a christmas carol Flashcards
what are the 5 pieces of context?
CIRT1
Charles dickens and the poor
Industrial revolution
Religion
Thomas Malthus
1834 poor law
context - industrial revolution
- immense change between 1760 - 1840
- it was a change from farming to factories - changed London from a rural state to an industrial state of factories and machines
- this was also known as the ‘progressive era’ as Britain was seen as the pinnacle of excellence and a symbol of progression - Britain was gaining domestic and foreign power throughout the world
- the industrial revolution meant that the class divide was exacerbated with the lower classes being subject to dangerous and dehumanising conditions
- dickens is critical of the industrial revolution and the overzealousness of money that was a by-product of the revolution - he was particularly scathing of the idea that Britain being the pinnacle of excellence when it neglected the most vulnerable
context - charles dickens and the poor
- dickens was extremely empathetic towards the poor and their suffering. As dickens himself grew up in poverty, he first hand experienced the mistreatment and exploitation of the poor.
- critic G.K. Chesterson characterised Dickens as “the spokesman of the poor”
- A christmas carol was written by Dickens in response to the Report of Children’s Employment Commission which covered the dehumanising and exploitative conditions children were subject too in the Victorian era.
- Dickens first wrote a pamphlet to try and spread awareness about the plight of the poor. He then turned this into a novella as he was aware that his fictional tales would galvanise more support for the poor as it would reach a larger readership.
- the cratchits and tiny tim’s death are characters that dickens has constructed to carry this message about the exploitation of the poor. Bob was exploited by Scrooge, his superior in the workforce, whilst tiny time was left to die due to neglection he faced from society.
context - thomas malthus
- influential british economist
- malthus believed that poverty was an inevitable consequence to the increasing population
- famine and poverty, he saw, were unavoidable, as due to an increasing population, it meant an increase in food demand
- dicken’s political diatribe can be seen as an anti-malthusian tale. he directly indicts the Malthusian idea of scarcity of supplies through the ghost of christmas present who sits on a pile of food and symbolises abundance.
context - 1834 poor law
- 1834 ‘the new poor law’ was introduced which caused the introduction of the workhouses
- the poor were sent to workhouses, which were intended to be there to provide shelter and food for the poor in exchange for work
- they were hubs of squalor which exploited the poor, splitting up families and making young children work in these belligerent conditions
- 145,000 people died each year working in the workhouses an around 10% of people admitted to the workhouses, would die. this including young children as young as 4 or 5.
- he first hand experienced the belligerent conditions and aimed to criticise the humanity of such laws. he uses scrooge’s ignorance to replicate the ignorance of the upper class towards the poor: “are there no prisons? Or the union workhouses?”
context - religion
- Victorian society was extremely religious, and it foundations were built on these very beliefs.
- redemption is instrumental in christianity - God provides individuals with redemption when sin has been confessed
- salvation = the salvation of mankind from jesus due to his resurrection - jesus returned to save mankind from its sins
- the 7 deadly sins were seen as the root of all evil: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth
- 7 deadly sins evident in scrooge : greed, gluttony, wrath
redemption and salvation is pivotal in scrooge’s transformation. his redemption and salvation is seen in stave 5 when he i reborn into a “baby”, showing how he has been redeemed from his sins and given another chance.
scrooge - dickens’ intentions
- dickens crafts an allegorical novella with a didactic purpose, aiming to convey a message about the virulent consequences of avariciousness and frugality in society.
- he criticises the upper classes for their apathy toward the poor and their complicity in perpetuating dehumanising laws and social structures through ignorance
- dickens communicates to his upper-class reader the important role of repentance and compassion increasing both personal and societal moral redemption. by holding up a mirror to his readership, he prompts them to introspect and assess whether their attitudes perpetuate social injustice or contribute to social reform.
- in stave 1, dickens deliberately portrays scrooge as deeply entrenched in his misanthropic attitudes, highlighting his transformative journey by Stave 5. By depicting Scrooge as a microcosm of the upper class, Dickens demonstrates the potential for change and personal growth, even in individuals with the most entrenched immorality.
- ultimately, dickens emphasises that social reform can be achieved when society is guided by principles of generosity and empathy.
Scrooge quotes
- “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” (stave 1)
- “he seized the extinguisher-cap and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head” (act 2 )
- “yellow” “wolfish” “scowling” (stave 3 - ignorance and want shown by ghost of christmas present)
- “I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The spirits of all Three shall strive within me” (stave 4)
- “quite a baby” “merry as a schoolboy” (stave 5)
scrooge - “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” (act 1 ) analysis
- themes - selfishness/materialism, social justice, religion
- the asyndetic listing - highlights his selfish and avaricious character. It portrays Scrooge’s immoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant “sinner”
- the use of 7 negative adjectives mirrors how there are 7 deadly sins, known as cardinal sins, which were seen in the bible as the root of all evil. As the foundations of Victorian morality was religion, the parallels between scrooge and the sins are used by Dickens to highlight how the rich, symbolised by Scrooge, are more inclined towards moral transgression than the poor.
- dickens implicitly critiques societal structures, such as the 1834 poor law, which were ironically designed to address the perceived sin and laziness of the poor.
- verbs “squeezing” and “wrenching” connotes a struggle : this illustrates how Scrooge struggles to see the detrimental consequences of his frugality and thus, his role in perpetuating social inequality.
- alternatively, the undertone of a struggle is used by Dickens to illustrate how the avariciousness of the upper classes directly causes a struggle for the impoverished.
link to other themes:
- regret/redemption: dickens constructs scrooge initially as a quintessential Victorian miser, embodying the archetype of a villain. However, this depiction serves to emphasise his journey of growth and transformation into a regretful and actively virtuous member of society.
scrooge - “he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head” (stave 2) analysis
- themes: supernatural, redemption
- verb “pressed” and adverb “sudden” : the aggressive verb “pressed”, combined with the adverb “sudden,” delves into scrooges immersion in deeply suppressed emotions. He reacts irrationally out of sheer panic, anticipating the prospect of confronting these stifled memories from his past.
- this ethereal figure serves as more than a symbol of scrooges past; it symbolises the supernatural intervention necessary for scrooge’s spiritual awakening. he wants to place the restrictive ‘cap’ upon its head in a futile attempt to evade the necessity of confronting his own humanity and the repercussions of his actions.
- *symbolism of the ghost: the ghost presented with iridescent imagery as it has a “bright clear jet of light”. This symbolism suggests that the ghost aspires to illuminate both the literal and metaphorical darkness in Scrooge’s life through revelation and reflection.
- the ghosts illumination of the past and its interconnected nature to the present, offers scrooge the chance to embark o a pathway of redemption. However, his attempt to cover the ghost with the ‘cap’ signifies his reluctance to embrace this opportunity for redemption.
link to other themes:
- kindness : the introduction to the supernatural eventually catalyses a change in scrooge as he becomes to shatter his insular views and begins to see the transformative power of empathy and how this can break the relentless cycle of unjust poverty.
scrooge - “yellow” “wolfish” “scowling” (stave 3 - ignorance and want shown by Ghost of Christmas present)
themes - selfishness/materialism, social justice, regret/redemption
- *Ignorance and want are allegorical characters who aim to highlight the unjustified abuse of children as a result of the callous and apathetic attitudes of the upper class.
- *image of yellow - the colour ‘yellow’ serves as a stark reminder of the physical sickness and malnutrition endure by neglected children, a consequences of societal neglect and individuals’ obliviousness to social injustice.
- the encounter between scrooge and these marginalised children illuminates that their poverty and suffering are directly caused by the affluent members of society, epitomised by characters like scrooge, whose covetousness outweighs their compassion.
- *animalistic imagery - there is a feral and animalistic portrayal of the children as they’re described as “scowling” and “wolfish”. this animalistic image highlights how poverty dehumanises individuals, stripping them of their humanity and reducing them to less than an animalistic state of being.
- alternatively, dickens employs scrooge, an extension of the ignorant wealthy, to encounter the dehumanised poor, illustrating that the only remedy to societal ills is for the rick to acknowledge their role in perpetuating poverty and dehumanising the impoverished. this catalyses scrooge’s redeption
- this notion is exemplified in scrooge’s repentence in stave 3, evident in his use of imperatives like “tell me if Tiny Tim will live”, showcasing his desperate attempt to reverse his ignorance towards the plight of the destitute, recognising his humanity amidst a society that has treated them in an animalistic way.
link to other themes:
- religion: as the ghost of christmas present is presented in a god like omniscient war, it illustrates the transformative power of religion and how it is inextricably linked to morality. By bringing an individual back to the foundational teachings of christianity, it creates spiritual enlightenment which allows individuals like scrooge to become champions of social justice.
- supernatural and kindness: the introduction to the supernatural catalyses a change in scrooge as he becomes to shatter his insular views and begins to see the transformative power of empathy and how this can break the relentless cycle of unjust poverty.
Scrooge - “I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The spirits of all Three shall strive within me” (stave 4) analysis
- themes: selfishness/materialism, supernatural, religion, regret/redemption
-* religious allusions: the concept of “three” could be a biblical allusion to the three different aspects of God within the holy trinity: the father, the son and the holy spirit. This could emphasise how the three ghosts almost acted as incarnations of God himself - relaying a moral and religious message that penetrated deeply within scrooge. - when he speaks of them striving “within me”, it signifies his internalisation of their moral teachings and his desperation to be given the opportunity to embark on the path of salvation and redemption (save from sins)
- *justaposition between ‘past, present and future’: the juxtaposing passages of time serve as a symbolic reflection of the stark contrast between Scrooge’s former avaricious self and his transformation into a person dedicated to redemption, moral and spiritual enlightenment.
- the passage of time also emphasises his realisation of how his attitude in the “past” and “present” was not only perpetuating his “solitary” existence, but also contributed to the systemic oppression and exploitation of the vulnerable in society.
scrooge - “quite a baby” “merry as a schoolboy” stave 5
- themes: selfishness, religion, regret/redemption, social justice
- *infantile language: scrooge’s infantile self-descriptions indicates his rebirth as he brands himself as a “baby” and a “schoolboy”. As both connote innocence and youth, scrooge is showcasing how through his repenting for his sins, he has now regained his youthful innocence and ability to see the world through an untainted light - he now views it through compassion, kindness and benevolence.
- as being a “baby” is the start of life, this signifies that scrooge has been reborn as he has gone from a selfish “old sinner” back to the most innocent form of human life - had the ultimate rebirth.
- *christian ideas of rebirth;the concept of rebirth holds significance in christianity, symbolising a spiritual renewal and connection with God. This is deeply intertwined with the belief in Jesus Christ’s rebirth, which offered salvation to humanity
- similarly, scrooge’s own rebirth may hold the promise of salvation and relief for the less fortunate, as he assumes a paternal role akin to a “second father” to Tiny Tim, embodying compassion and generosity toward those in need.
link to other themes:
- kindness/family: through scrooge’s portrayal as a microcosm of the upper class, dickens illustrates the easy potential for personal transformation and redemption. By depicting Scrooge’s transformation from avarice to altruism and genuine compassion, dickens showcases the possibility of catalysing positive change within society simply by replacing selfishness with empathy and kindness.
the ghosts - dickens intentions
- dickens crafts the ghosts as vehicles fo rconveying his condemption of the ignorance and callousness prevalent among the materialistic upper classes. Thus, the ghosts serve as Dickens’ mouthpiece, delivering a powerful message advocating for compassion and societal reform.
- each ghost introduces a comical and entertaining element, enabling dickens to subtly yet effectively depict the corrosive impact of greed and apathy. however, through scrooge’s transformation, dickens utilises the ghosts to show the potential for reversing this damage. they serve as symbols of positive social chnage, highlighting the possibility of societal transformation and social justice.
- time and change serve as important motifs introduced by dickens in his allegorical novella through the ghosts. these motifs are used to illustrate the interconnection between the past, present, and the future, and their influence on the trajectory of societal progress or decline.
marley quotes
“I wear the chain I forged in life… I made it link by link” (stave 1)
“Mankind was my business” (stave 1)
