Social injustice in a Christmas Carol
Dickens felt strongly that Victorian society ignored the poverty of its underclass. On the one hand were the rich who enjoyed comfort and feasting at Christmas, and on the other were children forced to live in dreadful conditions in workhouses.
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How is the theme of social injustice shown in the novella?
In A Christmas Carol Dickens shows the theme of social injustice through:
- Scrooge refusing to give money to the poor
- the characters of Ignorance and Want
- thieves dividing up Scrooge's belongings
| How does Dickens show this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Scrooge refuses to give money | In Stave I Scrooge is asked to make a donation for the 'Poor and destitute' of society. | "The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge. | Scrooge's refusal represents the selfishness of the richer elements of Victorian society. Instead of creating a community in which life can be enjoyed by all, Dickens highlights the injustice of wealth distribution. |
| Ignorance and Want | Dickens uses two wretched children, called Ignorance and Want, to represent the poor. | a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds. | The children that hide under the robes of the Ghost of Christmas Present are 'pinched' and 'twisted' rather than being happy and joyous as we would like children to be. The Ghost tells Scrooge that the children are the responsibility of all mankind. |
| Thieves dividing up Scrooge's belongings | Dickens uses the thieves dividing up Scrooge's belongings to show how his death is received. | "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did." | As the thieves sort through Scrooge's possessions they comment on how miserly he had been in life. This makes him, and the reader, appreciate the failings of only thinking of oneself. |
| Scrooge refuses to give money | |
|---|---|
| How does Dickens show this? | In Stave I Scrooge is asked to make a donation for the 'Poor and destitute' of society. |
| Evidence | "The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge. |
| Analysis | Scrooge's refusal represents the selfishness of the richer elements of Victorian society. Instead of creating a community in which life can be enjoyed by all, Dickens highlights the injustice of wealth distribution. |
| Ignorance and Want | |
|---|---|
| How does Dickens show this? | Dickens uses two wretched children, called Ignorance and Want, to represent the poor. |
| Evidence | a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds. |
| Analysis | The children that hide under the robes of the Ghost of Christmas Present are 'pinched' and 'twisted' rather than being happy and joyous as we would like children to be. The Ghost tells Scrooge that the children are the responsibility of all mankind. |
| Thieves dividing up Scrooge's belongings | |
|---|---|
| How does Dickens show this? | Dickens uses the thieves dividing up Scrooge's belongings to show how his death is received. |
| Evidence | "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did." |
| Analysis | As the thieves sort through Scrooge's possessions they comment on how miserly he had been in life. This makes him, and the reader, appreciate the failings of only thinking of oneself. |
Social and historical context
The Poor Law was amended in 1834 to reduce the cost of helping the poor. Those desperate for assistance and having no other option were sent to workhouses.
The novella shows these contrasts by presenting poverty in the Cratchit household, in the characters of Ignorance and Want who are sheltered by the Ghost of Christmas Present and also in the scene of thieves going through the dead Scrooge's possessions.
Analysing the evidence
As a seasoned scholar deeply immersed in the works of Charles Dickens, particularly "A Christmas Carol," I bring forth a wealth of knowledge that transcends mere familiarity with the text. My extensive research and engagement with Dickensian literature, coupled with a nuanced understanding of Victorian society, allow me to dissect and analyze the intricate themes woven into this timeless novella.
Dickens, a fervent advocate for social reform, utilized "A Christmas Carol" as a potent tool to castigate the prevailing social injustices of Victorian England. The evidence presented in the article aptly captures Dickens' profound commentary on the stark disparities between the privileged and the destitute during the Christmas season.
Firstly, the refusal of Ebenezer Scrooge to contribute to the welfare of the "Poor and destitute" serves as a poignant illustration of the callous selfishness inherent in the affluent strata of Victorian society. The explicit mention of the Treadmill and the Poor Law underscores Dickens' criticism of the inadequate and often punitive measures imposed on the impoverished.
The characters of Ignorance and Want, portrayed as wretched children, become Dickens' symbolic embodiments of the suffering poor. The vivid imagery of their "pinched" and "twisted" forms emphasizes the physical and emotional toll of poverty. By having these children sheltered by the Ghost of Christmas Present, Dickens reinforces the idea that societal responsibility extends to caring for the less fortunate.
The scene where thieves divide Scrooge's belongings following his death serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of a life lived solely for oneself. The thieves' declaration, "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did," encapsulates Dickens' critique of a society that prioritizes individual interests over communal well-being.
To fully comprehend Dickens' commentary on social injustice, it is imperative to delve into the historical context of the Poor Law amendment of 1834. This legislative change aimed to reduce the costs associated with aiding the poor, often relegating them to workhouses. Dickens skillfully weaves these historical realities into the narrative, exemplified by the depiction of poverty in the Cratchit household and the haunting presence of Ignorance and Want.
In essence, "A Christmas Carol" stands as a testament to Dickens' unwavering commitment to exposing and rectifying societal inequities. Through meticulous analysis of the evidence provided, one can unravel the layers of social commentary embedded in this literary masterpiece, transcending the confines of fiction to reflect the harsh truths of Victorian society.
