In A Christmas Carol, Dickens shows us a cross-section of London society, for the very rich to the very poor at the time of year when the differences are the most visible. In the story, Christmas is described as the “time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.” The rich looked forward to resting, feasting and presents. The working poor would have Christmas day off, if they were lucky, and might scrape together a special meal. For the very poor, Christmas was just another day.

Rich family in the 1840’s.

Poor family in the

1840’s.

HousingIn the poorest areas, in the center of London, families of up to eight people lived in a single room. Many people, including children, lived and died in the streets.Rich people lived in large townhouses with small armies of servants to look after them. Scrooge preferred to live alone in the city, close to his business and money.

The Fortunate FewWell-off people such as Scrooge’s nephew and niece had servants to cook and clean for them, and do their dirty and tough work. They did not have to worry about money.Rich family in the 1840’s.

The Working PoorThe Cratchits represent an ever-growing class of struggling, poor working people. London’s population more than doubled between 1800 and 1843, so there were more and more poor workers. Another worry was sickness especially among the children. In 1839, almost half the funerals in London were for children under the age of 10.

Poor family in the 1840’s.

No Rest for ServantsServants worked long hours and would often not even get Christmas off. Other poor workers, such as Martha Cratchit, a milliner (hat maker), had to work on the morning of Christmas Day.

A maid washing and pressing her mistress’s clothes.

Poor ChildrenThere were thousands of children like the Chratchits’ poor, and frail Tiny Tim. In unhealthy London, many children were sickly or died young. Few poor children had the chance to be educated. Dickens worked to help the “ragged schools,” which tried to help the poorest people.

A destitute mother caring for her child.

BusinessmenA Christmas Carol is set in the early part of what is called “the Victorian era” of English history, named after Queen Victoria, who reigned between 1837-1901. It was a time when businessmen such as Scrooge could make spectacular fortunes very quickly. Dickens fought to make them share their wealth.

Coats and pants were tight-fitting.

WorkhousesPoor people who had no other means of support had to go to a workhouse, Here, people worked hard for basic food and shelter. A

few years before A Christmas Carol was written, Dickens had fiercely attacked workhouses in Oliver Twist.

Poor people lining up outside a workhouse.

FoodFor well-off families, regular and lavish meals were a sign of prosperity. At the other end of the social scale, many very poor people had to live on scraps of food or handouts.For many poorer people, Christmas was the one time in the year when they might eat special food. For the rest of the year, bread and potatoes were the main foods.

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