A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol illustrates many themes of the Victorian era. Poverty, kindliness and greed are major themes of this work. This prove highlights examples of these themes as portrayed by Dickens.Poverty was a striking characteristic of Victorian England, peculiarly noticeable in the cities. The population grew exp superstarnti all(prenominal)y during the nineteenth century so it is a very practical suggestion offered by the travel of Christmas Present when he observes of piddling Tim, If he be like to lapse, he had better do it, and decrease the prodigality population(Dickens).As a give of overpopulation, thither was huge pressure on accommodate which in turn led to poor sanitary conditions and rampant destitution. The ways were asphyxiate and narrow, the shops and houses wretched the people half-naked, drunken, slipshod, ugly. Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt (Dickens).Children from lower part fami lies suffered hugely as a result of need during this era.Families sometimes had to turn their children pop because they couldnt afford to keep them. In rundle Two, barbarians sister Fan says, Father is so a great deal kinder than he used to be, thatI was not terror-struck to ask him once more than if you force come home and he state yes you should (Dickens). Children all too often, were the open faces of poverty during this era. At the end of Stave Three, the Ghost of Christmas Future shows skinflint his legacy as a result of his greed i.e. cardinal very destitute children. The boy is Ignorance. The miss is Want (Dickens).With huge poverty, came the birth of kind conscience amongst the middle and upper classes. more charities that exist today throw off root in the Victorian era. barbarian gets a sudden attack of munificence later seeing himself alone as a child.He says, thither was a boy tattle a Christmas carol at my entre last night. I should like to have give him something, thats all (Dickens). humanity also, was a growing practice and to die without leaving money to the less prospered especially during such times of poverty, was close unthinkable. What has he done with his money? asked a red-faced gentleman. I havent heard, said the man, left it to his company, perhaps. He hasnt left it to me. Thats all I cheat (Dickens).Christmas time was the staring(a) opportunity to illustrate the charitable contract of the rich to the poor. Christmas time stressed tralatitious values of neighborliness, charity and good will. Accordingly, skinflint buys the largest turkey he can get under ones skin for the Cratchits in order to change the line of business of the future.In Stave Two, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows boor a scene from Mr Fezziwigs freak in order to illustrate that happiness and cheer can be given to people without costing a fortune. Scrooge concludes, The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune (D ickens).Whilst a lot of charity and philanthropy no doubt resulted from an frank desire to ease the suffering of the poor, fault also played its part. Many assuaged their guilt feelings by giving to charity nevertheless they also didnt want to scratch off charity on the undeserving. If we were giving Scrooge the benefit of the doubt, perhaps this is why he chose not to give his money away. No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle (Dickens).The opposite of charity is greed. The Ghost of Christmas Present says, There is nothing on which it is as breathed as poverty, and there is nothing on it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth (Dickens). Like Scrooge, if one dedicated his sprightliness only to the accretion of wealth, he was likely to pay for it in death. Its likely to be a very cheap funeral said the businessman, for upon my life I dont know of anybody to go to it(Dickens)Victorian society norms dictated that it was literally unthinkable to be greedy. In Stave One, Scrooge is visited by men request for donations. What shall I put you down for? asks the man. Scrooge replies, Nothing The man misunderstands Scrooge, You wish to be anonymous? The church played an essential role in imparting the virtues of charity and the consequences of greed. The Ghost of Christmas Present says to Scrooge, It may be that in the sight of heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to recognise than millions like this poor mans child (Dickens).