Key learning points

1. Thomas Malthus was an economist who raised concerns about the sustainability of the growing Victorian population.
2. Dickens fundamentally disagreed with the dismissive and callous attitudes of the wealthy towards the poor.
3. Scrooge is an embodiment (and criticism) of the Malthusian ideology that pervaded Victorian society.
4. The Poor Law in 1834 reduced the amount of individual charity the wealthy were willing to contribute.
5. Scrooge exemplifies the quintessential misanthropic Victorian employer in his treatment of Bob Cratchit.

Keywords

• Malthusian - The word ‘Malthusian’ refers to the ideas of an economist called Thomas Malthus who influences Victorian attitudes towards poverty.

• Embody - To embody means to be the perfect example of - to exemplify something.

• Ideology - An ideology is a system of beliefs or values.

• Philanthropist - A philanthropist promotes the welfare of others, often by giving money to charity or campaigning for equality.

• Misanthropist - A misanthropist is someone who views the human race distinctly negatively. They harbour a dislike or hatred for other people.

Common misconception