1. With reference to three characters, how does Dickens use description to show the different attitudes towards the poor in Victorian England? How do the same characters reflect the importance and values of Christmas? (Use quotes and examples throughout. Stick to what is being asked by the essay and give a detailed response). Introduction – begin by giving some information on the background to the novella (the example introduction I gave you in class can be adapted for this purpose). Mention the carol referred to in the title of the novella and the two main meanings of carol and why this is important. Ensure you refer to the two important lines in “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and the reason why the chapters are uniquely referred to as staves. Remember to mention why the story is written in the first person and the first and secondary audiences that Dickens is writing for. Mention that there are many interesting characters in the novella but you are going to concentrate on only three: Scrooge, Fezziwig and the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge Mention that Scrooge is the protagonist of the story and that he embodies (reflects) the selfish rich of the City of London (the people who deal with finance, banking, stocks and shares etc.) who make money just for money’s sake but do not spend it to improve the lives of others especially the poor. Remember to write about the different ways he is portrayed (the essay you have written about him will be extremely useful here). Ensure you point out the irony that Scrooge is so obsessed with the accumulation of money that he spends very little of it on himself but just hoards it. He leads a lonely existence and the physical description of him makes him seem like a living ghost. Make the point that Scrooge does nothing illegal in the story but that his attitude and actions (and lack of action in failing to take steps to help those in need) is seen as immoral. Make sure you find quotes and examples to show that he is blind to the real values in life and has lost touch with his moral duty to care for the disadvantaged in life. Refer to the words that would have appeared extreme to Victorian readers regarding Scrooge’s moral standing. Make sure you write about his attitude towards the poor and his solution for them. Don’t forget to write that Dickens uses humour to great effect in describing Scrooge. Ensure to mention that his outlook is so extreme in order to make his redemption at the end of the novel all the greater. Fezziwig Make sure you contrast the differences between Fezziwig and Scrooge as employers. Make the point that apprentices were not rich and were indentured (contracted) to spend many years with their employer while they learned their trade. Therefore employers were in a very strong position and had the power to make an apprentice’s life exceedingly miserable if they wished to. Mention why he is so loved by everybody- give examples of his thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit. Mention the importance of the party he throws every Christmas Eve. Ensure you write about the description of him and the old, traditional values of Christmas that he represents (embodies). The Ghost of Christmas Present In many ways the Ghost reflects Dickens’s own views on Christmas and the duty to care for the poor. Ensure you mention how his description links strongly with the themes of Christmas. Compare his description to Scrooge and what this tells the reader. Make the point that he is closer in appearance to Fezziwig and is a mixture of a ghost, a guide, an angel, a god and Father Christmas all rolled into one. Ensure you mention the importance of what he carries and that he is in control. He is also a guide and a teacher: his purpose is to teach Scrooge some important lessons. Remember to mention the pun on the words “Spirit” and also “present”. Give examples of the good deeds he does for the poor. Mention his role as protector of Ignorance and Want and his warning to Scrooge and to all the readers of the terrible consequences that will fall on us all if we fail to tackle Ignorance and Want. Make sure you mention the significance of Want and Ignorance being “hidden” beneath the Spirit’s robes. Discuss why these ideas are represented as children in the novella. Mention what Scrooge’s own particular want was when he was a child and how this could possibly explain (to some extent) his hardening, frosty nature as he grows to adulthood. Ensure you mention the lessons the Spirit teaches Scrooge. In conclusion write that “A Christmas Carol” may be overly sentimental but that Dickens was writing for a Victorian audience that enjoyed sentimental stories especially ones containing ghosts. Mention that there must also be something that has fascinated people ever since, given the numerous film, radio and stage versions there has been. The fact that there is a new film version out now shows that the story has not lost any of its appeal to a modern audience. Conclude that “A Christmas Carol” remains popular because of the colourful and larger than life characters it contains but because of its timeless theme of good overcoming evil and the optimism within it: that people are capable of changing for the better and can find redemption and happiness.
