A Christmas Carol By: Charles Dickens

Definition- to approach and speak unpleasantly to. Accost Definition- to approach and speak unpleasantly to. Sentence: Mr. Schu was stunned when Sue accosted him in the hallway; she wouldn’t stop yelling!

Anonymous Definition- not having one’s name known Sentence: It is best that voting remains anonymous for many reasons.

Brusque Definition- abrupt or blunt in speaking Sentence: Tom is so brusque, that he always catches me off guard with his out-of-nowhere comments.

Sentence: The currency in Spain is the Euro. Definition- money Sentence: The currency in Spain is the Euro.

Definition- confusing/not understandable Incoherent Definition- confusing/not understandable Sentence: Sally’s incoherent ramblings made me very confused about what she was actually trying to say.

Infuriated Definition- made very angry Sentence: Amy was infuriated when Al stood her up for their big date.

Background… The story we are about to read takes place in Victorian England. During this time, poor people did not receive much help. Even young children, sick people, and the elderly went without assistance from the government or charities.

Background… If a person was poor, their choices were: beg on the street, go to a workhouse, or be thrown in prison. Workhouses were institutions where people were put to work in exchange for food and shelter. These places often had no heat, rags for blankets, not much food, and leaders that beat the workers.

Background… Charles Dickens lived in England during this time, and noticed all these things. He also noticed a decline in celebrating Christmas. Many employers didn’t even give their workers the day off!

Background… Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” and revived many Christmas traditions! People started calling him “The Man who Discovered Christmas”. The book also brought upon many other changes in Victorian England….

Background… One change was that a home for poor and orphaned children was opened up in London. Another is that employers began giving their employees the day off for major holidays.

Background… Dickens was actually very poor growing up and was concerned about helping the poor. He began reading “A Christmas Carol” at events and giving the money he was paid to charities for the poor.

The saying I agree with the most is: Next to each saying, write what you think it means. Then choose the saying you most agree with and write why. Saying What I think it means “Time is money.” “Show me the money.” “Money makes the world go ‘round.” “You can’t buy happiness.” The saying I agree with the most is:

After Reading… On a sheet of lined paper, write your name, today’s date, your class, and the title “A Christmas Carol” Read page 425. In one paragraph, explain what prompted Dickens to write “A Christmas Carol”. In complete sentences, complete questions 1-3 and 5-8. As #9, in one paragraph write down the answer to the question: Do you think people can be happy without a lot of money?