A Christmas Caol - Themes Flashcards
(7 cards)
How is poverty presented?
“ if they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population” reveals how Scrooge thinks that the poor are a burden to society and he believes in Malthusian’s theory which so did the Victorian rich and dickens wanted them to become sympathetic towards the poor. In the Victorian era there was a lack of mobility.
“Are there no prisons? … are there no workhouses?” the rhetorical questions reflect how there was no suitable support and the suffering is caused by society and the ignorance of those in power. Dickens is sympathetic of the poor as he’s had personal experiences of poverty. Links to Malthusians economic theory, as the poor are to blame for their own struggles
Scrooge is representing the Victorian rich and the Cratchits are representing the working poor - teaching rich to be less selfish, Dickens grew up in poverty with his dad in and out of debt prison
How is isolation presented?
“ Took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy Tavern” this descriptive sentence reflects Scrooge as a person of habit and routine. The repetition of “melancholy” emphasises the sadness and loneliness in his life. Scrooge‘s surroundings of darkness, sadness and loneliness reflects his inner emotional state.
“ Nobody ever stopped him in the streets” -> “ will you let me in Fred?” Dickens presented isolation to be changeable as that is what he wanted his reader to realise, that ‘it is never too late to change’. The two quotes are showing how Scrooge has come out of his isolation and is wanting to interact with other, especially his family.
“As solitary as an oyster” the simile shows he is a misanthropic person who is hidden away and closed off from the world considering oysters are at the bottom of the ocean, far away from everything else, with a hard shell protecting it. This comparison highlights Scrooge’s detachment from others emphasised by the fact it was written during Christmas which is a holiday which brings people together.
How is greed presented?
“ squeezing, wrenching” vividly describes Scrooges physical and emotional tightness. These adjectives convey the sense of holding onto something harshly, reflecting the idea of Scrooge being unwilling to give and be charitable to others. The intensity of these adjectives imply strong feelings of needing to retain possession, Scrooge has a fear of losing his valuables/money as he attached and unwilling to let them go.
“ I wear the chain I forged in life” implies Marley is now carrying the burden oh his own greed and selfishness in his afterlife. This is a clear message to Scrooge, who is on a similar path, that he risks the same fate unless he changed his ways. Through this Dickens is also trying to warn his rich and educated readers of how they need to change and help the poor.
“Clerks fire was so very much smaller“ suggest how people in poverty get no empathy from the rich and emphasises the theme of social inequality which Dickens wanted to show his readers. The fact that Scrooge is making Bob Cratchits fire so much smaller could be due to how Scrooge is jealous of what warmth Bob has in his life from family even though he’s in poverty, and Scrooge is wealthy but so cold. This reflects the idea of how the Victorian rich was so greedy they didn’t want to help the suffering.
“ no beggars brought him to bestow a trifle” illustrates Scrooges uncaring nature to the suffering of others. “Trifle” refers to a small amount of money, showing Scrooge is unwilling to give even the smallest amount to charity, highlighting his lack of empathy and care for the well-being of others. It also shows us his emotional detachment from the needs of the less fortunate.
How is family presented?
“Slow potatoes bubbling up, knocked loudly at the saucepan-lid to be let out and peeled” illustrates a picture of business in the household and how even the potatoes are eager to be apart of the meal, emphasising the families cheerfulness and appreciation to simple pleasures. The personification “knocked loudly” suggests a sense of urgency and desire to be free, mirroring the Cratchits struggles. The use of “slow” highlights the family’s persistence despite their limited resources.
“They were not a handsome family… but they were happy, greatfull, pleased with one another” portrays them to not be wealthy and have material possessions but the have the unity of family and togetherness which is all that is needed, Dickens contrasted the Cratchits with Scrooge to demonstrate this and the importance of appreciating what they have rather than wanting more. The Cratchits have emotional wealth, not material wealth which is what makes them joyful, whereas Scrooge has material wealth and not emotional wealth revealing that’s why he is so miserable.
“Danced, “rejoiced”, screaming” - Cratchits represent important of family as these adjectives revealed the Cratchits overwhelming joy and excitement, and they’re able to find these emotions in what they have, highlighting their love and unity as a family. Even in poverty they can still experience moments of joy with enthusiasm from their sense of togetherness.
How was Christmas presented?
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try keep it all year” demonstrates Scrooges commitment to keeping the values of Christmas - generosity and kindness. The Christmas season highlights struggled of poverty which was one of Dickens’ messages through his allegorical novella.
Christmas spirit contrasts to Scrooges misery “I will not shut out the lessons that they teach” and Christmas can defeat that as Christmas is a time for caring and being kind. Christmas is a time for reflection and redemption.
How is redemption presented?
“ I will live in the past, the present, and the future” Scrooges declaration shows he is willing to embrace the lessons he has learnt . By committing to live in the three tenses, Scrooge acknowledges that he must take responsibility for his past, live morally in the present, and change for his future. He has started to take responsibility as his actions also impact others. “Live” implies he will no longer he cold-hearted and he will become more joyful and have relationships with others.
“ walking with his hands behind him” this shows Scrooge is now open to opening his heart and being vulnerable, as well as his generosity and willingness to connect with others. This shows he’s not only emotionally transformed but he’s also physically transformed making him look more approachable and welcoming towards others, he is willing to show off his transformation.
“ as merry as a schoolboy” reflects the idea that Scrooge is now experience what he hadn’t before, he is experiencing a kind of emotional rebirth. “Schoolboy” suggests ideas of happiness and enthusiasm which could be what Scrooge is now experiencing due to his change in ways, implies Scrooge has now rediscovered the simple pleasures in life and no longer tied to money snd material products. Scrooge has now left behind his past of when he was a schoolboy and isolated, instead he is now embracing the happiness of the Christmas spirit.
At the start, the skies foggy and at the end the sky is clear, the pathetic fallacy is suggesting Scrooge is now more open to learn new things as he isn’t closed off in his own mind. The fog at the start symbolises how Scrooge was clouded by greed and isolation, however he is now open and understanding to others. This reflects his emotional awakening and how his overcome his old ways, he now sees the world in a new way with a better future ahead.
Stave 1 “ nobody ever stopped him in the streets” to stave 5 “ a Merry Christmas to you!” Highlights Scrooges transformation of him being avoided and isolated to someone who is kind and socially engaged with the world. This transformation could be connected to how the novella was set during Christmas, which encourages the spirit of Christmas which Dickens believe brings people closer. The exclamation from Scrooge and stage five implies Scrooges emotional transformation as he now has enthusiasm, genuine joy and excitement to talk to others and be more open. Dickens had Scrooge change in these ways in order to encourage his wealthy and educated readers to reflect on their own views and actions and whether they need to change their own and society’s benefits as well.
The use of ‘staves’ and the tile ‘a Christmas carol’ suggests that this novel, like a ‘carol’, was meant to be listened to and enjoyed by groups of people. As reading aloud with friends and family I the Victorian era was more common.
How is supernatural presented?
“I wear the chain I forged in life” is a warning and clear message to Scrooge, that if he risks the same fate unless he changes his ways. Marleys earthly attachment to the items which make up his chain such as “cash boxes, keys” are symbols of greed which is why after his death he can’t have a peaceful afterlife. Through this Dickens is also trying to warn his educated and rich readers that they need to change and help the poor.
“If he’s like to die, he better do it a decrease the surplus population” the repetition of Scrooges words shows the ghost is trying to reveal to Scrooge his cold and selfish mindset towards the suffering, Dickens is also trying to emphasise the harshness of Scrooges perspective of society - Scrooge representative of the Victorian rich - the phrase spoken also links to the Malthusian theory, which Dickens disagreed with.
“Deep black” death is often associated with darkness. Victorian readers would have linked this ghost to the figure of the Grim Reaper. The imagery evokes darkness, mystery and death which represents the unknown of Scrooges terrifying future and the consequences. The darkness contrasts with the more luminous and visible appearance of the other ghosts, creating a sense of urgency and seriousness for Scrooge to change and having an impending doom. The representation of death represents Scrooges potential future if it’s not changed will lead to an isolated and un cared for death.
“Crown of its head” demonstrates that the ghost of Christmas past is higher up and has authority over Scrooge and it has a role in guiding Scrooge down the right path and understanding redemption, they are showing that the ghost is strong and wise and its purpose is helping Scrooge change.
“Bright clear jet of light” portrays light which contrasts to Scrooge, suggesting that the ghost is trying to help Scrooge see things clearly about his past actions offering him a chance to reflect and change, its purpose is not to punish Scrooge but to guide him through the darkness and enlighten him. It also suggests a sense of higher authority giving an idea that the spirit is acting in service of greater good. It could also imply ideas of giving Scrooge a bright future ahead of him.
