The Life and Times of Charles Dickens

Life in England mid 1800’s to the turn of the century                                  Class Structure in Victorian England Upper Class/Wealthy Middle Class Working Class (Skilled and Unskilled) Under Class

Upper Class/Wealthy Upper Class or Aristocracy. Church and nobility - had great power and wealth 2% of population MOST of land!!! the royal family, lords, the clergy, great officers of state, and those above the degree of baronet born into nobility, privileged, and avoided taxes

Middle Class/Bourgeoisie middle working class. factory owners, bankers, shopkeepers, merchants, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, traders, and other professionals. could be extremely rich, were not privileged, and they especially resented this. VERY large gap between the middle class and the lower class.

Working Class ( Skilled and Unskilled) skilled laborers were above the unskilled class- but not by much. men, women, and children performing many types of labor, including factory workers, seamstresses, sweepers, miners, and others had to endure a large burden of tax about 85%of the population but only owned less than 50% of the land.

Working Class Skilled Woman

Working Class ( Skilled and Unskilled) unskilled laborers contained many men, women, and children with no particular skill typically did odd jobs that did not last long Many unskilled laborers were a step away from being homeless and occasionally spent time on the streets.

Under Class “the poor” (those who were not working, and were receiving public charity). The under class were more susceptible to exploitation – TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF These people often starved to death on the streets or died from malnutrition or disease.

Streets of London

The Industrial Revolution Steam Powered Engines MORE FACTORIES!!!

From Country to City FACTORIES = Moved from country to city to make $$ Over crowded WHOLE FAMILIES rented 1 room to live in

Child Labor COAL MINES -carried heavy buckets -sit alone in dark to open doors LONG HOURS Treated badly!! Dangerous chemicals (teeth rot or die from breathing them)

Child Labor Orphans -lived where they worked -worked REALLY hard! -working on machines -even on SUNDAYS! -serious accidents -scalped -hands crushed -fall asleep and fall into machine

Child Labor CHIMNEY SWEEPS -5 to 10 years old! -many cuts, grazes, and bruises -over time their skin hardened

Street Kids MANY dirty, ragged kids -lived on streets -stole and pick pocketed -homeless -did jobs to get money for food -sold lace, flowers, matches, muffins in street -street (horse poop) sweeper

The Life of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812. His father, John Dickens, was a clerk at the Navy Pay Office. His father continuously lived beyond his means and was imprisoned for debt in 1824.

When Charles was 12, he was pulled out of school to work in a boot-blacking factory to support the family. He glued the labels onto the bottles of boot black for six shillings a day. Wow! Today, One Shilling would = 12 pennies! So in ONE MONTH of factory work Charles made an estimated 144 Pence which would = $17.28 today!

Dickens begins to Write -said that his time working and living alone in a boarding house traumatized him for the rest of his life -eventually returned to school at Wellington House Academy in London -began submitting material to the British Press where he was paid a penny a line

-married Catherine Hogart in 1836. -Catherine’s sister, Mary, moved in Personal Life -married Catherine Hogart in 1836. -Catherine’s sister, Mary, moved in -suspected that Dickens was in love with her -Mary died in 1837 -Dickens requested to buried next to her -Mary has shown up in many books as a good-hearted character

Bah! Humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge A Christmas Carol Bah! Humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge

Character List Ebenezer Scrooge: Scrooge is a cold, miserly creditor who lives only for himself. Bob Cratchit: Cratchit is Scrooge's overworked employee, a timid man afraid to stand up to his boss's demanding ways. He has a poor but loving family. Ghost of Christmas Past: The first ghost to visit Scrooge, the small, elderly figure represents memory. Ghost of Christmas Present: A giant clad in robes, this ghost has 1800 brothers and a life span of one day. He represents celebration and charity. Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come: This solemn, silent phantom represents death, but also the presents the possibility that the future is not determined, but open to the free will of humans.

Character List continued Fred: Scrooge's nephew, Fred embodies the joy and sharing of Christmas. He refuses to let Scrooge's "Bah! Humbug!" attitude bring him down, and is overjoyed when his uncle converts and attends his party. Tiny Tim: Cratchit's crippled son, Tiny Tim represents the overwhelming goodness of the Christmas spirit. Jacob Marley: Scrooge's old partner, Marley appears to Scrooge as a ghost and warns him about the dangers of being obsessed with money. Fezziwig: The young Scrooge's jolly, selfless boss. Belle: Scrooge's former girlfriend, she breaks up with him because of his greed. Fan: Scrooge's younger sister.

Symbolism and Theme Good Vs Evil Social Class Disparity Love for fellow men and charity Ignorance and Want Sacrifice and Redemption Children as the face of Innocence Money does not make happiness, and that those that have it should give to the less fortunate.