A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol Background Knowledge Thought questions: How are modern times in the US different from the 1800’s in England? What might these two time periods have in common?

The Victorian Era 1837-1901 Named for Queen Victoria of England Her reign began in 1837 Ends with Victoria death in 1901.

Social Climate Class Society: a society arrange by socio-economic factors. Wealthy at the top with almost all the power financial and political. Very limited social mobility. A person stayed in whatever station they were born into. clas.ufl.edu corbisimages.com

Social Climate continued The social classes were: The Upper Class -Very wealth the smallest but most powerful group. Middle Class a small but growing group that wanted social change, but lacked the political power. The Working Class: No political power and just barely able to maintain the necessities: food, clothing, shelter. The Under Class lived in extreme poverty usually on the streets and worked horrible jobs for minimal pay or resorted to crime.

Social Climate continued Poor Laws: In Victorian London being poor was a crime and if you could not pay your bills, you were sent to debtor’s prison. Where you worked off your debt and then were released. Debtor’s Prison A work house were those who couldn’t pay their bill were sent. They were forced to do whatever job was given them and the pay went directly to the people that the prisoner owed money to. The prisoner was released when all debt was paid.

Industrial Climate Shifted from agricultural to industrial society High air pollution from burning coal Small children many as young as 3 years old were forced to work 12-16 hour days in sewing mills, and mines. Children earned money to help support their families This limited the formal education that children recieved

Health Climate Health issues were greatly impacted both social issues and the industrial climate . No indoor plumbing lead to waste being dumped into the streets. High rate of air pollution from burning coal Poor sanitation especially in urban areas (London) Drinking water is contaminated by human, animal and industrial waste. Poor hygiene people bathed at most once a week. Poor access to healthcare. Only the wealthy saw a doctor regularly. britlitwiki.wikispaces.com

Educational Climate Only the wealth were formally educated High illiteracy among lower classes Only males attended college Female attended “finishing schools” Push for public education at the end of the Victorian Era in England Only people who could read could vote. newman.ac.uk

Charles Dickens 1812- 1870

Charles Dickens Born a sickly child Unable to play sports, Charles spent much of his childhood reading His father was a naval payment officer and a horrible businessman. Dickens’ father was sent to Debtor’s Prison in 1824.

Charles Dickens Charles’ family turned to him at that time to earn money. He worked in a shoe polish factory to pay off his father’s debts. After his father was released from prison, Charles and his father’s relationship was strained. Charles vowed he would never go to debtor’s prison.

Charles Dickens Writing Style and Famous works Dickens’ novels were originally published in parts through newspapers and literary magazines. (Serial novels) Dickens wrote very few drafts unlike most writers. Famous works: A Christmas Carol Oliver Twist A Tale of Two Cities Great Expectations