Introduction

You are about to begin reading Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  In the novel, we will encounter many references to Victorian England that may appear strange to you, such as Plum Pudding, Smoking Bishop, bed-curtains, and various social customs.  We will also see evidence of Victorian attitude toward the poor.  

Task

You will explore different aspects of A Christmas Carol, the life of Charles Dickens, Victorian customs, and social practices to help gain a better appreciation of the story.  This will help you with your understanding while you read.

 

Process

  1. Read the questions below, and go to the corresponding website to find the answer. Hint: Right click on the hyperlink in red, and click on Open in New Window.  That will keep this page open.
  2. As you find the correct information, write out your answers in complete sentences and in your own words.  Information copied from the sites will not get credit.
  3. Submit your answers on Canvas.

Questions

Part One - Click on the following link: https://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/life/timeline/

1.  What was the date of Charles Dickens' birth?
2.  How long was Dickens in a relationship with Maria Beadnell?
3.  What was Dickens doing right before he died?
4.  What famous story(ies) did Dickens write in 1843?

Part Two - Go to the following link: http://charlesdickenspage.com/christmas.html


5.  In the book, Tiny Tim has to walk with a crutch, although the story never specifically says why.  What illness does Tiny Tim have?  Was it curable?
6.  Smoking Bishop and Plum Pudding are two of the foods mentioned in A Christmas Carol.  Explain what these foods are.  What are some of the main ingredients?  What did they make them in?

Part Three - Go to the following link:  http://charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html


7.  What real life person and what A Christmas Carol character lived in Camden Town?
8.  Scrooge's business is in an area of London known as The City.  His employee, Bob, had to pass Cornhill and walk home to Camden Town.,  What do you notice about these locations?  What would Bob have seen on his way to and from work?

Part Four - Go to: https://faculty.unlv.edu/kirschen/handouts/victorian.html

Dickens lived during the Victorian era.  Read the information on this website.


9.   Summarize this time period in one paragraph (5-6 sentences)
10. According to the first bullet point, what is one of the major themes in Victorian literature?

11. List two changes that occurred during the Victorian Era.
12. Look in the social concern section.  What were the daily problems for ordinary people?

Go to the following site: http://charlesdickenspage.com/carol.html


13.  Read the section titled "Fifteen Bob a Week".  Scrooge pays his employee "fifteen shillings a week".  What could be bought with that?

Part Six- Go to: http://www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/dietwh.html


14.  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.  


Part Seven- Go to: http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/schoolday.htm


15. Please read the list of 10 rules, which were found in a typical Victorian classroom.  In your opinion, which rules should still be used in schools today?  Explain why.


Part Eight- Go to: https://friendsofoakgrovecemetery.org/victorian-funeral-customs-fears-and-superstitions/

16.  Read the first three paragraphs.  Explain 3-4 of the customs Victorians observed at the time of a death.

17.  Scroll down the page a bit.  List 3-4 superstitions Victorians believed regarding death.


Part Nine- Go to: http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/child-labour

18.  Read the first two paragraphs.  Explain 3 hardships poor children faced.


Part Ten- Go to: http://www.fourposterbed.co.uk/history2.html

19.  What are bed curtains and what was their purpose?


Part Eleven- Go to: http://www.victoriaspast.com/ParlorGames/parlor_games.htm

20. At one point in the story, Scrooge witnesses people playing Blind Man's Bluff.  Explain how to play Blind Man's Bluff and one other game of your choosing.


Part Twelve- Go to: http://charlesdickenspage.com/reading_dickens.html

21.  In the nineteenth century, who read Dickens?

22.  Why, as we read Dickens today, is it challenging?


Part Thirteen- Go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens


23.  Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836.  How many children did they have?

24.  Dickens wrote 20 major novels during his lifetime.  Please write down four; they should match the dates:

1837-39
1849-50
1859
1860-61

Part Fourteen- Go to: http://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/articles/poverty.html

25.  During the Victorian Era, there was a problem with poverty.  Explain what it might have been like to be impoverished.  What was the social attitude toward poor people?  What might the living conditions be?

Evaluation

Each question is worth 4 points.

Your answers will be evaluated on the following:
  1. All questions are answered completely
  2. Answers are in complete sentences
  3. Answers are written neatly

Conclusion

Upon completing this webquest, you should have a better understanding of Victorian England, and the issues that are addressed in A Christmas Carol.  This will give you the knowledge that you need to better understand and appreciate this story.

free templates

Make a free website with Yola