Introduction
This web quest is here to direct you through the Victorian Era, the Industrial Revolution, child labor during this time, workhouses, and debtors prison as they pertain to A Christmas Carol.
Introduction
In 1843, Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol as a call for social reform in Victorian England. It is about a miserly and greedy, selfish old man named Ebenezer Scrooge.
One Christmas Eve, he is visited by the spirit of his dead partner, who had died seven years ago, Jacob Marley. Marley warns Scrooge that his selfish ways are going to come back and haunt him. He tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts: The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, The Ghost of Christmas Future. Throughout the story, each ghost makes Scrooge aware of the mistakes that he had made and will make. In the end, Scrooge decides to change his dreadful ways and become a kind and generous man.
Task
During this web quest, you will be visiting a number of different web sites in order to answer questions about Victorian England, the Industrial Revolution, child labor during this time, workhouses, and debtors prison.
As you continue into the next section, you will find the quest broken down into three sections. You need to complete the sections in the order given. Use the online web quest to guide you through your research. Do not skip ahead. Please take your time as you work through each section to make sure you do not miss any important information or instructions. You are required to use the internet links that are provided to you; however, you may use other sources provide they are properly (MLA) cited.
Write out your answers in complete sentences, noting your sources for your Works Cited slide, to be used later in your PowerPoint.
Remember: When in doubt, READ THE DIRECTIONS!
Process
A Christmas Carol is set during the 1800s in Victorian London, England. The Industrial Age was born and became an enchanting playground for inventions and discoveries. Out of this time came many new ideas, some of which became popular and spread around the world quickly. The Victorians invented the modern idea of invention and believed that man could create new means of bettering himself and society. Although filled with old values and traditions, this was a very hard time for some people. The population grew and grew as the industrial revolution continued. Dickens lived during this time, and he wrote about many of the things he observed in the world.
Your mission is to create a PowerPoint that discusses your findings for the following prompts:
1. Summarize this time period in one well-constructed paragraph of 8-10 sentences. Don't forget a title and the essentials of a paragraph: topic sentence, transitions, 2-3 examples, a concluding statement (DO NOT USE IN CONCLUSION - EVER!), and proper spelling and punctuation.
2. The story takes place during the Victorian Era, a period of history from 1837-1901 during the reign of the Queen Victoria. What made Victorians “Victorian” more than anything? In other words, what attitude did Victorians have that made them different from people before them?
3. Where is Camden Town located? Be specific. Include the map in your PowerPoint. http://charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html4.
Discuss three significant inventions that came from the Industrial Revolution and how they changed history. Industrial Revolution Inventions Include a picture of each invention.
Poverty can create a cycle that is difficult to get out of. See Victorian Social Classes. Bob Cratchit had to work to feed his family as well as try to get health care for his disabled son. Create a visual for the Victorian social classes and explain their characteristics.
5. Back in England's Victorian era, coins were called pound, shilling, and pence. See Victorian Era Money. Scrooge paid his worker “fifteen shilling a week.” What could you buy with that? Scroll down to find “Fifteen Bob a week” A Christmas Carol Create a chart that compares and contrasts Victorian to today's American dollar. Explain your findings (So What?).
6. Tiny Tim was a little boy who had an illness that made it difficult for him to walk without a crutch. What disease did he have? See Dickens' Christmas Page. List and explain three major diseases during this time period, and discuss their status in modern society. See Victorian Era Diseases.
Education was not highly valued in Victorian England, so many children did not attend school. Instead, they were required to go to work and earn money towards the family's income. Today, children are required to attend school and are protected by Child Labor Laws. Click here to read about child labor. Research current American child labor laws and contrast these to Victorian child labor laws.
7. Please read the list of 10 rules here, which were found in a typical Victorian classroom. Create a chart to compare and contrast Victorian classrooms with typical American classrooms. Summarize your findings in a visual.
8. Create and explain at least five hardships that child laborers faced during Victorian times. Child Labor
9. When Scrooge is asked to donate money to the poor, he refuses and asks, “Are there no prisons? And Union workhouses?” What is a Union Workhouse? What was it like? Check out The union workhouse, a history & resource. Create a detailed advertisement (flier, brochure, handbill, newspaper ad, etc.) for a Union Workhouse. Include this in your Powerpoint.
10. Read about the diets of those who were lodged in workhouses here. Do you think it is a good idea to send people away because they are poor, out of work, or owe money? See workhouses. Create a 8-10 sentence editorial and include this in your PowerPoint.
11. Visit this website and select six or more important events in Charles Dickens’ life. Place the events on a timeline in correct order. Charles Dickens: A Chronology of his Life. Include this in your PowerPoint.
12. Check out the Bleak House video (please use headphones). When faced with adversity, a person has two choices he or she could make. What can you learn from Charles Dickens's story? Create a visual that ties this theme to The 7 Habits. Include in your PowerPoint.
Click here to explore Victorian England. More Victorian England
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 novel.