A Carol For Change

A CAROL FOR CHANGE

This book is intended to start a conversation around Sustainable Development Goal #10 - Reduced Inequalities.

Use it as a launching point with your students towards building common language around equality, equity, and social change in their community and beyond.

Written and illustrated by: Robin Ross Edited by: Alexandra Hughes Brilliant Labs, 2020

The classic ghost story, A Christmas Carol, was written

by Charles Dickens in 1843.

The fictional story made lasting changes in the world that still exist to this day. His story changed how people thought about Christmas, and also how they celebrated it.

A Christmas Carol was written at a time when Christmas didn't have the same traditions we know today. These days, a lot of stores, businesses and factories close for the holiday, but that wasn't the case in England at this time.

Many people were living in poverty and couldn't afford to take the day off work and celebrate.

Poverty was severe in Victorian England. Through his writing, Dickens spoke up for the rights of the poor, especially poor children. In the story, the main character, Scrooge, learns to appreciate that he can make positive change for the people in his community by treated his employees more fairly.

A Christmas Carol was a smash hit at the time, and the holiday traditions that Dickens highlighted became part of many family's Christmas celebrations. This included spending time with family and the importance of generosity. Dickens reminded the people of England that Christmas is about family and gratitude.

The book also depicted giftgiving during Christmas even though it was traditionally done at New Years up until this time. This inspired a change that continues to this day!

Christmas feasting, which at the time was seen as a selfish tradition, was rebranded by Dickens as a way to spend time with family.

The story changed the focus of Christmas from a community event to a family event. Dicken’s love for snow was also shared in the story. To this day, it is very common in many countries to hope for snow on Christmas.

Charles Dickens put an emphasis on generosity in many of his stories; especially to children and people living in poverty.

The idea of “Christmas spirit” as a year-round commitment to generosity came from A Christmas Carol.

The main character of A Christmas Carol was haunted by ghosts because he didn’t pay his employees fairly or give them time off during Christmas. Because of the story’s influence, paid vacations for the holidays became common.

Charles Dickens cared deeply about the well-being of others. By expressing that passion through his art, he created a work that changed both how we think of Christmas and how we employers treat their workers!

Inquiry Questions:

Research England, or a different country, during the mid-19th century.

What was life like for people at this time?

What were some of the traditions, and how does that differ from England, or elsewhere, today?

Charles Dickens used his story writing to affect social change where he lived.

What are some issues that affect people living in your community?

What other authors are writing to influence social change?

How could you use art or technology to raise awareness or influence change where you live?

Take It Further:

Create art (physical or digital) that shares a message about one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Visit projects.brilliantlabs.ca and search for "educ-art" or "inspire change" for more ideas.

HOW WE CAN HELP TEACHERS & EARLY LEARNERS Brilliant Labs is a not-for-profit, hands-on technology and experiential learning platform based in Atlantic Canada. We support the integration of global citizenship, creativity, innovation, coding, and a socially responsible entrepreneurial spirit within classrooms, curricula, and communities.

If you have questions about our organization and how we can help you in your classroom, please connect with us by email at info@brilliantlabs.ca or visit www.BrilliantLabs.ca