A Christmas Carol - "Although Dickens story is entertaining and enthralling, it is mainly intended to educate." Discuss
A “Christmas Carol” is an engaging social commentary written in the form of a novella, which outlines the plight of the poor, with the intention of altering the views of the wealthy, in Victorian London society. Dickens himself was a victim of the Poor Laws which were a by-product of the industrial Revolution, and wrote this novella with the hope of making life more bearable for the poor. Dickens uses the appealing nature of his descriptive novella, in order to subtly promote a change of attitude from his reluctant wealthy contemporaries.
Dickens chooses to set his novella amidst the depth of hearty Christmas celebrations highlighting the abundance that was evident in contrast to the extreme poverty in Victorian London. Dickens highlights the ever-increasing degradation of the poor by the intervention of the charity collectors, who state the stark reality that the poor are unable to afford, “meat and drink and some means of warmth” The contrasting live of the wealthy in whose lives, “abundance rejoices” is distinctly different and obviously noticed. Dickens was intending to generate sympathy from the reader before outlining the full extent of his massage. Dickens points up Christmas as a time of special giving, highlighting the disregard of the basic Christmas message, by those who are able yet not willing to give to the poor; during this giving season. Scrooge portrays the exact attitude Dickens is disdaining when he says, “what is Christmas to you but a time for paying bills without money,” showing the total misunderstanding of Christmas. Dickens again instructs the audience by teaching Scrooge a vital lesson in generosity, through the use of the Ghost of Christmas Past, who through careful questioning, forces Scrooge to admit that the happiness the Fezziwig generated was “quite as great as if it has cost a fortune.” This one comment of Scrooge’s, whilst reviewing his past, highlights to the readers that sacrificing a few pounds out of abundance, not only gives
Dickens chooses to set his novella amidst the depth of hearty Christmas celebrations highlighting the abundance that was evident in contrast to the extreme poverty in Victorian London. Dickens highlights the ever-increasing degradation of the poor by the intervention of the charity collectors, who state the stark reality that the poor are unable to afford, “meat and drink and some means of warmth” The contrasting live of the wealthy in whose lives, “abundance rejoices” is distinctly different and obviously noticed. Dickens was intending to generate sympathy from the reader before outlining the full extent of his massage. Dickens points up Christmas as a time of special giving, highlighting the disregard of the basic Christmas message, by those who are able yet not willing to give to the poor; during this giving season. Scrooge portrays the exact attitude Dickens is disdaining when he says, “what is Christmas to you but a time for paying bills without money,” showing the total misunderstanding of Christmas. Dickens again instructs the audience by teaching Scrooge a vital lesson in generosity, through the use of the Ghost of Christmas Past, who through careful questioning, forces Scrooge to admit that the happiness the Fezziwig generated was “quite as great as if it has cost a fortune.” This one comment of Scrooge’s, whilst reviewing his past, highlights to the readers that sacrificing a few pounds out of abundance, not only gives