Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-5-gothic-fiction-and-victorian-england [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol.md) › Gothic Fiction & Victorian England # Gothic Fiction & Victorian England English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol, topic 4.1.5 ## Gothic Fiction: Characters Gothic fiction boasts several different types of characters: ### Heroes ![Heroes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/6f636982-386e-4bf8-911c-439ac16d2977/shutterstock_226184161.jpg) - After being the villain, Scrooge transforms into the hero. ### Angels ![Angels](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/aa4873a9-7395-4532-96ef-9ce73cecdf2e/shutterstock_129037523%20(1).jpg) - Fan, who Scrooge loved but she died before her time. ### Ghosts ![Ghosts](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0e02bf82-e5cc-4d28-8f83-682a3dfd1588/shutterstock_415185607.jpg) - Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. ### Persecuted women ![Persecuted women](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/f7a6e7df-78ca-40da-86a8-6ab331d19481/shutterstock_701147986.jpg) - Belle, who suffers because Scrooge becomes too greedy. ## Gothic Fiction in Victorian England In Victorian England, Gothic fiction set in an urban area became very popular, especially novels set in London. Before this era, Gothic novels were generally set in the countryside or somewhere else very isolated. ### Gothic features ![Gothic features](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/79914b1a-650c-4af4-b44e-5642a398b10f/shutterstock_246477910.jpg) - Therefore, readers would be drawn into this novella – it contains all the staple features of popular Victorian gothic fiction, including being set in bustling London. ### Rich helping poor ![Rich helping poor](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/5951571c-3e95-4300-bb96-beeee722bd2e/shutterstock_388045660.jpg) - It also tells a controversial tale of the rich helping the poor: - The devoutly Christian readers of Victorian England may have liked this novella because the moral of the story reminds them to be kind and compassionate to the less fortunate at Christmas time. - But, Victorian readers may have disliked elements of the story as it was published during a time of high poverty and, therefore, high taxation on the richer people – the middle and upper classes already felt that they should not be required to give money to support the ‘lazy’ lower classes. ## Test yourself on Gothic Fiction & Victorian England - Which character could be thought of as an angel? - Which character could be thought of as a persecuted woman? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ddff7b40-4794-11e8-840f-39fdc9615de8/section/c8fd8b14-7754-4838-8af4-b3b1d5fe5a63/session) - Previous topic: [4.1.4 Gothic Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-4-gothic-fiction.md) - Next topic: [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-context.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Plot Summary - [1.1.1 Outline](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-1-outline.md) - [1.1.2 Introducing Scrooge & Marley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-2-introducing-scrooge-and-marley.md) - [1.1.3 Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-3-stave-1.md) - [1.1.4 Stave 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-4-stave-2.md) - [1.1.5 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-5-stave-3.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Staves 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-staves-1-3.md) - [1.1.7 Stave 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-7-stave-4.md) - [1.1.8 Stave 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-8-stave-5.md) - [1.1.9 End of Topic Test - Staves 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-9-end-of-topic-test-staves-4-5.md) - [1.1.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Belle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-belle.md) ### 2 Key Characters & Quotes - 2.1 Ebenezer Scrooge - [2.1.1 Outline & Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-1-outline-and-stave-1.md) - [2.1.2 Stave 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-2-stave-2.md) - [2.1.3 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-3-stave-3.md) - [2.1.4 Stave 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-4-stave-4.md) - [2.1.5 Stave 5 & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-5-stave-5-and-key-quotes.md) - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Ebeneezer Scrooge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-ebeneezer-scrooge.md) - [2.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Scrooge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-scrooge.md) - 2.2 Other Characters - [2.2.1 Bob Cratchit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-1-bob-cratchit.md) - [2.2.2 Tiny Tim](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-2-tiny-tim.md) - [2.2.3 Fred](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-3-fred.md) - [2.2.4 The Ghosts Pt 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-4-the-ghosts-pt-1.md) - [2.2.5 The Ghosts Pt 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-5-the-ghosts-pt-2.md) - [2.2.6 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-6-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) - [2.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-bob-marley.md) - [2.2.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-two-ghosts.md) - [2.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost-of-christmas.md) - [2.2.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-the-cratchits.md) - 2.3 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [2.3.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-3-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [2.3.2 Grade 9 - Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-3-2-grade-9-extract-analysis.md) ### 3 Key Ideas - 3.1 Key Ideas - [3.1.1 Inequality, Ignorance & Want](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-1-inequality-ignorance-and-want.md) - [3.1.2 Duality, Family & Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-2-duality-family-and-love.md) - [3.1.3 Christianity & Redemption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-3-christianity-and-redemption.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-key-ideas.md) - [3.1.5 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-5-grade-9-key-themes.md) ### 4 Context - 4.1 Context - [4.1.1 Dickens & Victorian England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-1-dickens-and-victorian-england.md) - [4.1.2 Poverty & Victorian Christmas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-2-poverty-and-victorian-christmas.md) - [4.1.3 Exam-Style Questions - Poverty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-3-exam-style-questions-poverty.md) - [4.1.4 Gothic Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-4-gothic-fiction.md) - [4.1.5 Gothic Fiction & Victorian England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-5-gothic-fiction-and-victorian-england.md) - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - [4.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Dickens & Socialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-dickens-and-socialism.md) - [4.1.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Misanthropy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-misanthropy.md) ### 5 Authorial Method - 5.1 Structure & Techniques - [5.1.1 Structure & Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-1-structure-and-time.md) - [5.1.2 Time Frame & Pace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-2-time-frame-and-pace.md) - [5.1.3 Narrative Voice & Tone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-3-narrative-voice-and-tone.md) - [5.1.4 Settings, Similes & Metaphors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-4-settings-similes-and-metaphors.md) - [5.1.5 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-5-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Recap: Main Quotes - [6.1.1 Scrooge Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-1-scrooge-quotes.md) - [6.1.2 Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-2-bob-and-tiny-tim-quotes.md) - [6.1.3 Fred & Ghosts Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-3-fred-and-ghosts-quotes.md) - [6.1.4 Ignorance & Want Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-4-ignorance-and-want-quotes.md) - [6.1.5 Other Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-5-other-quotes.md)