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11 Jan 2026
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Exploring Poverty in A Christmas Carol - Grade 9 Essay
Kimmy
@kimberlyfernandes_qzce
The Roots of Poverty: Scrooge as Victorian Society's Mirror
Ever wondered why Scrooge starts off so utterly horrible? Dickens deliberately crafts him as a microcosm representing everything wrong with Victorian upper-class attitudes that caused widespread poverty.
The famous simile "secret, self-contained, solitary as an oyster" uses sibilance to create an atmosphere of isolation, reflecting how the wealthy deliberately shut themselves off from society's problems. The oyster's hard shell symbolises the ice-cold demeanour of the upper classes towards the poor - but cleverly, oysters contain pearls, hinting at Scrooge's hidden potential for good.
Dickens hammers home the destructive power of greed with "hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire". The adjectives 'hard' and 'sharp' emphasise the rigid, harmful nature of upper-class attitudes, while the "generous fire" represents the warmth and compassion they refuse to show.
When Scrooge asks "Are there no prisons? The treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour then?", Dickens directly criticises the New Poor Law of 1834. This law was supposedly designed to help the poor but actually stripped them of basic rights and dignity, making poverty worse rather than better.
💡 Key Point: Scrooge isn't just a character - he represents the selfish attitudes of Victorian society that created and maintained poverty.
The Devastating Reality: Ignorance and Want
The children Ignorance and Want represent Dickens' most powerful condemnation of poverty's effects. These aren't just symbolic figures - they're a wake-up call about real suffering in Victorian England.
Dickens describes them as "yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate" using asyndetic listing to create overwhelming imagery of pain. The adjective 'yellow' shows malnourishment and links to death - these children have lost their natural glow to poverty. Calling them 'wolfish' suggests they've been dehumanised, reduced to animals by society's neglect.
The Ghost of Christmas Present's urgent command "Look, look down here... They are Man's" serves as Dickens' own voice demanding action. The repetition of 'look' emphasises the desperate need for awareness - you can't solve problems you refuse to see. The collective noun 'Man's' stresses that these problems belong to all of society, not just individuals.
Dickens transforms Scrooge completely by Stave 5, showing that change is possible. The tricolon "I am as happy as an angel, merry as a schoolboy... giddy as a drunken man" demonstrates his joy through three stages of increasing excitement. When we read "he did it all, and infinitely more", the word 'infinitely' shows there's no limit to generosity once you start caring.
💡 Remember: Dickens wrote this to inspire real change - he wanted readers to see poverty's causes and feel motivated to help solve them.
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Exploring Poverty in A Christmas Carol - Grade 9 Essay
Kimmy
@kimberlyfernandes_qzce
Dickens' A Christmas Carolis far more than just a festive story - it's a powerful social commentary that exposes the harsh realities of poverty in Victorian England. Through Scrooge's transformation, Dickens reveals how greed and selfishness create poverty, shows... Show more
The Roots of Poverty: Scrooge as Victorian Society's Mirror
Ever wondered why Scrooge starts off so utterly horrible? Dickens deliberately crafts him as a microcosm representing everything wrong with Victorian upper-class attitudes that caused widespread poverty.
The famous simile "secret, self-contained, solitary as an oyster" uses sibilance to create an atmosphere of isolation, reflecting how the wealthy deliberately shut themselves off from society's problems. The oyster's hard shell symbolises the ice-cold demeanour of the upper classes towards the poor - but cleverly, oysters contain pearls, hinting at Scrooge's hidden potential for good.
Dickens hammers home the destructive power of greed with "hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire". The adjectives 'hard' and 'sharp' emphasise the rigid, harmful nature of upper-class attitudes, while the "generous fire" represents the warmth and compassion they refuse to show.
When Scrooge asks "Are there no prisons? The treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour then?", Dickens directly criticises the New Poor Law of 1834. This law was supposedly designed to help the poor but actually stripped them of basic rights and dignity, making poverty worse rather than better.
💡 Key Point: Scrooge isn't just a character - he represents the selfish attitudes of Victorian society that created and maintained poverty.
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Devastating Reality: Ignorance and Want
The children Ignorance and Want represent Dickens' most powerful condemnation of poverty's effects. These aren't just symbolic figures - they're a wake-up call about real suffering in Victorian England.
Dickens describes them as "yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate" using asyndetic listing to create overwhelming imagery of pain. The adjective 'yellow' shows malnourishment and links to death - these children have lost their natural glow to poverty. Calling them 'wolfish' suggests they've been dehumanised, reduced to animals by society's neglect.
The Ghost of Christmas Present's urgent command "Look, look down here... They are Man's" serves as Dickens' own voice demanding action. The repetition of 'look' emphasises the desperate need for awareness - you can't solve problems you refuse to see. The collective noun 'Man's' stresses that these problems belong to all of society, not just individuals.
Dickens transforms Scrooge completely by Stave 5, showing that change is possible. The tricolon "I am as happy as an angel, merry as a schoolboy... giddy as a drunken man" demonstrates his joy through three stages of increasing excitement. When we read "he did it all, and infinitely more", the word 'infinitely' shows there's no limit to generosity once you start caring.
💡 Remember: Dickens wrote this to inspire real change - he wanted readers to see poverty's causes and feel motivated to help solve them.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user