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A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickin's Allusion of the True Darkness of the Society of England During the Victorian

Period

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Brief Background of Charles Dickens

• Born on February 7, 1812 in Landport, Porthsmouth, England• Died June 8, 1870 in Gad’s Hill Place, Higham, Kent,

England • Prominent English writer during the Victorian period• Regarded criticism as a form of improvement

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History of the Novella

• Economic crisis and impact on individuals led to the poverty levels within English society• Unequal living conditions based on poverty causes Dickin's

to show people the true meaning of humanity.

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Main Points Concerning the Novella

• The protagonist originally is a bitter and frugal businessman who is indifferent to people throughout the year, especially during the season of Christmas.

• He is abrasive to his employer, meek Bob Cratchit. • He disregards the kindness bestowed from charity workers who enter his

business establishment, responding in a cruel-like manner when he says the people who need the money have a better change in working in the work houses.

• He departs to his house where he is visited by three ghosts after the ghost of his former and deceased business partner warns his to mend his way or else he will suffer both in life and death if he is too obsessed with his money.

• After this visit, Scrooge blames the visit of the ghost as a consequence of cold soup and ignores everything.

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The Ghost of Christmas Past

• Shows the last shred of humanity of Dickens as a young schoolboy who's father sent him away to school.• While alone during Christmas break, his younger sister

arrives to take him home with the consent of their father.• His sister will face death after the birth of her son,

Scrooge's nephew.

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The Ghost of Christmas Present

• Takes Scrooge to his nephew's party, the one he did not go to, to watch the people enjoying themselves. His nephew toasted him even though he does not offer him any shred of kindness.• Takes Scrooge to his employee's home to see his family.

Through this experience he is able to see his young son suffering from sickness.

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The Ghost of Christmas Future

• Shows the family grieving the loss of their young son, Tiny Tim.• Shows him dead and thieves stealing from his own home,

stating that no one would care for his possessions based on how no one cares for him.• Shows the gravestones of Tiny Tim and Scrooge.

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Conclusion

• Scrooge wakes up from his dream feeling an inspiration of humanity and treasures the spirit of Christmas.• He goes to Cratchit's house to provide them the best

holiday meal. Scrooge ended up being like a second father to Tiny Tim.

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Underlying Theme: Economic Poverty

• Through using a revival of the holiday of Christmas for an individual, Dickens shows how the people during the Victorian period is not living a stable life because a percentage of the people did not have the ability to support themselves.

• Poverty levels during the Victorian period was extensive

• Brought the forgotten poor and disadvantaged people to light

• Influenced problems regarding class oppression, sanitation, and workhouses

• Acknowledged social injustices that were being ignored