Introduction
Soon, we will read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This play takes place in the Victorian era in England (1837-1901). In order to understand the play, you must understand what life was like during that time. You may discover odd social customs or words, such as, plum pudding, smoking bishop, and bed curtains. This web quest will help you to comprehend A Christmas Carol.
Task
Embark on this web quest to learn about the life and times of Charles Dickens and the Victorian Era.
Process
- Read the questions.
- Click on the corresponding website link.
- Respond the the questions when you find the information you are looking for.
- Be sure to write in complete sentences and explain your answers.
- *Do NOT copy directly from the website. Use your own words!
Stop 1:
Click on the following link: https://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/life/timeline/
1. What year was Charles Dickens' born?
2. How long was Dickens in a relationship with Maria Beadnell?
3. What was Dickens doing right before he died?
4. What famous story(ies) did Dickens write in 1843?
Stop 2:
Go to the following link: http://charlesdickenspage.com/christmas.html
5. 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?
6. 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?
Stop 3:
Go to the following link: http://charlesdickenspage.com/dickens_london_map.html
7. What real life person and what A Christmas Carol character lived in Camden Town?
8. 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?
Stop 4:
Go to: https://faculty.unlv.edu/kirschen/handouts/victorian.html
9. Summarize this time period in one paragraph (3 sentences)
10. According to the first bullet point, what is one of the major themes in Victorian literature?
Stop 5:
Go to: http://crossref-it.info/articles/263/characteristics-of-victorian-britain
11. List two changes that occurred during the Victorian Era.
12. Look in the social concern section. What were the daily problems for ordinary people?
Stop 6:
Go to the following site: http://charlesdickenspage.com/carol.html
13. Read the section titled "Fifteen Bob a Week". Scrooge pays his employee "fifteen shillings a week". What could be bought with that?
Stop 7:
Go to: http://www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/dietwh.html
14. 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.
Stop 8:
Go to: http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/schoolday.htm
15. 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.
Stop 9:
Go to: https://friendsofoakgrovecemetery.org/victorian-funeral-customs-fears-and-superstitions/
16. Read the first three paragraphs. Explain 3-4 of the customs Victorians observed at the time of a death.
17. Scroll down the page a bit. List 3-4 superstitions Victorians believed regarding death.
Stop 10:
Go to: http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/child-labour
18. Read the first two paragraphs. Explain 3 hardships poor children faced.
Stop 11:
Go to: http://charlesdickenspage.com/reading_dickens.html
19. In the nineteenth century, who read Dickens?
20. Why, as we read Dickens today, is it challenging?
Stop 12:
Go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens
21. Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836. How many children did they have?
22. Dickens wrote 20 major novels during his lifetime. Please write down four; they should match the dates:
1837-1839
1849-50
1859
1860-61
Stop 13:
Go to: http://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/articles/poverty.html
23. 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 toward poor people? What might the living conditions be?
Evaluation
Each question is worth 3 points. To earn all 3 points, you must:
- Answer the question correctly.
- Answer in a complete sentence.
- Write neatly.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed this web quest. Have fun reading A Christmas Carol!
Credits
Based on the Ms. Elgin's web quest found at http://achristmascarolwebquest.yolasite.com