There is a great deal of warmth and humour in 'A Christmas Carol' alongside the ghostly atmosphere and social criticism. Discuss

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                                A Christmas Carol Coursework

                                                

                                        By Matt Petry

There is a great deal of warmth and humour in ‘A Christmas Carol’ alongside the ghostly atmosphere and social criticism. Discuss

In A Christmas Carol, the author, Charles Dickens writes a lot about social critiscm, the ghostly atmosphere that is present throughout almost every stave, as well as the warmth and humour of the story.

        Dickens had a very poor upbringing. He struggled to earn much money. This affected his inspiration for A Christmas Carol because he had experienced being poor and wanted people to realise how badly the poor needed help.

        Dickens originally was going to write a pamphlet ‘An Appeal To The People Of England.’ But abandoned it in favour of A Christmas Carol.

        During the Victorian era, the poor people had a very hard time. They relied heavily on the meagre wages that their employers paid them. Some even have to turn to crime to get an extra income. This is shown in Stave Four.

‘Mrs Dilber was next. Sheets. And towels, a little wearing apparel, two old fashioned silver teaspoons, a pair of sugar tongs, and a few boots. Her account was stated on the wall in the same manner.’ Here Mrs Dilber has stolen these things and has sold them to a pawnshop to gain some extra money. The Poor were forced to behave badly as a result of the society forged by people like Scrooge.

        Many of the rich people were very mean and insensitive. If the poor did not turn to crime they had the choice of going to the workhouses. However, the conditions of these places were terrible at best. Some charities tried to raise money to improve workhouses, but the rich believed that the poor should have gone to the workhouses, as they were better than the poor deserved. This is shown in Scrooge’s reaction when two gentlemen asked for a donation.

        ‘”I wish to be left alone,” Said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make myself merry at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned, they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.”’

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This is the typical reaction of many rich misers in London at the time.

        I feel that Dickens criticises his society throughout the story. It is a point that he wishes to show to people and get his message across. Dickens uses Scrooge show how mean people were.

        ‘The owner of one scant nose, gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs, stooped down at Scrooges keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol; but, at the first sound of

                                “God bless you, merry gentlemen,

                                May nothing you dismay!”

Scrooge seized the ruler ...

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