ACC context Flashcards
What did the Poor Law amendment act of 1834 do?
reduced the support available for the poor
How is ACC a criticism of government policy?
Scrooge is in favour of the poor law, which is a government policy. This shows that Scrooge is a representation of the government and that Dickens is also criticizing the government.
What was Thomas Malthus’s view?
Starvation was the inevitable result of overpopulation and that there was not enough resources for everyone.
What was Dickens view?
A counter to Thomas Malthus’s view and the government policy that there was enough food to go round.
What is symbolic about Plentys Horn?
Its a symbol of abundance to counter Thomas Malthus’s views, there is enough food to go round, and Dickens uses Christmas to show this abundance as a lot of food is eaten on Christmas.
What were Dickens views about education and poverty?
Dickens was a social reformer, meaning he wanted society to change and wanted to eradicate poverty. As a part of the social reform, he was aware about the lack of education and the poverty. In the quote ‘‘This boy is ignorance, This girl is want’’ Dickens uses the two children which personifies the lack of education, and the poverty, using ‘‘ignorance’’ to symbolise lack of education, and ‘‘want’’ to symbolise basic needs that the poor lack. . Dickens thought that education can be a way out of poverty, which is why he supported the Ragged Schools.
