How does Dickens present the theme of poverty?
The novella presents poverty as a typical, rife problem throughout Victorian England, that the
upper class chooses to ignore.
When “two portly gentlemen” ask scrooge for some money he bitterly states – “no
contributions” - selfish, unwilling to help poor - miserly
“many thousands” poverty is widespread throughout Victorian England
Industrial revolution- many left jobless in countryside - Dickens believed that the rich and
upper class should help the poor-Unlike Thomas Malthus who believed the poor are “ idle”
- mirrored by Scrooge
S= ‘decrease surplus population’ (this is embodied by TT) + thought charity encouraged
poverty and he advocated “workhouses” dickens= knew about the plight of poor as he
grew up in poverty- wanted to raise awareness.
“Poor law” – not in favour of poor, only those who went to workhouses would get poor
relief. Workhouses = terrible cramped conditions, malnourished and unsanitary. Scrooge
is oblivious of this – mentions their “useful course”
Scrooge has also never penetrated the part of town with a “bad repute” showing –
oblivious of the lives of the poor
Poverty = also shown in stave 4 where Scrooge is showing “disgust” by the poor stealing
a man's belongings – even though this shows how desperate and dire their situation is -
they feel lucky and proud to have “bed curtains”.
The Cratchit family show that poverty does not always equate to misery and despair.
The family = used to trigger a sympathetic response – upper class – take action +
responsibility for the poor (when we see them celebrating Christmas)
“twice turned gown” = frugal – worn out clothes – she must reuse however poverty does
not keep her down – verb “up rose” - she still takes pride I herself despite situation
“as good as gold” - gold holds value and so does tiny Tim; member of family –
representation of surplus population (Thomas Malthus) - extra mouth to feed but unable
to work (cripple) – adds no value to the economy + strain on societies resources.
TT wants people – see him in church and be reminded of the gifts, god has given them
“lame beggars walk...blind men see” - use disability to make others appreciative
The scene where Cratchits prepare meal = sensory - “ crammed...plunged” - vigor +
energy – eager to eat + prepare together – proves Thomas Malfus = wrong – whole family
participated - everybody had a role
The imagery of abundance shows – content with what they have “sufficient dinner for
whole family”. “There never was such a goose”- exaggeration – appreciation for a goose –
context – geese were cheaper than turkey – shows their poverty however they describe it
as “exquisite”
“one small atom of bone” left on plate – emphasizes their poverty – no waste
Anxiety about the “pudding” - meal = precious and rare for them - don’t want anything to
go wrong.
Readers reaction = Scrooge is selfish for not sharing his wealth and depriving a
deserving family of a decent meal, however – pity Scrooge - doesn’t have a family – share
wealth with + never experienced joys of Christmas dinner even though he is rich.
Although they are poor, they are generous in “shovel full of chestnuts on fire” opposite of
Scrooge again - although they are poor they are not stingy on Christmas day.
The novella presents poverty as a typical, rife problem throughout Victorian England, that the
upper class chooses to ignore.
When “two portly gentlemen” ask scrooge for some money he bitterly states – “no
contributions” - selfish, unwilling to help poor - miserly
“many thousands” poverty is widespread throughout Victorian England
Industrial revolution- many left jobless in countryside - Dickens believed that the rich and
upper class should help the poor-Unlike Thomas Malthus who believed the poor are “ idle”
- mirrored by Scrooge
S= ‘decrease surplus population’ (this is embodied by TT) + thought charity encouraged
poverty and he advocated “workhouses” dickens= knew about the plight of poor as he
grew up in poverty- wanted to raise awareness.
“Poor law” – not in favour of poor, only those who went to workhouses would get poor
relief. Workhouses = terrible cramped conditions, malnourished and unsanitary. Scrooge
is oblivious of this – mentions their “useful course”
Scrooge has also never penetrated the part of town with a “bad repute” showing –
oblivious of the lives of the poor
Poverty = also shown in stave 4 where Scrooge is showing “disgust” by the poor stealing
a man's belongings – even though this shows how desperate and dire their situation is -
they feel lucky and proud to have “bed curtains”.
The Cratchit family show that poverty does not always equate to misery and despair.
The family = used to trigger a sympathetic response – upper class – take action +
responsibility for the poor (when we see them celebrating Christmas)
“twice turned gown” = frugal – worn out clothes – she must reuse however poverty does
not keep her down – verb “up rose” - she still takes pride I herself despite situation
“as good as gold” - gold holds value and so does tiny Tim; member of family –
representation of surplus population (Thomas Malthus) - extra mouth to feed but unable
to work (cripple) – adds no value to the economy + strain on societies resources.
TT wants people – see him in church and be reminded of the gifts, god has given them
“lame beggars walk...blind men see” - use disability to make others appreciative
The scene where Cratchits prepare meal = sensory - “ crammed...plunged” - vigor +
energy – eager to eat + prepare together – proves Thomas Malfus = wrong – whole family
participated - everybody had a role
The imagery of abundance shows – content with what they have “sufficient dinner for
whole family”. “There never was such a goose”- exaggeration – appreciation for a goose –
context – geese were cheaper than turkey – shows their poverty however they describe it
as “exquisite”
“one small atom of bone” left on plate – emphasizes their poverty – no waste
Anxiety about the “pudding” - meal = precious and rare for them - don’t want anything to
go wrong.
Readers reaction = Scrooge is selfish for not sharing his wealth and depriving a
deserving family of a decent meal, however – pity Scrooge - doesn’t have a family – share
wealth with + never experienced joys of Christmas dinner even though he is rich.
Although they are poor, they are generous in “shovel full of chestnuts on fire” opposite of
Scrooge again - although they are poor they are not stingy on Christmas day.
