Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the 1800s? The Victorian era was a time of great change and excitement in England, and it's the setting for one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time: A Christmas Carol.
The Victorian era was named after Queen Victoria, who ruled England for over 60 years. During her reign, England became a powerful industrial nation and its empire grew to include over a quarter of the world's population. However, the Victorian era was also a time of great inequality, with a small number of wealthy people and a large number of poor people.
A Christmas Carol is a reflection of the social, economic, and cultural realities of the Vicortian era. By understanding the Victorian era and different aspects of the time, you will have a deeper sense of the timeless classic A Christmas Carol story.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol In Context. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRonangfz0. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Charles Dickens was a brilliant writer and social activist who used his work to make the world a better place. A Christmas Carol is one of his most enduring works, and it continues to inspire and entertain people of all ages.
"Charles Dickens." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Oct. 2023. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Charles-Dickens/273995. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Collins, K. K. "Dickens, Charles." World Book Student, 2023, www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar158140. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.
"A Christmas Carol." Novels for Students, edited by Michael L. LaBlanc and Ira Mark Milne, vol. 10, Gale, 2001, pp. 65-95. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2592300014/GVRL?u=over6480&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=b516965b. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.
Class structure in the Victorian era was very rigid, with a small number of wealthy people at the top and a large number of poor people at the bottom. Class structure had a significant impact on all aspects of Victorian life, from education and employment to marriage and social interaction.
Victorian Era Society and Social Class Structure
“Victorian Society Social Structure. Various Classes and Their Lives.” Victorian Era, https://victorian-era.org/victorian-era-society.html. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Social Life in Victorian England
Social Life in Victorian England | British Literature Wiki. https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/social-life-in-victorian-england/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Victorians: The Filthy Rich and the Filthy Poor. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDZe512gPeE. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
The Victorian Era was a time of great change and excitement in England, lasting from 1837 to 1901. It was named after Queen Victoria, who ruled for over 60 years. During this time England became a powerful industrial nation and its empire grew to include over a quarter of the world's population.
Bumgardner, Jake. "Victorian Age." World Book Student, 2023, www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar585140. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
"Victorian Age." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 23 Nov. 2021. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Victorian-Age/605270. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
“Victorians.” English Heritage, https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/victorian/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
What was life like for children in Victorian London?
Museum of London. What Was Life like for Children in Victorian London? 2011.
Victorian Era For Kids // 19th Century Everyday Life. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g40KFp9y7jc&list=PLfiifZOW9mo3YXi21DqdVm_icU-Lsj4cM. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change in the way goods were produced. It began in England in the late 18th century and spread to other countries in the 19th century. During the Industrial Revolution, new machines and factories were built to produce goods more quickly and efficiently. The Industrial Revolution led to many changes in society, including the rise of cities and the growth of the middle class. It also had a negative impact on the environment, as pollution from factories increased. Despite its drawbacks, the Industrial Revolution was a major turning point in human history, and it continues to shape the world we live in today.
Jacob, Margaret C. "Industrial Revolution." World Book Student, 2023,
www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar275880. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
"Industrial Revolution." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2023. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Industrial-Revolution/42370. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution
Duignan, Brian and Leong, Ernest. "Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution". Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/list/inventors-and-inventions-of-the-industrial-revolution. Accessed 13 November 2023.
“Discover More about the Ingenious Victorians.” English Heritage, https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ingenious/victorian-ingenuity/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
“Industrial Revolution: Definition, Inventions & Dates.” HISTORY, 27 Mar. 2023, https://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution/industrial-revolution.
The tradition of telling ghost stories during Christmas has its roots in ancient European cultures, where the winter solstice was a time associated with spirits and the supernatural and was particularly popular in England. The tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas continues today where A Christmas Carol remains one of the most beloved and enduring Christmas stories of all time.
Questions to Consider:
Dunn, Richard J. "Gothic novel." World Book Student, 2023,
www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar230570. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Pike, Sarah M. "Occultism." World Book Student, 2023,
www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar398620. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
A Plea to Resurrect the Christmas Tradition of Telling Ghost Stories
Magazine, Smithsonian. “A Plea to Resurrect the Christmas Tradition of Telling Ghost Stories.” Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/plea-resurrect-christmas-tradition-telling-ghost-stories-180967553/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Why do people tell ghost stories on Christmas?
Magazine, Smithsonian, and Kat Eschner. “Why Do People Tell Ghost Stories on Christmas?” Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-do-ghost-stories-go-christmas-180961547/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
Focus the research on the following questions:
What is ______________________________?
How did ____________________________ change society until today?
How does __________________________________________________ connect to the story A Christmas Carol?
Use the notes template to keep track of your notes and sources.
PROJECT CHOICES
