T1 : AXE D'ÉTUDE 1
UNITÉ ET PLURALITÉ Start by watching this video ⤸
UNITÉ ET PLURALITÉ Start by watching this video ⤸
Closed / Descriptive (Factual Recall)
Where does the Notting Hill Carnival take place?
What kinds of food are mentioned as being sold at the Carnival?
How many people are expected to attend over the Sunday and Monday?
4. Why is the Empire Windrush significant to the history of the Carnival?
5. What does the speaker mean when they say “Carnival started because of rioting, racial tension”?
6. How do Mas Bands and sound systems contribute to the atmosphere of the Carnival?
Personal Reaction / Opinion
7. Which aspect of the Carnival would you most like to experience (music, food, floats, costumes, atmosphere)? Why?
8. Do you think events like the Notting Hill Carnival are important for communities? Explain your answer.
If you see this arrow ⌄ you can open the text box.
⤸
It's the August bank holiday weekend and for so many that means one thing: the Notting Hill Carnival.
Two days of music, dancing, and celebration on the streets of West London. For some, it was their first time.
VOXPOPS
"It's lovely to hear, see her enjoy all this music, all the people, the food. You know, her feeling at home. It's lovely."
"It just brings everyone together. Always a great two days and we love it, and we want to get this one involved as early as possible."
"I like the floats, the music, and seeing the people walk round".
A CELEBRATION OF CARIBBEAN CULTURE
Now, more than anything, the event is a celebration of Caribbean culture — the steel bands, the food with jerk chicken on the barbecue, and stalls selling everything from curried goat to ackee and saltfish.
EMPIRE WINDRUSH
And it may never have happened had it not been for the arrival of the Empire Windrush 75 years ago, bringing hundreds from the West Indies to fill post-war labor shortages.
"It's about the culture, touching base with how we celebrate. It's about the steel pan. It's about all of us being able to celebrate in the way we do. Carnival started because of rioting, because of racial tension. It started because of rioting, racial tension.... So, from that, this."
MAS BANDS
And there's another milestone too: 50 years since Mas Bands were introduced. Short for masquerade, they're at the heart of Carnival — the costumes, the music, the floats.
SOUND SYSTEMS
1973 also marked the first use of sound systems, with music booming around the residential roads and dancing in the streets as much a part of the event as the parade. Carnival is all about bringing cultures and communities together at what is the biggest street festival in Europe. In fact, over the Sunday and Monday, around 2 million people are expected to come along.
FAMILY DAY
Day one is all about the children, billed as the Family Day, although some managed to nap despite the booming bass.
On Monday, the adults will party even harder. But this is about fun for all, whatever the age.
Emma Birchley, Sky News, West London.
THE WINDRUSH GENERATION
Definition: Refers to Caribbean migrants who arrived in the UK between 1948 and the early 1970s, many on the ship HMT Empire Windrush.
Origins: Britain invited workers from its Caribbean colonies to help rebuild the economy after WWII, due to labour shortages.
Consequences: They contributed significantly to sectors like transport, healthcare, and manufacturing. Their arrival reshaped Britain’s demographic and cultural landscape, but also led to racial tensions, discrimination, and — decades later — the Windrush scandal, which exposed injustices in immigration policy.
CARNIVAL AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS
Definition: Large street festivals celebrating Caribbean music, dance, and identity, with Notting Hill Carnival being the most famous in the UK.
Origins: Rooted in Trinidad’s Carnival traditions and brought to Britain in the 1960s by Caribbean communities, partly as a response to racial hostility and to affirm cultural pride.
Consequences: Now a major cultural event attracting millions, influencing British music (reggae, calypso, soca, steelpan) and fostering multiculturalism, though it has also faced challenges from policing controversies and debates on cultural representation.
THE "CARNIVAL KISS" & ICONIC GESTURES
Definition: The practice of police officers dancing, smiling, and posing for light-hearted photos (including kisses on the cheek) with carnival-goers.
Origins: Emerged particularly from the 1980s onward, when the Metropolitan Police sought to improve relations with Caribbean communities after decades of tension, especially following the 1976 clashes.
Consequences: These interactions became symbolic gestures of goodwill, softening the public image of the police and offering positive media coverage, though critics argue they can mask deeper issues of mistrust and over-policing.
THE 1976 CARNIVAL RIOT
Definition: A major clash between carnival-goers and police during the August Bank Holiday celebrations in Notting Hill, London.
Origins: Tensions had been rising between the Metropolitan Police and Caribbean youth, fuelled by racial discrimination, heavy-handed policing, and broader economic hardship.
Consequences: The violence, which resulted in injuries on both sides and hundreds of arrests, led to lasting mistrust between the police and the local community, but also prompted debates on policing methods at cultural events.
POLICING AND PUBLIC ORDER ISSUES
Definition: The security challenges and frequent confrontations between law enforcement and attendees at Notting Hill Carnival.
Origins: Since the 1970s, the carnival’s growing size — now attracting over two million visitors — has made crowd control and crime prevention a central concern for authorities, sometimes leading to a heavy police presence perceived as intrusive.
Consequences: While overall crime rates at the carnival are proportionally low, high-profile incidents have kept security in the spotlight, shaping how large multicultural events are managed in the UK.
MEDIA COVERAGE & PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Definition: How incidents of violence at the carnival have been reported and interpreted by British media and society.
Origins: In the 1970s–80s, certain newspapers focused heavily on clashes, framing the event as dangerous, often overlooking its cultural and economic contributions.
Consequences: This skewed portrayal reinforced racial stereotypes for some audiences, but also prompted community and cultural leaders to speak out, resulting in stronger efforts to promote the carnival’s positive identity and heritage.
What event is being reported in the video, and where does it take place?
Which cultural traditions and foods are highlighted as part of the Carnival?
What historical event is linked to the origins of the Notting Hill Carnival?
Why do the interviewees (vox pops) say the Carnival is important to them?
How did social tensions in the past contribute to the creation of Carnival?
What role do Mas Bands and sound systems play in shaping the identity of the event?
What do you think makes an event like the Notting Hill Carnival appealing to so many people?
Do you believe large cultural festivals are important for community life? Why or why not?
If you could attend the Carnival, which part (music, food, costumes, history, atmosphere) would you most enjoy, and why?
1. What event is being reported in the video, and where does it take place?
The video is about the Notting Hill Carnival, which happens every August in West London.
2. Which cultural traditions and foods are highlighted as part of the Carnival?
The Carnival shows Caribbean culture, with steel bands, Mas Bands, costumes, music, and food like jerk chicken, curried goat, and ackee and saltfish.
3. What historical event is linked to the origins of the Notting Hill Carnival?
It is linked to the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948, when people from the Caribbean came to Britain, and also to racial tensions and riots that led to the first celebrations.
4. Why do the interviewees (vox pops) say the Carnival is important to them?
They say it’s important because it brings people together, lets families enjoy music and food, and helps them feel at home.
5. How did social tensions in the past contribute to the creation of Carnival?
Carnival began as a response to racial tension and riots in London. It became a way for Caribbean communities to express their culture and celebrate together.
6. What role do Mas Bands and sound systems play in shaping the identity of the event?
Mas Bands bring the costumes, floats, and parades, while sound systems bring loud music and dancing in the streets. Together they make Carnival colourful, noisy, and joyful.
7. What do you think makes an event like the Notting Hill Carnival appealing to so many people?
It’s exciting because of the music, costumes, and food, and because it feels like a huge party where everyone can join in.
8. Do you believe large cultural festivals are important for community life? Why or why not?
Yes, because they bring people together, show respect for different cultures, and give communities a chance to celebrate.
9. If you could attend the Carnival, which part (music, food, costumes, history, atmosphere) would you most enjoy, and why?
I would enjoy the music and dancing most, because it creates a lively atmosphere and makes everyone feel connected.
So, let's talk about unity and diversity.
Let's start with this question : what forms can plurality and diversity take in today's world ?
They can be seen across beliefs, religions, lifestyles, and languages. These differences may appear at the level of individuals, communities, or entire nations. But do such differences always bring people together? Unfortunately, they can also cause division—whether through social class, economic inequality, or heated debates on issues like gender roles, same-sex marriage, or emerging global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, or automation.
Can diversity be more than a source of conflict?
Well, yes—it can also be a powerful asset. When individuals are open to mutual influence and change, society grows stronger. Does living together require effort? Absolutely. It means breaking down barriers, welcoming new perspectives, and engaging with others in a respectful and positive way. Sharing experience and knowledge is one of the best ways to grow. Sharing know-how and lived experience encourages innovation and helps societies to move forward.
So, is peaceful coexistence always easy?
Not at all. Differences can lead to tension or even conflict—especially when they turn into deep divides. When people reject what they don’t understand, it can result in exclusion, discrimination, or in the worst cases, violence and genocide. Even though multiculturalism and multilingualism are now viewed as strengths, they sometimes lead to marginalization and separation.
So, are all groups treated equally in diverse societies?
Well, sadly, no. Discrimination still targets minorities, women—often treated as second-class citizens—and the poor. This can create a divided society and it prevent real harmony between communities.
Does history offer examples of this?
Yes. For example, Apartheid in South Africa is a striking case of a political system that institutionalized division and inequality. Apartheid shows how power structures can harm society. Similar patterns appeared in the U.S. during segregation and even today with regards Native Americans. Similarly, in Australia, Aboriginal peoples have suffered cruelty and widespread exclusion. In Canada, indigenous children were taken from their families and forced into boarding schools that erased their cultural identity.
So, despite historical atrocities, can difference also unite people?
The answer is yes—if we choose to value and celebrate diversity. Cultural and sporting events, festivals, commemorations, and celebrations can bring people together. Music and sport can help create unity. These activities foster community, encourage a sense of pride and belonging, and promote inclusion—unlike systems that concentrate benefits among the privileged few while excluding other members of society.
Now watch and listen to the same text being read.
Now just listen to the text being read.
Now listen to Oxely talking about some of the main vocabulary.
Use these quizzes to revise the vocabulary for an in-class quiz.
Be prepared to answer the following questions in class.
What are some of the areas where diversity can be observed according to the text?
What are the potential positive outcomes of diversity?
What does the author mean by "living together requires effort"?
How does the text explain the dangers of rejecting differences?
What historical example is used to illustrate institutionalized division?
How are multiculturalism and multilingualism portrayed in the text?
What role do cultural and sporting events play in fostering unity?
Do you think diversity is more often a source of conflict or of strength in today’s world? Why?
Can you think of a country where peaceful coexistence between communities works well? What factors make it work?
In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle to social unity today?
Is it possible to fully eliminate discrimination in modern societies? Why or why not?
Do you think commemorating past injustices (like apartheid or residential schools) helps society move forward? Explain.
How can young people contribute to building inclusive communities?
How do sports or music help create a sense of belonging? Give real-life examples if possible.
“Sharing experience encourages innovation.” Do you agree? Can you think of a field (education, science, culture…) where this is especially true?
Here are a few answer starters and ideas.
What are some of the areas where diversity can be observed according to the text?
Diversity can be seen in beliefs, religions, lifestyles, and languages. It appears at the individual, community, or national level.
What are the potential positive outcomes of diversity?
Diversity can be a source of strength. It encourages mutual influence, personal growth, innovation, and social progress when approached respectfully.
What does the author mean by "living together requires effort"?
It means that coexistence demands open-mindedness, breaking down barriers, accepting new perspectives, and working actively to build inclusive relationships.
How does the text explain the dangers of rejecting differences?
Rejecting what is unfamiliar can lead to exclusion, discrimination, or even violence and genocide in extreme cases.
What historical example is used to illustrate institutionalized division?
Apartheid in South Africa is mentioned as a political system that created racial segregation and inequality. Other examples include treatment of Native Americans and Aboriginal Australians.
How are multiculturalism and multilingualism portrayed in the text?
They are seen as strengths but also come with challenges, as they can still lead to separation and marginalization if not managed inclusively.
What role do cultural and sporting events play in fostering unity?
These events bring people together, promote shared pride, encourage community bonds, and offer a positive alternative to exclusionary systems.
Do you think diversity is more often a source of conflict or of strength in today’s world? Why?
It depends on the context. In some societies, diversity fosters innovation and cultural richness. In others, if not managed well, it can lead to social tensions due to fear, misinformation, or lack of dialogue.
Can you think of a country where peaceful coexistence between communities works well? What factors make it work?
Canada is often cited as a country promoting multiculturalism. Factors include inclusive laws, education, and public policies that respect cultural identity.
In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle to social unity today?
Possible answers: systemic inequality, racism, political polarization, lack of education on diversity, or media-driven fear of “the other.”
Is it possible to fully eliminate discrimination in modern societies? Why or why not?
Probably not entirely, because prejudice is deeply rooted, but education, laws, and awareness can greatly reduce it and promote fairness.
Do you think commemorating past injustices (like apartheid or residential schools) helps society move forward? Explain.
Yes, because remembering prevents repetition, honors victims, and opens up necessary conversations about justice and reconciliation.
How can young people contribute to building inclusive communities?
By challenging stereotypes, participating in intercultural projects, promoting respectful dialogue, and using social media to share inclusive messages.
How do sports or music help create a sense of belonging? Give real-life examples if possible.
They bring people together regardless of background. Example: the Olympics or international music festivals like Glastonbury or WOMAD promote unity through shared experiences.
“Sharing experience encourages innovation.” Do you agree? Can you think of a field (education, science, culture…) where this is especially true?
Yes. In science, collaboration across cultures brings new perspectives and faster discoveries. In education, diverse classrooms foster creativity and problem-solving.
Listen to Oxley run through some of the questions and answers.
Let's move on to a new document.
THE ATTACKS OF JULY 2005
Definition: A series of coordinated suicide bombings targeting London’s public transport system during the morning rush hour.
Origins: Four British-born men with links to Islamist extremism detonated explosives on three Underground trains and one bus. The attacks were claimed to be in response to the UK’s involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Consequences: 52 civilians and the four bombers were killed, and over 700 people were injured. It marked the deadliest terrorist attack in the UK since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PUBLIC RESILIENCE
Definition: The rapid mobilisation of emergency services and the solidarity shown by Londoners in the aftermath.
Origins: Police, firefighters, ambulance crews, and ordinary citizens worked together to evacuate victims and secure the city, despite the chaos and fear of further attacks.
Consequences: The response was widely praised and became a symbol of London’s resilience, leading to improved emergency planning, new protocols for multi-agency coordination, and stronger public awareness campaigns.
SECURITY, SURVEILLANCE AND SOCIAL IMPACT
Definition: The long-term changes in UK security policy and public attitudes following the bombings.
Origins: The attacks exposed vulnerabilities in the transport network and the threat from “homegrown” terrorism.
Consequences: Led to increased CCTV use, more robust counterterrorism laws, expanded surveillance powers, and a shift in public debate about security, civil liberties, and community integration.
0.00 Fly over London
17.08 Rural England > Industrial Revolution
34.14 James Bond & the Queen
40.00 Army and Navy bring on British flag
45.22 Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells + Hommage the National Health Service
56.31 Vangelis vs Mr Bean
1.01.00 💡 An inclusive vision of Modern Britain LINK
3.49.00 ❤️ Paul Mcartney sings the Beatles' Hey Jude
Okay. Same subejct, new document. Here's an article from the Guardian from July 2025.
Now you can listen to the article being read aloud.
Here are the questions we'll be using to check understanding.
When did the 7/7 bombings take place, and how many people were killed and injured?
What was Ken Livingstone’s official position at the time of the attacks, and how did he respond publicly?
Where did the youngest bomber detonate his device, and how many people died in that incident?
Why does the author highlight the diversity of London in response to the 7/7 attacks?
How does the article contrast Ken Livingstone’s leadership in 2005 with contemporary political attitudes?
Why does Hugh Muir describe the attackers’ goal as an attempt to divide Londoners, and how was that resisted?
In your opinion, what role should political leaders play during national tragedies?
If a similar attack happened today, how do you think politicians and media would respond differently?
Do you agree with Livingstone’s idea that diversity is a strength, not a weakness? Why or why not?
What responsibilities do ordinary citizens have in resisting division and promoting unity in diverse societies?
Okay. So, same subject, but let's talk about cinema.
Here's the question we'll be debating in class.
Now let's see how your these documents and your hard work can come together in a BAC style question.
SUJET STYLE BAC
Le sujet porte sur la thématique Faire Société
Partie 1 (16pts)
Prenez connaissance des documents A, B, C, D et traitez le sujet suivant en anglais en environ 500 mots.
Taking into account their specificities, explain what the documents A, B, C and D reveal about the importance, difficulties and possibilities associated with unity and diversity in modern London.
Partie 2 (4pts)
Traduisez en français le passage suivant de l'article du Guardian.
(L'enseignant va proposer un extrait pour traduction).
Directed by: Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim
Released: 2019
Genre: Documentary (Netflix)
Main themes: Data privacy, democracy, surveillance capitalism, manipulation, and responsibility in the digital age.
The Great Hack explores how personal data became the most valuable resource on earth — and how it has been weaponised. The film focuses on the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which millions of Facebook users’ data were harvested without consent to build psychological profiles and target voters with personalised political advertising.
Through interviews, testimonies, and real-world examples, the documentary reveals how digital traces — likes, clicks, shares — can be used to predict and influence behaviour on a massive scale.
Brittany Kaiser: Former Cambridge Analytica executive who becomes a whistleblower, exposing how the company used data to sway elections such as Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Brexit referendum.
David Carroll: Media professor who fights to reclaim his personal data from Cambridge Analytica, testing the limits of privacy law.
Carole Cadwalladr: The Observer journalist who uncovered much of the scandal through investigative reporting.
The film follows their journeys as they uncover the mechanics and consequences of data manipulation — not only for individuals, but for democratic societies worldwide.
Data ownership: Who truly controls our digital identities?
Consent: Can we ever give “informed” consent online?
Manipulation: How does targeted information shape beliefs and votes?
Accountability: Who should be responsible — the companies, governments, or users?
Democracy: What happens when technology influences political will?
The documentary aims to raise awareness of how personal data has been turned into a political weapon. It encourages viewers to rethink privacy, media consumption, and the meaning of free choice in the digital era.
The Great Hack is a 2019 Netflix documentary directed by Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim. It examines how personal data — once seen as harmless information — has become the most valuable and dangerous resource of the modern world. The film focuses on the Cambridge Analytica scandal, one of the biggest political and ethical crises in the history of the internet.
At the heart of the story lies the discovery that Cambridge Analytica, a British data analytics company, secretly collected and used the personal data of over 87 million Facebook users without their consent. This data was used to build detailed psychological profiles of individuals, allowing the company to target them with personalised political advertising. These micro-targeted campaigns played a role in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election and the UK’s Brexit referendum, raising urgent questions about the integrity of democracy in the digital age.
The documentary follows three main figures who represent different sides of this complex story.
Brittany Kaiser, a former Cambridge Analytica executive, becomes a whistleblower after witnessing how data-driven propaganda was used to manipulate voters. Once part of the system, she later exposes the techniques the company used to turn people’s fears and beliefs into powerful political tools. Her testimony reveals how big data and behavioural psychology were combined to influence opinions and control narratives on a massive scale.
David Carroll, a media professor from New York, serves as the voice of the everyday citizen. Shocked to discover how much data companies hold about him, he launches a legal campaign to reclaim his personal information from Cambridge Analytica under UK data protection law. His struggle highlights how difficult it is for individuals to know — let alone control — what companies do with their digital traces.
Carole Cadwalladr, an investigative journalist from The Observer, provides the link between corporate secrecy and public accountability. Her reporting was instrumental in exposing the Cambridge Analytica story and its political connections. Through her perspective, the film shows how journalists and citizens can still challenge powerful institutions and demand transparency.
Throughout the film, the directors use striking visuals to represent data as invisible particles flowing around us — constant, unstoppable, and silently shaping our world. Every click, like, and share becomes a trace that can be collected, analysed, and sold. The message is clear: our data is no longer just information — it is identity, power, and influence.
The Great Hack raises fundamental questions: Who owns our data? Can democracy survive when information is weaponised? Is the problem technology itself, or the lack of ethical regulation and awareness?
Rather than blaming a single company, the film argues that the real issue lies in a system where technology outpaces moral and legal frameworks. It calls for greater digital literacy, transparency, and education, suggesting that awareness is the first step toward regaining control.
Ultimately, The Great Hack warns that the manipulation of data is the manipulation of people — and that protecting our privacy is now essential to protecting democracy itself.
How to prepare the debate ?
This is not normal. It’s antidemocratic. It is legal. It is a rich few moulding and deciding the will of entire populations.
Legal or not, manipulating voters destroys democracy from within.
A handful of data firms can now influence entire elections — that’s terrifying.
Consent doesn’t mean understanding; people didn’t know what they agreed to.
Data exploitation turns citizens into products, not participants.
Technology has created a new kind of political elite — invisible and unaccountable.
When algorithms decide what we see, freedom of thought disappears.
This is a digital dictatorship disguised as democracy.
What Cambridge Analytica is doing is not dangerous. In any case, don't share what you don't want to be exploited.
If people freely give away their data, they can’t complain when it’s used.
Online manipulation only works on those who allow themselves to be influenced.
Data collection fuels innovation — it’s the price we pay for free services.
Companies have always used marketing to persuade; this is just the digital version.
Personal responsibility matters more than blaming technology.
If you post your life online, you consent to being targeted.
The problem isn’t Cambridge Analytica — it’s users’ lack of self-control.
This happens. It will always happen. The only solution is awareness and education.
Every new medium — radio, TV, internet — has been used to manipulate; this is no different.
Banning companies won’t fix human nature; teaching critical thinking might.
We can’t stop persuasion, but we can learn to recognise it.
Education must include digital literacy and ethical awareness.
Instead of fearing data, we should understand how it works.
Transparency and informed citizens are stronger defences than censorship.
Awareness doesn’t stop influence, but it reduces its power.
I completely agree.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Without a doubt, I agree.
That’s exactly how I see it.
I couldn't agree more.
I’m on the same page.
I totally see your point.
I’m inclined to agree.
I fully support your view.
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
Absolutely, I’m with you on that.
I think you're spot on with that.
I see where you're coming from, and I agree.
You make a fair point there.
I hadn’t thought about it that way before, but I see your point.
That’s a fair argument, I can't deny it.
I can see how you might think that.
You’ve made a strong case for that.
I acknowledge your perspective.
I understand why you'd say that.
I hear you, but…
I’m afraid I can’t agree with that.
I see things differently.
I have to disagree with you on this.
I don’t share the same view.
I beg to differ.
I don’t think that’s the case.
I’m not sure I can agree with that.
That’s not quite how I see it.
With all due respect, I disagree.
I see your point, but I can't agree.
I’m not convinced by that argument.
I’m afraid I have to take a different stance.
I agree up to a certain point, but…
I can see where you’re coming from, though…
I understand your argument, but I think there's another angle.
That’s a valid point, however…
I get your perspective, but I still believe…
I can see your logic, but…
I agree with some parts, but not entirely.
While I agree with most of what you’ve said, I have reservations about…
I see your point, but there are some caveats.
I understand, though I might differ in the details.
Christmas was not always the major, family-centred celebration we know today.
From the article
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Christmas was:
Less important than Easter in the Christian calendar
Unevenly celebrated
Stronger in rural areas than in cities
Industrialisation reduced time off for workers
Many traditions were fading or fragmented
Teaching angle
Ask students:
If Christmas was not central, how could one writer influence it so strongly?
Context matters
Charles Dickens grew up poor
Worked in a factory as a child
Remained committed to social reform
Core belief
Christmas should be:
A moment of generosity
A time when the rich acknowledge the poor
Social rather than strictly religious
Classroom link
This is not nostalgia only. It is moral storytelling with a purpose.
Dickens did not invent Christmas from nothing. He selected, reshaped, and broadcast traditions through popular fiction.
Example: The Ghost of Christmas Present
Appears in A Christmas Carol
Green robe, holly wreath, fur trim
Close to:
Father Christmas
The Green Man from older British folklore
Why this matters
Readers now had a shared mental image
Literature created visual consistency
The Cratchits
Eat goose, not turkey
Emphasis on:
Shared meals
Warmth
Modest abundance
Later evolution
Turkey becomes standard much later
Dickens fixes the idea of a festive family meal, not the exact menu
Important detail from the article
Dickens wrote during the Little Ice Age
Winters were colder than today
Heavy snow was plausible
Result
Christmas becomes:
White
Cold
Candlelit
This becomes cultural memory, not meteorology
Teaching prompt
Ask students why we still expect snow in Christmas films despite modern winters.
Dickens wrote for:
The urban middle class
Readers who bought serial fiction
Families reading aloud
What he changed
Christmas becomes:
Emotional
Family-centred
Focused on generosity and redemption
Religion moves into the background
Moral lessons come forward
Each Christmas novella teaches something:
Kindness matters
Money without compassion is empty
People can change
The article reminds us that Dickens did not work in isolation.
Transatlantic influence
Dickens admired Washington Irving
Irving had already shaped Christmas imagery in the USA
Dickens adapts and re-exports these ideas back into British culture
Key insight for students
Culture circulates. It is rarely one-way.
“Dickensian” does not mean only misery
The article pushes back against this stereotype.
In Dickens
Hardship exists
But Christmas scenes emphasise:
Joy
Feasting
Charity
Human connection
Even bleak settings are paired with moral warmth.