial Revolution function as a character in 'A Christmas Carol'?

  • Dictates the lives of the working class
  • Highlights the plight of the Cratchits
  • Represents the power dynamics of society

  
• How does Dickens criticize the Industrial Revolution through Scrooge's character?

  By showing his unfavourable treatment of his worker Fred
• What does Scrooge's hyperbolic speech reveal about his character?

  His ignorance and disdain for the festive spirit