Biography of Charles Dickens

On your worksheet answer the questions:

• What was the date of Charles Dickens' birth?

• How long was Dickens in a relationship with Maria Beadnell?

• What was Dickens doing right before he died?

• What famous story(ies) did Dickens write in 1843?

Christmas Carol Part 1

Go to the page given and answer the questions.

• 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?

• 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?

Map of London

Using the cite given, answer the following questions:

• What real life person and what A Christmas Carol character lived in Camden Town?

• 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?

Victorian social, political, and economic

Dickens lived during the Victorian era. Look up this website and answer the questions:

• List two changes that occurred during the Victorian Era.

• Look in the social concern section. What were the daily problems for ordinary people?

Read "Fifteen Bob a Week"

• Scrooge pays his employee "fifteen shillings a week". What could be bought with that?

Victorian Foods

Examine this chart and answer the questions:

• 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.

Schools During Dickens's Time

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

Fears and Superstitions

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

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

The British Library

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

What's a parlor game?

• 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.

Tips for Reading Dickens

Answer the questions:

• In the nineteenth century, who read Dickens?

• Why, as we read Dickens today, is it challenging?

Dickenspedia

Using the site answer:

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

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

1837-39

1849-50

1859

1860-61

Hidden Lives

• 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