Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
 Can a play be more than mere entertainment?
 Can a play change attitudes, beliefs, thinking,
and behavior?
 Can a play be a form of propaganda?
What is propaganda?
• Propaganda is the use of the Media to deliberately promote one point of
view through the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose
of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.
R1.15
W2.3
C3.7
Demonstrate the ability to detect bias and propaganda techniques.
Demonstrate the ability to write to persuade, analyze, and transact business.
Demonstrate the ability to analyze non print sources for accuracy, bias, intent, and purpose.
Facts about Dickens’ Time
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Queen Victoria ruled, and this time became known as Victorian Era (1837-1901).
England had been well established as Royal Navy and leader of the world’s sea after defeat of Napoleon.
England was top manufacturer of the time, exporting much of what it produced.
In 1843 (the time Dickens wrote Christmas Carol), about one-third of the population of London lived in
poverty.
Factories had transformed the city, making skylines polluted, and streets filthy.
Coal was the primary fuel source for heat, and chimney sweeps were required to clean flues.
Since children were small, they made ideal chimney sweeps.
Consumption (Tuberculosis) or Black lung was a fatal condition common among chimney sweeps.
Populations increased to overflowing proportions in big cities like London.
Homelessness soared.
The Poor Law of 1834 had been passed, requiring homeless women and children to be placed in Poor
Houses (basically work houses).
Those who could not pay debts were placed in Debtor’s Prisons.
By the end of the century, the population of London tripled.
Possible purposes and ideas Dickens might have hoped to change?
Positive Changes that did occur: (some not long after A Christmas
Carol)
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By 1847, A Factory Act was passed limiting children’s work hours
in textile plants to ten hours a day and economically penalizing
employers who broke this law.
Laws were passed to protect children under the age of ten.
By 1870, the Education Act was passed providing an opportunity for all children (males and
females) between the ages of 5-13 to receive an education.
By 1867, The Reform Act changed the voting composition by including an entire segment of the
population once ignored. The new voting voices included many workingmen. Consequently,
many people higher in the social ladder feared the possible changes to social class and British
culture.
In 1869, Debtor’s Prisons were abolished.
In 1891, education became free for every child.