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A Christmas Carol: context and themes
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Dickens wanted to change how wealthy Victorians treated the poor. Context explains the anger behind the story.
Victorian poverty
Many poor people in 1840s London lived in terrible conditions.
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 forced many poor people into harsh workhouses.
Dickens had worked in a factory as a child while his father was in a debtors' prison.
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 forced many poor people into harsh workhouses.
Dickens had worked in a factory as a child while his father was in a debtors' prison.
Malthus and the surplus population
The writer Thomas Malthus argued that population growth would outrun food supply.
Scrooge's phrase "surplus population" echoes these ideas, and Dickens attacks them.
Scrooge's phrase "surplus population" echoes these ideas, and Dickens attacks them.
Key themes
Social responsibility: the rich should help the poor.
Redemption: anyone can change.
Family: the Cratchits are poor but loving.
Christmas: a time of generosity and goodwill.
Redemption: anyone can change.
Family: the Cratchits are poor but loving.
Christmas: a time of generosity and goodwill.
Why does Scrooge mention prisons and workhouses?
- They were the harsh official answers to poverty in the 1840s.
- Scrooge thinks paying taxes for them is enough.
- Dickens shows this attitude is cruel and lazy, to make his readers think again.
Answer: To criticise the idea that harsh institutions are enough to deal with poverty.
Written in 1843 to attack the treatment of the poor under the 1834 Poor Law and Malthusian ideas. Themes: social responsibility, redemption, family and Christmas.
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