A Christmas Carol - Poverty Flashcards
Themes
1
Q
what is Dickens’ message on poverty in the novel?
A
the impact of poverty on society and he uses this theme a lot to describe many situations
2
Q
how is poverty shown at the beginning of the novel?
A
- when Scrooge turns away the charity collectors and refuses to give them any money for the poor
3
Q
how is poverty shown more graphically?
A
through ‘Ignorance and Want’, two children who appear from underneath the Ghost of Christmas Present’s robe
4
Q
what do Ignorance and Want symbolise?
A
the needs of the poor and the ignorance of wealthy classes of those needs
5
Q
how is poverty shown through their facial features?
A
they are described as ‘pinched’ and ‘twisted’ as they ‘glared out menacing’
6
Q
why is Ignorance the most dangerous?
A
Dickens explains, he has ‘Doom’ written on his brow unless it is erased
7
Q
what is Dickens’ message regarding the workhouses?
A
- Scrooge’s words are quoted back to him when the Ghost asks, ‘Are there no prisons?’ when Scrooge asks if there is any ‘refuge or resource’ available to help the two children
- parishes were not allowed to hand out food, clothing or blankets to those in need due to the PLAA
- instead they had to enter a workhouse and there they were treated as if they had caused their poverty themselves and they should be punished
