Williams, J. L. Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle. 1848, print of wood engraving, Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/96522234/.
This photo depicting Queen Victoria and her family around a Christmas tree in 1850 holds a time-honored meaning for the history of not only European but also American holiday tradition. In studying this print, students can evaluate where one of the pivotal pieces of the traditional holiday celebration came to be. In turn, this exploration can expand into a discussion and study of how other pieces of tradition become a focus of family celebration. This piece also opens an opportunity to teach students how to annotate an image as distinct from a written piece.
This print depicts the royal family around a Christmas tree in an oval image shape with borders showing winter scenes and the fruits and animals of a bountiful harvest.
- The Christmas tree is a product of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert.
Prince Albert brought the tree from Germany. - The queen and the prince lit the candles and put the gingerbread decorations on the tree, which was brought into the castle, and the children were even welcomed to help.
- The tradition gained widespread popularity across England after the Queen embraced it, and it ultimately became a cherished custom for many.
- The prince would even share the tradition with children and soldiers by sending decorated trees to schools and barracks.
- The tree was decorated with real candles and fake snow.
- Several watercolor paintings, as well as engravings, still exist of the beautiful Christmas tree and the family scene created around it at Windsor Castle from 1848.
- What themes emerge when we examine Scrooge's contempt for Christmas in relation to our study of Queen Victoria and her iconic representation of the Christmas tree?
- Can the symbolism embedded in the image from Windsor Castle be applied to Scrooge, illuminating his eventual transformation and newfound appreciation for family?
Kansas Standards for English Language Arts:
RL.9-10.7 Analyze and evaluate the representation of a subject or a key scene in multiple mediums—including media, artistic and other visual formats.
- Students will view the print of Queen Victoria and annotate for symbolism as well as themes that could apply to other fiction (or nonfiction) texts they are reading.
RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development; provide an objective summary of the text.
- Though this primary source is an image rather than a verbal text, students will be looking to identify a major theme so that they can compare it with the literature they are analyzing at the time.
W.9-10.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- As students connect similar themes and symbols from the image to the text they are analyzing, they will begin to make a claim and form a thesis. In turn, they will need to gather evidence from the image and the text in order to write a solid response with support.
SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- Students will spend extended time in small groups discussing the image and their findings. These discussions will then be held in a larger group so that students know they are on the right track and have plenty of material on the basis of which to write their claims.
- Begin by having students analyze a large photocopy of the image in table groups. Have them use markers to write their first thoughts around the edges of the picture. Encourage them to write whatever comes to mind as they brainstorm.
- Once students have had a chance to brainstorm, project the image on the whiteboard and have groups come up and put their thoughts on the large image to share with the class.
- After this whole-group discussion, give students background information on Queen Victoria and the history of the Christmas tree.
- Now that students have background knowledge, as an independent activity or homework, have students annotate their own copy of the image. Provide a rubric of expectations.
- Upon returning to class, guide students in forming their claim or thesis for comparing the image to the literature. For instance, how does the family tradition in the print from the Library of Congress connect to the lack of family tradition that Scrooge experiences in A Christmas Carol?
- Have students begin to pull evidence from the image and from the literature to defend their claim or thesis.
- To further this assignment, have students look for images in the Library of Congress that would represent something their own family celebrates. Ask them to determine the symbolic meaning they can find in these images and to consider the historical aspect of the event.
Challenges could arise based on the Christmas tree being a symbol of a Christian celebration. If this is an issue, utilize one of the alternative assignments that allows students to do the same assignment with an image from a different background.
- For Jewish students, have them do the same assignment with this menorah print from the same time period. This approach could also be taken with students who want to study a different image or a different faith.
- Another excellent alternative would be this illustration of the Three Kings. Three Kings Day is celebrated by many families, and this picture would provide an opportunity for image annotation similar to that of the original assignment. Some communities in Mexico and Central America do not celebrate Christmas to the extent of the primary source, and they celebrate it differently, but many place more emphasis on celebrating Three Kings Day.
- Mary Evans Picture Library
- This resource provides a timeline of the history of the Christmas tree.
- Town & Country Article
- This is a short article about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their tradition of decorating the tree.
- Royal Collection Trust
- Color prints of the royal tree from 1850 can be found here.
- Annotating Images Princeton
- This resource has links to rubrics and other platforms for annotating images.