Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens: A Passionate Advocate of Social Change and the Spirit of Christmas

Born: February 7, 1812
Died: June 9, 1870
Occupation: Novelist, Social Critic, Journalist

I have, and will always be a huge Charles Dickens fan. His works not only bring so much joy, but they are almost a comfort blanket for me, and A Christmas Carol is a text that I will cosy up and dive into each Christmas. Charles Dickens is not just one of the most beloved and prolific authors in English literature; he was a passionate advocate for social reform, a fierce critic of Victorian society’s inequalities, and a storyteller with an extraordinary ability to breathe life into both characters and the world they inhabit. His novels continue to captivate readers worldwide, with his vivid depictions of Victorian London, memorable characters, and powerful social messages.

Early Life and the Spark for Writing

Dickens had a childhood filled with hardship and struggle. Born in Portsmouth, England, he was the second of eight children. His father, John Dickens, was imprisoned for debt when Charles was just twelve years old, sending Charles to work in a factory to support his family. This experience left a lasting impression on him, especially his time spent in the dark, bleak conditions of a blacking factory (where shoe polish was made). The injustice he witnessed in these early years would shape many of his future works and fuel his deep empathy for the poor and oppressed.

 

The Victorian London Dickens Knew

The world Dickens wrote about was a rapidly changing one. The Industrial Revolution had transformed Britain into the world's leading industrial power, but it came at a high cost for many. While the wealthy flourished, a growing population of poor workers lived in slums, often in shocking squalor. The streets of London were crowded and dangerous, with horse-drawn carriages, street vendors, and the smell of coal smoke filling the air. There were no modern sanitation systems, so many people lived in damp, overcrowded conditions that bred disease.

At the same time, the Workhouse system, designed to provide relief for the poor, was harsh and dehumanising. The Poor Law of 1834 aimed to reduce the cost of poor relief, but it often meant that the very poor, including children, were forced into brutal, degrading workhouses. These institutions became the focus of Dickens' social critique, with his works regularly addressing the need for compassion and fairness in how society treated its most vulnerable members.

 A Christmas Awakening: Why Dickens Wrote A Christmas Carol

Dickens’ work often reflected his desire to raise awareness about the plight of the poor and to encourage social change. This was especially true with A Christmas Carol, written in 1843, during a time when the idea of Christmas was changing in England. While Christmas had long been a religious holiday, by the 19th century, it was becoming more of a social occasion—less focused on religion and more on family and charitable giving. Dickens saw this shift as an opportunity to promote a message of kindness and generosity.

At the time, the working class was living under incredibly difficult conditions, and Dickens saw that the spirit of Christmas, with its emphasis on family, community, and charity, could offer a way to inspire people to be more compassionate toward others. The novella, featuring the iconic character of Ebenezer Scrooge, who learns to embrace the joy of giving and the importance of human connection, was both a critique of Victorian greed and a call for social responsibility.

Scrooge’s transformation from a miserly, selfish man to a benevolent benefactor is a powerful metaphor for the possibility of personal redemption and the hope for societal change. Through the visits of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, Scrooge is made to confront his own faults and see how his actions have affected others. Ultimately, A Christmas Carol is about the power of individual agency in changing the world for the better.

Charles Dickens said he wrote A Christmas Carol as a "sledgehammer blow on behalf of a poor man's child," and he was speaking passionately about his desire to defend the rights and dignity of the poor, particularly vulnerable children, in Victorian society.

At the time, Britain was undergoing rapid industrialisation, and the gap between the rich and the poor was growing wider. The poor, especially children, were often subjected to appalling conditions in workhouses, factories, and slums. 
Dickens had a deep sense of empathy for the poor, rooted in his own difficult childhood experiences. In his words, the "sledgehammer blow" refers to the forceful, direct nature of the message he wanted to deliver. By using a Christmas story—often associated with joy, family, and charity—he aimed to shatter the complacency of his wealthier readers who might ignore or overlook the suffering of the poor. In A Christmas Carol, one of the most powerful symbols of the plight of the poor is the character of Tiny Tim, the suffering child of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's underpaid and overworked clerk. Tiny Tim represents the millions of poor children in Victorian England who were at the mercy of harsh social systems, with little to no support from a government that seemed indifferent to their suffering.

Tiny Tim’s condition is not just a personal tragedy—his character symbolises the widespread social neglect of the poor, and his future is dependent on the generosity (or lack thereof) of society’s wealthier members. When Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Present about the fate of Tim, he is told that unless something changes, Tiny Tim will die. This moment is a direct challenge to the reader: if society continues to ignore the needs of the poor, children like Tiny Tim will perish.

Dickens uses the imagery of Tiny Tim, along with Scrooge's transformation from miser to philanthropist, to highlight the moral responsibility of those who are able to help. He wanted to shake the conscience of those in power and encourage them to take action in addressing the poverty and suffering that was all too common, particularly among children.

When Dickens said he wanted to use A Christmas Carol as a "sledgehammer," he meant he wanted to make an impact—a dramatic, unforgettable statement about social injustice. He was deeply moved by the fact that so many children were being worked to death in factories, lived in terrible conditions, and had little to no access to education or healthcare.

The novella’s call to action was clear: individuals, particularly the wealthy, must take responsibility for the well-being of the poor. In A Christmas Carol, the character of Scrooge eventually understands this responsibility, realizing that he has the power—and the obligation—to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than himself.

The Industrial Revolution, Poverty, and Reform

The Industrial Revolution created tremendous wealth for the nation, but it also deepened the divide between the rich and poor. Factories, railways, and new technologies revolutionized the economy, but workers often labored in unsafe, poorly-paid conditions, especially in cities like London. Dickens’ novels, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Hard Times, all tackle issues related to child labor, the treatment of the poor, and the class divide.

Dickens was particularly outraged by the inhumane conditions of workhouses. In Oliver Twist, he famously portrays the grim life of orphans subjected to the cruelty of workhouse managers. Through such works, he drew attention to the devastating effects of the Poor Law and called for a more compassionate approach to social welfare. He believed that society had a moral obligation to care for its weakest members, especially children.

 

Christmas in Victorian London: A Time of Contrasts

Christmas in Victorian London, the setting for many of Dickens' tales, was a time of contrasts. While wealthier families celebrated with lavish dinners, decorations, and gifts, the poor often struggled to survive. Yet, the holiday season was also a time when acts of charity were more likely to be performed, with Christmas dinners for the poor, donations to soup kitchens, and fundraisers designed to help the less fortunate.

Dickens himself was a strong proponent of charitable giving, and his personal life reflected his belief in the importance of helping others. He worked with a number of charities, such as the Southampton Workhouse, and used his influence to raise awareness about social issues through public readings, letters, and essays.

The character of Scrooge, with his initial reluctance to share his wealth and his eventual generosity, reflected the larger societal shift towards recognizing the importance of charity and community in improving society. Dickens used the story of Scrooge to urge readers to reflect on their own values and actions—challenging them to embrace a more generous, empathetic worldview.

Dickens' Legacy

Charles Dickens’ influence on English literature and society is immeasurable. His vivid storytelling, unforgettable characters, and commitment to social justice made him a literary giant of the 19th century. He believed that literature could be a powerful tool for social change, and his works helped to shine a light on the injustices of his time. Today, Dickens’ works continue to inspire readers to question the status quo and to fight for a world that is more just, compassionate, and humane.

For anyone who loves English literature, Dickens offers a gateway to understanding the complexities of Victorian society, the power of storytelling, and the timeless appeal of a message that remains as relevant today as it was in his time: that we must all work to make the world a kinder, fairer place.