“A Christmas Carol” Background Information

“A Christmas Carol” Written by Charles Dickens in Charles Dickens was born in England on February 7, Was the author of other novels including: –Oliver Twist –David Copperfield –A Tale of Two Cities

The Victorian Era

Began in the 1800’s in England. The era was named after Queen Victoria of England. The living conditions for the poor at this time was unsanitary, tight, cramped, dirty, and polluted. About 1/3 of the people living in London at this time were living in poverty. Poor families had to send their children to work as young as five years old to survive.

The working conditions were horrible; children had to work long days and long hours. Many children died very young because of the horrible working conditions. Many children worked in factories, coal mines, iron mines, shipyards, construction, servants, chimney sweeps, gas works, or cotton mills.

The air in the city of London always smelled bad because –Everyone was burning coal to keep warm –There was no sewage system, which left waste to drain into the river –The people were not clean The main source of entertainment for the people at this time was literature/reading.

1890 Christmas Dinner Menu Raw Oysters Bouillon Fried smelts Sauce tartare Potatoes a la Maitre d' Hotel Sweetbread Pates Peas Roast Turkey Cranberry Sauce Roman Punch Quail with Truffles Rice Croquettes Parisian Salad Crackers and Cheese Nesselrode Pudding Fancy Cakes Fruit Coffee