Discussion Questions for Video Excerpt 1: Collecting Donations | History and Social Studies

Discussion Questions for Video Excerpt 1: Collecting Donations

by SAM MAUCERI

Larry Yando, Penelope Walker, and Susaan Jamshidi in “A Christmas Carol” at Goodman Theatre. Photo by Liz Lauren.

The following questions were written to accompany this excerpt from the 2019 production of “A Christmas Carol.” You may find them particularly useful in History or Social Studies classrooms.

In this scene, the wealthy Scrooge refuses to donate to the poor in his community. Does this hoarding of wealth remind you of any other characters from fiction? Of any real life figures from history or present day?

What are some examples of how economic inequality affects Americans today? What systems and people are responsible for perpetuating this inequality? Do you know of any initiatives or laws that have been proposed to alleviate economic inequality? For more information on income and wealth inequality today, check out this video from Crash Course Economics.

In a recent survey from the Pew Research Center, Americans with different political affiliations were asked whether they thought different factors “contribute a great deal to economic inequality”. They were asked about factors like the tax system, problems with the education system, racial discrimination, and individual life choices. Which of these factors do you think contribute most significantly to economic inequality? Why?

How do you think wealth impacts Scrooge’s world view? Which of the above factors do you think he would say contribute to economic inequality in his community? 6