Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is seemingly a heart-warming Christmas tale but also a clear social commentary on the issues arising from ‘Ignorance’ and ‘Want’ and a warning against the Malthusian principles of reducing the ‘surplus population’ popular with the wealthier Victorian classes at the time. Dickens explores these ideas with his presentation of poverty in particular through his use of…(Main points in the essay). In Dickens' time, "A Christmas Carol" resonated with readers due to its powerful social commentary and universal themes of redemption and compassion. The story prompted discussions about the moral obligations of the wealthy towards the impoverished and spurred charitable efforts to alleviate poverty. Throughout A Christmas Carol and his other works he focuses on his advocacy for reform which is evident in A Christmas Carol as he hoped to provoke empathy and action against his readers who was his target audience in a bid for social change and it was only them who could revert the problems riddling the society like a disease. Everyone who read this novel at the time of release would've had domestic staff, so the importance of Scrooge and Bob's relationship is to show the contrast between greed and generosity. At the very start of the novella, on Christmas Eve, we, the reader, are introduced to a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” who goes by the name of Ebenezer Scrooge working as a moneylender. The use of the adjective “squeezing” can be perceptive as quite ironic as “squeezing “ suggests tightness, compression and Scrooge's unwillingness to let go of his substantial wealth conveying the idea of greed and selfishness, which links quite cleverly with the adjective “wrenching” as it's clear that Scrooge is reluctant to part with his money and wealth further implying his lack of generosity. Later on two charity workers enter Scrooge's “counting house” asking for a small donation that will aid the poor, to which he questions “Are there no prisons, are there no workhouses - are they still in operation?”. This amplifies Scrooge's lack of empathy to the poor, his dismissive attitude and his narrow-minded idea of the poor rely on existing institutions- like the workhouses, instead of looking for help elsewhere. Workhorses were introduced as part of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 as a standardised system working as a source of relief for the poor. Conditions were purposefully harsh and unkempt designed to be a last resort for any able-bodied unemployed person to work. Families were separated and food was of basic standard. It is clear throughout the conversation that Scrooge's towards the poor is very callous, disdainful and dismissive of their suffering and prioritises his own wealth and comfort rather than helping the vulnerable poor members of society. Throughout the opening Stave ideas of Thomas Malthus are prominent symbolised by Scrooge, by saying “if they'd rather do it quick and decrease the surplus population”. The use of the word “surplus” indicates how much of an inconvenience the poor were to the richer members of society and they were playing the roles of extras in upper class society. During Stave three and the visit from the second ghost (Ghost of Xmas Present) Scrooge begins to develop a sense of empathy and understanding for the poor. It is here Scrooge is presented with the “yellow, meagre, wolfish, scowling” children are named ‘Ignorance and Want’ to which Scrooge asks the spectre “are they yours”, the “Spirit” replies, “ They are man's”. The use of the term “mans” instead of ‘mine’ or ‘ours’ shows collective responsibility that humanity shares for addressing and neglecting the poor. The fact the problem arises in the form of children shows how poverty is breed between generation and can only be changed if the wealthier Victorian classes decide to change and retire the thought of poverty increases the rate of criminality. In Stave 3 of "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge's encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Present leads to significant character development. Through the spirit's revelations, Scrooge begins to empathise with the plight of the poor, particularly exemplified in his concern for Tiny Tim's well-being when asking “if Tiny Tim will live” .The spirit's depiction of Ignorance and Want symbolises the consequences of societal neglect, prompting Scrooge to reflect on his own life choices and recognize the importance of compassion. These experiences mark a turning point in Scrooge's transformation from selfishness to empathy. Overall, Stave 3 portrays Scrooge's evolving understanding of poverty and his growing commitment to alleviating suffering, laying the foundation for his eventual redemption. Dickens uses the “happy, grateful, pleased with one another” Cratchits to show the struggles of the poor. Mrs Cratchit “rose up” implying she can't be gravitated to poverty. Her gown is “twice turned”, and Dickens' use of “ribbons” here demonstrates her festive spirit and shows the reader she is “brave” and determined to make the most of her situation - demonstrating a strong character who won't be defined by her weak finances. Tiny Tim is also significant when considering his lack of healthcare accessibility, his frail health and reliance on a “crutch” shows the limited access to healthcare during the Victorian Era and shows his condition is likely a result of his family impoverished circumstances and they show the physical toll poverty has on the youth. Despite his health condition he excludes any negative thoughts and prioritises optimism, kindness and resilience to show the human capacity to find joy and hope. The use of the simile “as good as gold” is also significant as it shows that the presence of a potential dying child is more important than a block of worthy metal - a thought that the original Scrooge (pre. ghosts) would've completely gone against. The effect of poverty also affects other members of society including one of Scrooge's debtors, Caroline, who “lived in a quarter that reeked with crime,, who learns of Scrooge's death and feels more free. Here it could be argued Dickens purposefully chose the name Caroline deliberately as it literally means free woman. The ghosts in "A Christmas Carol" have transformed Scrooge's thoughts on the poor from indifference to empathy. Through encounters like seeing Tiny Tim's struggles, Scrooge learns compassion. "A Christmas Carol" is structured as a novella divided into staves, each representing a phase of Scrooge's transformation. It employs vivid imagery and symbolism to convey its moral message. Dickens engendered the fear and threat to teach the rich how they can change. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is an allegory of moral and spiritual values versus materialistic greed. Dickens presents this ‘ghost of an idea’ through clear crafting of Scrooge's initial thoughts of the poor, Scrooge's character development and opinions of the poor and the effects of poverty on the poor. All of these features are evident when considering how poverty affects both the population and the Cratchits.