Poverty

Question 1

Poverty in stave 1 & 2

Answer 1

‘think of people below them’
‘are there no workhouses?’
‘many would rather die’
‘not unlike Plenty’s horn’
‘This boy is Ignorance, This girl is Want’
‘Are there no workhouses?’

Question 2

Poverty in staves 3,4 &5

Answer 2

‘four-roomed house’
‘he boasted no great coat’
‘it was a sufficient dinner’
‘not a farthing less’
‘I’ll raise your salary’

Question 3

Poverty
1st point & quotations

Answer 3

First introduced Fred’s charitable attitude ‘think of those below them’ acknowledges divide in wealth, encourages others to do same, Scrooge ignores, later demands ‘Are there no workhouses?’ lack of empathy to the impoverished ‘many would rather die’ Dickens condemns governments system, forces desperate people into manual labour, asks reader to question effect of deterrent

Question 4

Poverty
2nd point & quotations

Answer 4

Ghost of Christmas Present, list of christmas food, time for over indulgence, abundance of food not accessible to the poor, represents 40% of nations wealth owned by 5% of population ‘not unlike Plenty’s horn’ cornucopia, more than enough to go round

Question 5

Poverty
3rd point & quotations

Answer 5

Personified childish figures ‘This boy is Ignorance, This girl is Want’ Dickens’ belief of the two main evils in society ‘Ignorance’ need for education so poor children can escape life, rich not caring for those in need ‘Want’ constant desire for more, privileged are never satisfied, innocent children creates pathos uses Scrooge’s words ‘Are there no workhouses?’ pushes guilt on Scrooge, emphasise responsibility

Question 6

Poverty
4th point & quotations

Answer 6

Cratchits financial struggles explicitly shown ‘four-roomed house’ great family cramped, common due to Industrial rev ‘he boasted no great coat’ little money they have spent on essentials, warmth is luxury they can’t afford ‘it was a sufficient dinner’ build up of excitement for small, basic food, underwhelming, creates sympathy, no indulgence

Question 7

Poverty
5th point & quotations

Answer 7

Scrooge realises social divide, attempts to correct it, donates large sum of money, insists ‘not a farthing less’ little effort it takes to be charitable ‘I’ll raise your salary’ appreciates Bob’s hard work, tries to make up for years of small wages, gives Bob life he deserves, fairy tale ending, villain becoming kind, didactic message of generosity