Why does Charles Dickens reference Bedlam in A Christmas Carol?

Answer 1

Charles Dickens references Bedlam in "A Christmas Carol" to highlight the harsh treatment of the mentally ill during the Victorian era. Bedlam, formally known as the Bethlem Royal Hospital, was notorious for its inhumane conditions and mistreatment of patients. By alluding to Bedlam, Dickens emphasizes the need for compassion and social reform, as seen through Scrooge's transformation and his newfound empathy towards those less fortunate.

Answer 2

Bedlam was a well known "Hospital"/Prison for the "Mentally Ill"/Insane of the time. To omit it would be as obvious as to omit Debtors Prisons, Orphanages, or any of the other unjust parts of the society present in Dickens' time.

Answer 3

He was boarded out in school in his younger days and left there even at Christmas

He was sent to work with FezzyWigg where he fell in love with Belle

His sister Fan died in childbirth when Fred Scrooges nephew was born and this had a massive effect on scrooge after that

Scrooge dedicated himself to earning money as he thought that this was the only way to be successful

Belle released Scrooge from his promise of marriage because he had an eye only for money

Scrooge meets with Marley as they were apprentices and they start a business of merchanting, financial loans and property rental

They become rich but scrooge follows a very poor lifestyle hoarding his money

In 1839 Marley dies on Christmas Eve and scrooge takes over his house and business dealings

Scrooge continues his lifestyle and treats people with no compassion at all even at christmas

Answer 4

Charles Dickens references Bedlam, an infamous psychiatric hospital in London, to highlight the harsh conditions faced by the mentally ill in society during that time. By showcasing the neglected and impoverished state of those at Bedlam, Dickens raises awareness about the prevalence of social issues like poverty and mental illness in Victorian England. This reference serves to emphasize the theme of compassion and societal responsibility present throughout "A Christmas Carol."

Answer 5

Bedlam was a hospital of poor repute where people with learning difficulties and mental illness where housed