A Christmas Carol Key Theme: Poverty (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)

Revision Note

Written by: Deb Orrock, English Content Creator

Reviewed by: Kate Lee, English and Languages Lead

The theme of poverty in each stave of A Christmas Carol:

Stave	Quote	Summary
1	“Are there no prisons?”	Dickens introduces Scrooge’s ignorance of the plight of the poor
2	“A small matter…to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.”	The ghost shows Scrooge images from his past when he was not so concerned with wealth
3	“To any kindly given. To a poor one most.”	The ghost bestows the spirit of Christmas on the humble Cratchit family home
4	“Every person has the right to take care of themselves”	The ghost shows Scrooge the consequences poverty can have on individuals and society
5	“I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family”	Scrooge is transformed into a benevolent and charitable man

Poverty is presented in A Christmas Carol throughout the novella:

Charity collectors (Stave 1): In his interaction with the charity collectors, Scrooge’s ignorance of the plight of the poor is revealed:
- Dickens highlights the importance of charity and benevolence to support those most in need, but also suggests that the poor are not provided with the resources they need to help themselves
The Cratchit family: Dickens uses his presentation of the Cratchit family to offer an insight into the lives of the working poor in 19th-century England:
- The Cratchit family’s welfare and financial security are dependent on Scrooge, who pays pitiful wages
- The Cratchits are presented by Dickens entirely positively, to challenge the idea of the ‘idle poor’ and to contrast with Scrooge’s miserly and misanthropic nature
Allegorical figures (Ignorance and Want, Stave 3): Dickens uses these figures to symbolise the suffering of the poor and the ignorance of society:
- The figures are hidden under the Ghost of Christmas Present’s robe, symbolically suggesting that poverty and its consequences are also largely hidden and ignored
Minor characters (Old Joe, the charwoman, the laundress and the undertaker’s man, Stave 4): Dickens uses these characters and their exchange to highlight the harsh realities of being poor in Victorian Britain:
- Poverty has a far-reaching social impact, as these characters are depicted as being involved in criminal activity to subsist

The theme of poverty is prevalent throughout the novella and has a significant impact on a range of characters.

Character	Impact
Bob Cratchit	Bob, as an example of the working poor, has to work long hours in terrible conditions to provide for his family: He works in fear of Scrooge, symbolising how the rich could dominate and control the lower classes
Scrooge	Scrooge is symbolic of the ignorance of the rich towards the poor at the start of the novella: Scrooge believes that the poor are not his concern, suggesting that they are well cared for by the “workhouses” and “prisons” However, following his transformation, he becomes socially conscious, giving to the charity collector and raising Bob’s salary to “assist” his “struggling family”
Tiny Tim	As a poor child living with a disability, Tiny Tim represents the most vulnerable members of society: Dickens shows there is no money for medical treatment and Tiny Tim’s possible death is as a direct result of his poverty
Old Joe and the three thieves	Old Joe and the three thieves represent the negative impact of poverty on society: Their situation means they turn to crime to make a profit, stealing from Scrooge’s dead body They are described as filthy and immoral to suggest they are a product of their surroundings
Mrs Cratchit	Dickens shows the lengths the family has to go to in order to make ends meet: Mrs Cratchit makes their Christmas dinner go further by adding “apple-sauce and mashed potatoes” She also turns her gown inside out and freshens it up with ribbons for Christmas as she cannot afford to buy a new one

1. Exposing social injustice

As a social reformer, Dickens wanted to expose the social injustices of the time and how the poor had no way to improve their situation
Dickens shares his message of social responsibility leading to a fairer, more equitable society through Scrooge’s transformation(from a miserly and materialistic employer to a socially-conscious benefactor)

2. Symbolism

By presenting Christmas as a symbol of hope and generosity, Dickens wanted to encourage more generosity towards the poor, at a time for charity and benevolence
He suggests that society will be doomed unless it becomes more generous and equal; by linking poverty and the threat of death through the character of Tiny Tim, he underscores the need for action for readers

3. Setting and atmosphere

Dickens establishes poverty as a central theme from the start of the novella, through gloomy and deprived descriptions of London and its inhabitants
He creates a dichotomy between the Cratchit’s poverty and Scrooge’s wealth through descriptions of their homes

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of the theme of poverty:

Last updated: 30 October 2024

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

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