Poverty and Social Injustice:
Poverty and Social Injustice
The thematic focus on poverty and social
injustice underpins the novella. This theme is
introduced from the very offset of ‘A Christmas
Carol’ through the charity collectors, who come
to visit Scrooge. They immediately make the
readers aware of the “poor and destitute” in
society who are suffering “greatly”, setting the
tone for the remainder of the novella. Dickens is
widely accepted to be an author who had a
strong social commitment which translated into
his work. He believed in the use of literature to
convey ethical and political statements and so
it is unsurprising that these undertones exist within the text.
The most prominent way in which Dickens conveys this theme is through the exploration of
his characters, perhaps as this is a technique which is both practical and emotive. This is
because characters can act as an example for readers to emulate or be warned against,
while also acting as a source of sympathy or distaste. Ultimately, this allows readers to
become more receptive to Dickens’ message and learn from his characters, provoking
internal change.
Social Responsibility and Scrooge’s Transformation
Initially, Scrooge is used by Dickens to represent the selfish attitude of the upper class
within Victorian society. This is made apparent when he argues with the charity collectors in
Stave One as he refers to the poor as “the surplus population”. This Malthusian
assertion (see ‘Context: Poverty and Charity’) appears after the unsympathetic description
of Scrooge’s character. This highlights Dickens’ disapproval of this widespread viewpoint
from the opening of the text.
As the novella progresses Scrooge begins to transform. Following his redemption in the final
stave his attitudes towards social injustice have also changed. This highlights the idea
that being socially conscious is the ideal, as this is a quality which is present in Scrooge
after his redemption.
Dickens presents the impact that social responsibility can have in a hyperbolic
(exaggerated) fashion. He achieves this through the fate of Tiny Tim, who would have died if
it were not for Scrooge’s financial support and intervention. Through this, Dickens makes it
clear that social responsibility is an essential component to society, and should be
practiced for the wider benefit of all those in the community.
Setting:
Dickens uses the setting to highlight two different aspects of poverty and social injustice
which act alongside each other to present a greater social commentary.
● London is described to be filled with “fog and darkness”, covered in “misanthropic
ice”. By personifying the ice, describing it as “misanthropic” (which means ‘to
dislike other people’), Dickens uses the setting to reflect the attitudes of the
inhabitants of London as well as the gloomy atmosphere.
● He moves on to describe an “obscure” area of the city as “wretched” and filled with
“filth” and “dirt”. This reflects how the Industrial Revolution brought about
economic and environmental problems (see ‘Context: The Industrial Revolution’),
causing overcrowding and smog.
Descriptions of the setting are used to expose the harsh realities of poverty in Dickensian
London.
In addition to this, Dickens uses the setting to dispel negative and widespread
stereotypes surrounding the impoverished in society. Despite the terrible conditions of
London, the people created an “air of cheerfulness” and “laughed heartily” as they went
about their day. This establishes the idea that regardless of the amount of money they have,
the lower classes are still happy and amicable which challenges prejudices against the poor.
In this way, Dickens presents the idea that there are challenges that the poor face which
need to be dealt with but those in poverty should not be discriminated against. This is an
approach which holistically addresses poverty in Victorian society (takes into account all
the factors which contribute to the problem).
Characterisation:
There are three main characters that Dickens uses to present ideas of social injustice and
poverty alongside the protagonist:
● Ignorance and Want - These two children link closely to the idea of social
responsibility, as the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals that “they are Man’s”. This
presents the idea that mankind needs to collectively take responsibility for them. It
could certainly be argued that their existence ties in closely with the abandonment
of the poor in society.
○ The children may be representative of the ‘ignorance’ that many of the upper
class had towards the plight of the poor. Additionally, the idea of ‘want’ may
represent the selfishness that they display and their uncharitable attitudes.
○ Dickens heightens the effect that this has by detailing that both ‘Ignorance’
and ‘Want’ are children. This is likely to provoke a powerful response from
readers due to the subverted descriptions and protective instinct that readers
are likely to feel towards them.
● Old Joe - Dickens uses Old Joe and the three thieves to expose the harsh realities
of poverty in Victorian society. Both the people and the environment are described
negatively (see ‘Character Profile: The Charwoman, Laundress and Undertaker’s
man) which suggests that poverty has far-reaching and extensive effects.
○ Dickens presents the idea that poverty breeds crime and so reminds the
reader that their actions have wider societal impacts - instilling a sense of
social responsibility.
○ Furthermore, Dickens challenges Scrooge’s Malthusian attitude, as this is
what causes the isolation in his death. This is outlined by the charwoman’s
assertion that he should have been “natural in his lifetime”. Ultimately, this
characterises ‘A Christmas Carol’ as an Anti-Malthusian novella.
● Bob Cratchit and Scrooge - The dynamic between Bob Cratchit and Scrooge is
perhaps a metaphor for class relations. In the opening stave Bob works in fear of
Scrooge; he is helpless to even “replenish” the coal for his fire despite it being
“very much smaller” than Scrooge’s. This may be symbolic of how the rich
dominate the lower class. However, following Scrooge’s transformation, he becomes
more socially conscious, raising Bob’s salary and trying to “assist” his “struggling
family”. This acts as a perfect example of social responsibility, explaining to readers
how they should aim to act within society.
● The Cratchit Family - Furthermore, Dickens provides an insight into the lives of
those living in poverty when Mrs Cratchit shares her anxieties about Christmas
dinner. She worries that someone might have “got over the wall of the back-yard
and stolen it”. While this may appear to be a criticism of the poor, it is entirely more
plausible to argue that Dickens is simply highlighting the realities of poverty in
Victorian society. He portrays the lengths that people are forced to go to in order to
feed themselves and their families, contributing to the idea that poverty breeds
crime. Through this, he is once again able to present the idea that poverty is an
issue which causes multiple different problems and so should be prioritised and dealt
with.