1. Gin Shops
Charles Dickens

2. Purpose and Historical Context
In Dickens’ sketch, he outlines the strong link between poverty and alcoholism
In the Victorian era, ( ) people did not regard alcoholism as an addiction and disease, rather it was considered a character flaw, a result of low morals
This was a way of ignoring the real, complex issue of poverty and avoiding tackling problems such as low wages, poor housing and sanitation
Dickens points out that anyone forced to endure hunger, discomfort and poor health, forced to live in overcrowded filth and squalor will inevitably turn to any form of escape they can
Dickens shows that when people are unable to physically escape the misery of their lives, they will often take the easiest and cheapest mental escape-alcohol

3. Gin in the Victorian Era (1837-1901)
Gin started out as a medicine - it was thought it could be a cure for gout and indigestion, but most attractive of all, it was cheap.
Some workers were given gin as part of their wages.
Gin rendered men impotent, and women sterile, and was a major reason why the birth rate in London at this time was exceeded by the death rate.
The government of the day became alarmed when it was found that the average Londoner drank 14 gallons of spirit each year! A tax on gin, but this put many reputable sellers out of business, and made way for the bootleggers.
Gin sales went underground to the Black Market. Much of the gin was drunk by women, consequently the children were neglected, daughters were sold into prostitution, and wet nurses gave gin to babies to quieten them.

4. The Rookery
In paragraphs one and two of the text, Dickens describes in great detail, ‘The Rookery’ in Drury Lane
Through vivid descriptions, Dickens makes the poverty of the area apparent
What details create a sense of poverty?
Most of paragraph 2 is a very long list detailing the sights in The Rookery. Why has the writer chosen to use a list here? Suggest as many reasons as you can.

5. Inside the Gin Palace
At the start of paragraph 3 we notice an immediate contrast. The first contrast we notice is in the sentence structure. Identify the structure used and explain its effect.
Why does Dickens use an exclamation mark in the second sentence?
Think about your impression of Drury Lane and inside the Gin Shop. List as many details as you can which contrast with The Rookery.
What might Dickens be trying to show us about Gin Palaces?

6. Gin Shop Characters
Having described the interior of the Gin Shop, Dickens goes on to sketch the people who spend time there. What can we tell about:
The proprietor
The barmaid
The washerwoman
The young man
The young woman
Use quotations to support your answers.

7. The End of the Night What happens as the night progresses?
What different behaviour do you see from the various figures described? (Use quotations)
In the second last paragraph how does Dickens create a sense of chaos through the word choice and sentence structure?
What stereotyping does Dickens employ? Why do you think he does this?
Explain fully, using quotations, the contrast which Dickens sets up in the second last paragraph.
How does he begin to introduce a more serious tone in the second last paragraph?

8. Dickens’ Message
Why does Dickens say that he has decided to stop describing the scene?
What does he say people often forget, choosing to be judgemental instead?
What factors does he suggest contribute to alcoholism in Victorian Britain?
Who does he imply are to blame for alcoholism among the poor?
What criticism does he make of organisations such as the Temperance Society?
In the final paragraph, Dickens makes effective use of tone. Trace the use of tone here.
Who is the ‘you’ being addressed in the last paragraph?
How and why does Dickens employ satire in this essay? Explain fully using quotations.