Who and When was ACC written?
1843 by Charles Dickens
What were the reasons for Dickens to write this novella?
His own experiences and the horrifying revelations of a parliamentary report into child labour in the 1840s
What was victorian London like?
London was experiencing a massive population growth, quickly becoming the biggest city in the world and becoming the global capital for trade, finance and politics. However, the rich prospered, the poor lived in unsanitary conditions and suffered the effects of low wages, malnutrition and overcrowding.
When and what was the great reform bill?
1832, gave the middle class the right to vote, however the working class were left unable to vote. You needed property to be given suffrage
When and what was the poor law amendment act?
1834, one aim was to reduce the cost of looking after those in poverty. People without the means to support themselves were forced to the workhouse, to inhumane and dangerous comditions
What were workhouses?
Those without employment or the means to feed themselves were forced to go to the workhouse. They were made to do hard labour with little food and without pay. Conditions inside were harsher than outside to deter people from relying on the government for support
What is the industrial revolution?
Industrialisation marked a shift to powered special purpose machinery, factories and mass production
What are ragged schools?
Provide poor people with an education. Dickens was a sponsor of the ragged schools. Within weeks of visiting one, Dickens created A Christmas Carol. It is thought that ‘need’ and ‘want’ were inspired by the children of ragged schools
What is the link between dickens and Christmas?
Christmas in the victorian times weren’t widely celebrated. Dickens has been acknowledged as an influence in the way we celebrate Christmas. His vivid descriptions of the way others celebrated became an integral part of modern day festivals.
How does religion and ACC link?
Throughout the victorian era, England was a christian country. The Christmas message’s are clear throughout ACC. The novella is full of messages of love, hope and charity
