A Christmas Carol Context Flashcards
(33 cards)
What significant changes did the Industrial Revolution bring?
Economic and social changes, worsening living and working conditions.
What did the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 establish?
The workhouse system, which was similar to a prison rather than a refuge.
How were workhouses designed?
To be cruel, separating families and enforcing hard labor.
What attitude did Victorians have towards the poor?
They viewed their predicament as entirely of their own making.
What does Scrooge symbolize in ‘A Christmas Carol’?
The Capitalist system that denies others access to wealth and opportunity.
How does Dickens contrast Scrooge with Mr. Fezziwig?
Mr. Fezziwig is depicted as a benevolent employer, unlike Scrooge.
What does Scrooge’s refusal to donate to the poor reveal?
His ignorance and support for the workhouse system.
What social context did the Victorians embed into Christmas traditions?
Christian values of charity, goodwill, and family.
What was the impact of high child mortality rates in Victorian England?
Resulted from malnourishment, poverty, and disease.
What does Marley represent in terms of Christian beliefs?
He symbolizes the concepts of Heaven, Hell, and repentance.
What does the Ghost of Christmas Present represent?
The personification of Christmas spirit: cheerful, giving, and jovial.
Fill in the blank: Child labour was a symptom of _______.
poverty
What did Dickens consider as destructive and harmful to humanity?
Capitalism
How does Dickens use Tiny Tim in ‘A Christmas Carol’?
To highlight child mortality and the consequences of the unfair Capitalist system.
What was the average family size in Victorian England?
Five or six children.
How does Dickens depict family life in ‘A Christmas Carol’?
As loving and supportive, contrasting with Scrooge’s loneliness.
What concept of marriage became common by the 19th century?
Companionate marriage based on mutual love.
What literary form became dominant during the Victorian era?
The novel
What is the main message of ‘A Christmas Carol’?
Everyone is capable of change, emphasizing charity and kindness.
What Gothic elements are present in ‘A Christmas Carol’?
Ghosts guiding Scrooge to redemption and confronting him with consequences.
What transformation does Scrooge undergo throughout the novella?
From a cruel miser to a benevolent and kind man.
In what year was the first collection of Christmas carols published?
The first collection of Christmas carols was published in 1833.
What did Dickens believe Christmas should be a time for?
Dickens believed Christmas should be a time of peace and goodwill to everyone, regardless of social status.
What does Dickens’ novella aim to spread regarding the Christmas spirit?
The novella aims to spread the message of Christmas spirit, encouraging people to help others during the holidays.
