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A CHARLES DICKENS WEBQUEST
INTRODUCTION: Charles Dickens is said to be one of the greatest writers that has ever lived. Before we read one of
his novels, I would like you to spend some time getting to know this man and learning what the world was like as he
knew it. You will be directed to various links to answer the following questions. Have fun!
Please begin by clicking on link#1: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/olivertwist/dickens_timeline_text.html
1. What was the date of Charles Dickens’ birth? Where was he born?
2. How old was Dickens when the family moved to London, England? Why couldn’t he attend school?
3. What was the name of Dicken’s true love?
4. What was the name of his wife?
5. How many children did Dickens have? __________________
6. How many died before him? _____________________
7. What was his sister’s name? ______________________________
8. What famous story did Dickens write in 1843?
9. What was Dickens doing right before he died?
10. What was the British Factory Act of 1847?
11. What else do you find out about that you think is interesting?
Go to link #2: http://charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html
Here, you’ll find a map of London-as it was during Dickens’ lifetime. Please locate and click on Camden Town.
Which fictitious family from A Christmas Carol lived in Camden Town?
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Go to link #3: http://www.english.uwosh.edu/roth/VictorianEngland.htm
Dickens lived during the Victorian era. Read the first five paragraphs on this website.
Summarize this time period in one paragraph (5 sentences).
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What made Victorians “Victorian” more than anything? In other words, what attitude did Victorians have which made
them different from people before them?
Keep scrolling down the page until you see “MONEY.” List the three types of money used in England during this
time.
A. ____________________________________
B. _____________________________________
C. _____________________________________
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A little further down, you’ll notice “DISEASES.” Please list and define three major diseases during Dicken’s time.
A.
B.
C.
Go to link #4: http://www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/dietwh.html
Workhouses were built to house poor Victorians, who worked for a small amount of food and money. Name five foods
that poor Victorians were given here.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Go to link #5: http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/schoolday.htm
Please read the list of 10 rules, which were found in a typical Victorian classroom. In your opinion, which rules (2)
should still be used in schools today? Explain why.
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Go to link #6: http://charlesdickenspage.com/reading_dickens.html
In the nineteenth century, who read Dickens?
Why is reading Charles Dickens’ writing challenging in today’s world?
Which was better, the play from the textbook or the play from the theater? Explain.
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