A Christmas Carol Context Flashcards
What were living conditions like for the poor in Victorian England?
Many poor people lived in overcrowded, unsanitary slums with limited access to food, water, and healthcare. Workhouses were common for those who couldn’t support themselves.
What was the Industrial Revolution, and how did it affect society?
The Industrial Revolution led to mass urbanization and created wealth for factory owners, but also resulted in widespread poverty and poor working conditions for laborers.
What was the ‘surplus population’ concept, and how is it reflected in A Christmas Carol?
The concept argued that the poor were an economic burden. Dickens criticizes this view through Scrooge’s initial attitude toward the poor, which he later rejects.
How were children affected by poverty in Victorian England?
Many children were forced to work in dangerous conditions in factories, mines, or as chimney sweeps, with little access to education.
What role did the Poor Laws play in Victorian society?
The Poor Laws provided relief to the poor but often forced them into workhouses, which were harsh, prison-like institutions designed to discourage reliance on public assistance.
What was the attitude toward Christmas in the early Victorian period?
Christmas was not widely celebrated before the Victorian era. Dickens helped popularize modern Christmas traditions, focusing on generosity, family, and goodwill.
Who was Thomas Malthus, and how did his ideas influence Victorian attitudes toward the poor?
Malthus believed population growth would outpace food supply, supporting the view that aiding the poor would worsen overpopulation. Dickens criticizes this in A Christmas Carol.
How were social class divisions viewed in Victorian England?
Victorian society was highly stratified, with rigid class distinctions. The wealthy enjoyed privileges, while the working poor had little access to education or social mobility.
What was the role of charity in Victorian England?
Charity was seen as a moral obligation, but often in a paternalistic way. Dickens advocated for empathy and systemic change rather than token gestures of charity.
How did the concept of ‘self-help’ influence Victorian values?
‘Self-help’ promoted the idea that individuals were responsible for their own success, leading to a lack of sympathy for the poor, who were seen as responsible for their own plight.
How does A Christmas Carol reflect Dickens’ critique of capitalism?
Through Scrooge’s transformation, Dickens critiques the greed and moral indifference of capitalists who prioritize profit over human welfare, advocating for more compassion.
What was the significance of workhouses in Victorian England?
Workhouses were harsh institutions where the poor worked for food and shelter. They symbolized the inhumane treatment of the poor by society.
How did the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor affect social policies in Victorian England?
Social policies often favored the ‘deserving’ poor (those seen as poor through no fault of their own), while the ‘undeserving’ poor (seen as lazy) received little support.
How did Dickens’ own life influence A Christmas Carol?
Dickens’ experiences with poverty as a child, including working in a factory when his father was imprisoned for debt, deeply influenced his sympathy for the poor and his critique of social inequality.
What was the role of religion in Victorian attitudes toward poverty?
Religion played a dual role: some saw charity as a Christian duty, while others viewed poverty as a punishment for sin. Dickens emphasized moral duty and compassion.
