This useful document is the pinnacle of what the exam board mark scheme asks for in AQA. It provides you with a detailed analysis on how Ignorance and Want is presented in A Christmas Carol. This ideal Paragraph shows you what you MUST include in a GRADE 9 response as it encompasses. Grade 9 struct...
Why does Dickens use the characters of Ignorance and
Want in the novel?
Dickens uses the two vulnerable and endangered Children, Ignorance and Want, as a
catalyst towards Scrooge’s redemption of his own callous actions and wrong doings
but also a spark to inflict social change and the theme of social responsibility within
those who were ignorant and advantaging in the Victorian Era, just like Scrooge. In
the extract, the two children are initially described as “yellow, meagre, ragged,
scowling, wolfish” in their “humility”. Dicken’s use of this asyndetic list and negative
adjectives to emphasise their horrific appearance but also significantly juxtapose the
innocent and pure God- like characteristics of young children. The fact that they are
“yellow and meagre” shows that they are like a sickness or illness, something that is
corrupting and unwanted and infecting those around them. They are also "meagre”
which shows that they are lacking human qualities and materialistic wealth but
instead are being dehumanised only because of the result of those above those who
don’t care to give and support those suffering below them. This can also be linked to
the industrial revolution as many were dying from a sickness called jaundice and
many were treated animalistically only to be used as an advantage towards the gains
of the upper class. In Stave 4, we learn that Tiny Tim is going to die within a year
without no support. This shows that through Scrooge’s callous and uncaring attitude,
they are potentially wiping out the course of the population and through the use of
Ignorance and Want, Dicken’s tries to highlight the dangers of the human actions
and activities and how this this lack of social responsibility needs to increase in
abundance. Perhaps Marxist Critics would argue that the exploitation of the
bourgeoise should be acknowledged by them and stopped in order to prevent this.
However, many would argue that the proletariats need to rebel against their
subservient rules in order to bring out social change.
WWW: good understanding of the text and the roles of the characters EBI: comment on Dickens'
characterisation ignorance and want, the methods used and why this is effective.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller sharligathanukanth. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £15.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
