Stave 1 - Integrating Context

In the AO3 mark scheme for a grade 7 or above, context should be:

(two of the boxes are appropriate)

• embedded throughout your response?

• dealt with separately to your analysis of character and theme?

• a natural consideration in any analysis that you do?

• bolted on, right at the end, because you completely forgot that context was important in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Pg 3

Scrooge's nephew offers a picture of how Christmas should be, and states that people should 'open their shut-up hearts freely'.

Through analysing this quote, what does it perhaps tell us about some people during the 'Hungry 40s'?

Further to this, the nephew appears to offer criticism of some people who view the poor as 'another race of creatures'.

How can this be considered a condemnation of Victorian society?

When the charity men visit Scrooge, further levels of Scrooge's amorality are revealed by Dickens.

Scrooge states of the poor, 'they had better do it [die], and decrease the surplus population'.

In 'A Christmas Carol', this is a reference to:

• Malfusion Economics

• Malthusian Ergonomics

• Malthusian Economics

• Hitler's economic plans

Thomas Malthus was not only an economist, but he was also a :

• Vicar

• OFSTED Inspector

• Undertaker

• Bowel Surgeon

It could be considered that by referring to Malthus the economist and vicar, that Dickens is highlighting the .............................. of some Victorian Christians - after all the Bible does not say 'love ONLY thy wealthy neighbour as thyself'.

• geniality

• frivolity

• hypocrisy

• generosity

The nephew could be considered a:

• political mouthpiece for Dickens

• political proxy for Dickens

• advocate for Dickens' political message of social reform

• a poor man

'Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels, but he had never believed it until now.'

Which meanings can we take from this?

• Marley, as a ghost, is transparent and Scrooge can see straight through him. Dickens offers the audience some light relief through humour.

• Marley had died suddenly on this same night, seven years ago. His bowels had simply ceased to work, and his death was agonising and painful.

• Through Dickens' use of the phrase 'Scrooge had often heard', the reader is made aware that within Marley's community, people mocked him behind his back. He was not liked or respected.

• This quote refers to John's gospel where men with wealth are criticised for not 'opening their bowels of compassion' if they will not give alms to the poor and needy.