A Christmas Carol Flashcards
(19 cards)
How is Scrooge presented in the beginning of the play?
Scrooge is presented as a miser and an avaricious character who hordes his wealth and hopes for the suffering of the poor.
Key quotes
Are there no prisons? And the union workhouses
1834 poor laws limited a poor person’s ability to ask for a pay rise at all, views poverty as a crime and something deserving punishment or to be disciplined. Workhouse conditions were abhorrent and for Scrooge to wish they attend instead of living in the world shows shortsightedness.
They better do it to decrease the surplus population
-Wishes that they die instead of living a life of poverty,
-Scrooge doesn’t view a life which doesn’t include being wealthy.
-Scrooge is shortsighted as he requires the poor for his role as a loan officer so without the poor he has no job, subsequently becoming poor
-“they” Shows inhumanity and how Scrooge doesn’t see the poor as people or individuals instead it’s a collective issue.
-links to the Thomas Malthus Theory that there isn’t enough food to survive the growing population and some must die for us to survive.
“I support the establishments I have already mentioned”
-shows that he doesn’t believe he must repeat his point to the charity workers, Their social worth is lower than his own.
-shows his point is a self explanatory point and that it’s abnormal to doubt it.
Key vocabulary
Parsimonious
-Stingy/holding greed
Misanthropic
-Anti-Social/ remains to himself
Ostracized
-isolated
Archetypal villain
-symbolic villain to be alone and shelter away
How is Scrooge presented in the end of the novella?
Over View
Scrooge is presented at the end of the novella as being redeemed and changed by the visions of his dark future, he is seen to have understood the message from the 3 ghosts and is willing to make the changes that are needed to live a better life.
Dickens Message
Dickens hopes to share the idea that all can change even the most “solitary” and “miser[ly]” characters can make a change for the better. Scrooge is purposefully shown as jovial towards the end as it allows the reader to feel the power of the change, dickens intends to create no correlation between the old and new scrooge making it seem like a new character has been born from a dead one.
Key Quotes
“Merry as a School Boy” and “quite a baby”
- Scrooges infantile language shows the idea that his character has been reborn into a child form and is able to live his life again,
- Connotations of innocence’s and is showing how through him he able to repent for his sins and be reborn into a better person
- Idea of being reborn is salient in Christianity showing a strong personal and emotional connection with God.
- Could also be used as Jesus was reborn from the dead to provide salvation his rebirth will provide salivation to the world.
“He went to church, and walked about the streets”
- Words ordered in a way to highlight how it was crucial that he visited a religious prior to wondering the streets
- Highlights the large scale religion has had on scrooge and how his belief is that it is a miracle he has transformed
- Idea of church being visited on Christmas was common however not for scrooge, shows his ability to abide by Christian and social norms on Christmas and his change to address and understand them.
” Ill send it to Bob Cratchits”
- Symbolic of social reform and his transmogrification in attitudes to the poor and his want to help them.
- He wishes to make amends for his actions he had lived in his past life and the life of not caring and being greedy with his cash.
- Also suggests how he is willing to help the Cratchit’s with nothing but the best and is a symbol of what other upper class members should be doing.
Conclusion
- In conclusion we see a complete overhaul in the treatment of the poor, the position scrooge holds related to social norms and his overall care for society as a whole.
15 Key Words
15 Key words related to a Christmas Carol
Word One: Altruism
Definition :
- Putting others’ needs before your own
Example : Scrooge learns the value of altruism
Word Two: Parsimonious
Definition :
- Unwilling to spend money or resources
Example :
- Scrooge in the beginning is Parsimonious as he will not donate to charity
Word Three: Political Diatribe
Definition :
- A strong criticism of pollical ideas or beliefs
Example :
- A Political diatribe against the poor Laws and the the workhouses
Word Four: Apathetic
Definition :
- Showing no Interest or care
Example :
- Scrooge is Apathetic towards the struggle of the poor in the beginning
Word Five: Remorseless
Definition :
- To not feel any sorry for doing something wrong. Claiming no guilt
Example :
- Scrooge is remorseless at the start, indifferent to the suffering of the poor
Word Six: Prolepsis
Definition :
- Hinting at something or showing future events
Example :
- Ghost of Christmas yet to come is a Prolepsis of scrooges lonely death to come
Word Seven: Covetous
Definition :
- Having a strong desire for wealth or possessions
Example :
- Scrooges covetous nature isolates him from others
Word Eight: Transmogrification
Definition :
- Complete or dramatic change
Example :
- Scrooge makes a transmogrification change throughout the play
Word Nine: Anti-Malthusian
Definition :
- Rejecting the idea that the population growth leads to poverty
Example :
- Dickens hold heavy, anti-Malthusian views as compassion can address poverty
Word Ten: Scrupulous
Definition :
- Having or lacking moral principles
Example :
- Scrooges unscrupulous treatment of bob cratchit reflects his lack of morals
Word Eleven: Magnanimous
Definition :
- Very Generous
Example :
- Scrooge changes to become magnanimous in the end of the play
Word Twelve: Didactic
Definition :
- designed to teach a moral lesson
Example :
- Dickens creates a didactic play to support compassion
Word Thirteen: Misanthropic
Definition :
- Disliking or avoiding other people
Example :
- Scrooge in the beginning is misanthropic of society
Word Fourteen: Phantasmal
Definition :
- Relating to or resembling a ghost
Example :
- Bob Marley and the 3 other ghosts
Word Fifteen: Dramatic vehicle
Definition :
- A technique or character used to communicate an idea
Example :
- Ghost is a dramatic vehicle to deliver dickens message of compassion
Context
5 Contextual ideas to use in Essays
Context One: Industrial Revolution
- Shift from farming to factories, creating jobs and boosting production but lead to pollution, child labor and harsh conditions
Dickens address the expiatory schemes of industrial England and the ideas that the poor were neglected by the rich for personal goal and the idea that compassion was being lost.
Bob Cratchit is effected the most as he is exploited by scrooge into working for a low wage
Context Two : Charles Dickens
- Dickens, once poor used a Christmas carol to expose the exploitation of children and the poor, its inspired by a report on child labour.
- Dickens own experience of the poor and the neglect of society for working and the ideas that change was bringing is used to emphasis the drastic change we need.
Context Three: Thomas Malthus
- Economist who argued population growth led to inevitable poverty and starvation due to food shortages
- Ideas of a surplus population as clear and voiced through the early scrooge who is the antagonist suggesting that Malthus is an enemy of Dickens
Context Four : Poor Laws
- Introduced workhouses where the poor were exploited and punished for being poor, high mortality rates.
- Made it so it was illegal to ask for a pay rise which would be going against what Bob asks scrooge for.
Context Five : Victorian Mortality
- In Victorian times moriatility was rooted in religion with redemption tied to confessing ands avoiding the seven deadly sins.
- Conflicts with the innocence’s of tiny Tim who has not yet sinned but is punished by his immanent death
Character of Scrooge
Dickens Intentions
Dickens intends to construct scrooge at the beginning as a character that is purely irredeemable and someone who cannot be saved. He is supposed to appear as the antagonist and build dislike by the audience for his miserly and covetous ways. Throughout the 5 acts of the Novella, we learn about his past, present and future if he continues his ways. Throughout Dickens shows us the route of redemption by suggesting we need to address the issue, accept the flaws and be a better person as a result. In the final act we see a different scrooge who is completely different to the scrooge of before suggesting a societal change is possible if we work hard enough.
Key quotes
“Squeezing, Wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”
- Stave 1
Themes
- Selfishness/Materialism, Social Injustice and Religion
-This Asyndetic listing highlights the selfish and avaricious character, It portrays Scrooge’s Amoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant “sinner”
- The use of the 7 negative adjectives mirrors how there are 7 deadly sins, known as Cardinal sins, where were seen in the bible as the root of all evil. As the foundations of the Victorian morality was religion, the parallels between Scrooge and the sins are used by Dickens to highlight how the rich sin in society
- The verbs “squeezing” and “wrenching” suggest a struggle, this illustrates how Scrooge struggles to see the detrimental consequences of his stinginess and this, his role in perpetuating social inequality
- The link too the 7 deadly sins shows how his character is truly beyond a point of saving as 1 sin was normally profaned neverminded all 7
“He seized the extinguisher-cap and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head”
- Stave 2
Themes
- Supernatural and Redemption
- Aggressive verb “pressed” combined with rapid adverb “sudden”, delves into scrooges immersion in deeply suppressed emotions.
- He reacts irrationally out of sheer panic, Anticipating the prospects of confronting these stifled memories of his past.
- This delicate figure severs as more of a symbol to Scrooge’s past; it symbolizes the supernatural intervention necessary for Scrooge’s spiritual awakening.
- He wants to place the restrictive “cap” upon its head in a futile attempt to avoid the necessity of controfonting his own humanity and the repercussions of his actions.
- The ghost is presented with iridescent imagery as it has a “bright clear jet of light”. This symbolism suggests that the ghost aspires to illuminate both the literal and metaphorical darkness in Scrooge’s past through revelation and reflection
- This ghost illuminates the past memories of Scrooge possibly shedding light on the darker times which have shaped the scrooge the audience knows, This is done to suggest a humanity in relation to Scrooge and that his past has influenced his future.
- First time we see scrooge’s emotions come to the forefront of the Novella, suggests a deeper level of emotion and humanity that we will explore throughout
- Passes Dickens message that we can change once we accept and reflect of our past.
**“yellow” “wolfish” “scowling” **
- Act 3
Themes
- Social Injustice, Selfishness and Regret/Redemption
- Ignorance and want are characters aimed to highlight the unjustified abuse of the innocent children as a result of the callous and apathetic attitudes of the upper classes
- The colour yellow serves as a stark reminder of the physical sickness and malnutrition endured by the neglected children, a consequence of the societal neglect of the poor.
- The encounter between Scrooge and the children illuminates that their poverty and suffering are directly caused y the affluent members of society.
- There animalistic views and ways of living are a clear opinion severed by the rich as to the reasons for their neglect, following the idea that they are like animals and should be treated in such a way as animals would be
- Shows how the rich viewed the poor classes, and how in reality the poor classes views and ways were due to the lack of support.
- “ignorance” and “want” being clear traits of the upper class alternatively suggesting that they are not constructs of the poor instead the traits that are growing in the poor because of the rich
- In act 3 he is also seen as trying to reverse his actions based on the youth, so the ghost of present showing another of image of children suggests the idea that the youth are the only reason we will see a change
**” I will live in the past, the present and the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me” **
- Stave 4
Themes
- Supernatural, Religion, Regret/redemption and Selfishness
- Religious allusions the concept of their being three shows a strong consideration to the holy trinity suggesting that the miracle of change was acted by a god
- Alternatively, it could be Dickens way of speaking about the ghosts as completing a religious task to redeem the most irredeemable
- When he speaks of them striving “within me”, it signifies his internalization of their moral teachings and his desperation to be given the opportunity to embark on the path of salvation and redemption
- The juxtaposition between past present and future, shows a clear ability to change and be different from the next suggesting that he will not only continue to grow and be a better version of what he once was but also that he will follow the messages that he has learnt during his meeting with each one of the ghosts
- The passage of time is emphasized as while he only saw one night he is able to allude to the future and what the future holds if he is NOT to change his way of life
“Quite a baby” “Merry as a Schoolboy”
- Stave 5
Themes
- Selfishness, Religion, Regret/Redemption and Social Justice
- Scrooges infantile self description indicates his rebirth as he brans himself as a “baby” and “schoolboy” as both are connotations of young and innocent. This shows how he is repenting for his sins that Scrooge committed
- “Schoolboy” suggests that he is willing to learn from his past way of death
- Ghost of Christmas yet to come saw scrooge die, maybe that version of scrooge dieing suggesting the rebirth in his character and ultimately his character arc
- The concept of rebirth is significant in Christianity to suggest a spiritual rebirth
- Jesus Christ was reborn suggesting that his reform is that God like he mirrors Jesus himself
- Similarly, Scrooge’s own rebirth may hold the promise of salvation for the less fortunate suggesting that he is going to spread the idea of giving, giving the power a chance to be reborn and re-exist
Character of the Ghosts
Overview
In the novella, Scrooge is visited by 4 ghost (Marley, The ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future) These 4 ghosts are used to pass the message of change and redeemability in the novella. Each ghost sees progression in scrooge and his movement to a more caring and happy lifestyle, We see also the life of those around him and how he differs and later pities them
Dickens Intentions
Dickens crafts the ghosts as Vehicles for conveying his criticisms of the ignorance and cruelty prevalent among the materialistic upper classes. The ghosts serve as Dickens mouthpieces aimed at teaching the readers of the Novella about the wrong doings and the lasting consequence they have
Marley
**“I wear the chain i forged in life… i made it link by link.” **
- Stave 1
Themes
- Selfishness/materialism, Supernatural, Religion, regret/redemption and Social injustice
- The “chain” is a symbol of the interconnecting life between the after life and the living life suggesting his distain for his own actions which have restricted him in the after life
- Marley is warning scrooge that his covetousness ways of living are the reason that he is in chains now and that his actions have had a consequence
- In his life on earth, he shunned the power while now he is trapped and shunned by the compassionate
- He serves as a warning for scrooge and the reader of the lasting impacts of their actions and how they can affect you longer term
- “I” suggests that Marley acknowledges with remorse the consequences of his own personal and selfish pursuit of material wealth.
- His warning could suggest he is now willing to give advice and guidance to those are worse off than him (scrooge)
“mankind was my business”
- Stave 1
Themes
- Selfishness/ Materialism, Social Injustice, Regret and Kindness/Family
- Economical language dominating both Marley and scrooges dialogue serves as a critique of Societies obsession’s with material wealth and the relentless pursuit of profit. Marley serves as Dickens’ first mouthpiece articulating the priority of a collective social conscience
- The syntax of mankind before business shows the development of Marley that he has changed to no longer solely suit business instead mankind precedes over money
- Marley’s spiritual and eternal punishment serves as a catalyst not only for the sole purpose of change but also for the realization that compassion should always take importance
Ghost of Christmas Past
**“it was a strange figure- like a child : yet not so like a child as like an old man” **
- stave 2
themes
- Supernatural, Kindness/family and regret/redemption
- Juxtaposition shows Scrooges position of weakness while appearing like an old man physically he is isolated and vulnerable like a child
- The ghost aims to catalyze a regression in him, prompting a return to his former compassionate self and setting him on the path of redemption
- Suggests that scrooge never really had a normal childhood experience and was somewhat the reason of what he is today
- motif of time through the expression of age and the change is time,
- Simile could suggest the likeness in scrooges childhood as to the childhood of Dickens in being neglected by his father figure
**“Bright clear jet of light” “ purest white” **
- Stave 2
Themes
- Supernatural, religion and regret/redemption
- Motif of light permeates the novella, illuminating characters such as the Ghost of Christmas past, the Ghost of Christmas present and Fred who all play a role in the transformation of Scrooge
- “light” invokes the idea of hope and radiance, symbolizing how the ghost is a beacon of knowledge and hope for scrooge.
- Suggests that if Scrooge takes the message and makes the change that he can be redeemed into a holy figure
- Purest white suggests the idea of heaven and purity from sin, could link to childhood and that he was once free from the sin of greed and materialism
- Also suggest that the ghost is their to cleanse Scrooge
Ghost of Christmas Present
“Glowing torch, in shape not unlike plenty’s horn”
- Stave 3
Themes
- Selfishness / Materialism, Social Injustice and Supernatural
- Latin suggests abundance and nourishment. This highlights a message to scrooge about the mindset causes social inequality
- Highlights that there is an abundance of resources that are barely being dripped down from the top and the social neglect is unneccarcy
- Counters Thomas Malthus views on the idea that food will be limited by the growing population
- Light is referenced again suggesting that the ghosts are providing Scrooge with new information he was yet to know
- Double negative could suggest that having too much of something is a double negative as the person who has it becomes “covetous” and “solitary” while the person who lacks it becomes desperate
“If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”
- Stave 3
Themes
- Selfishness. Materialism, Social Injustice, Regret/redemption and Kindness/family
- Ghost repeats Scrooges callous words back to him from Stave 1, empahising his neglect and ignorance towards the plight of the lower classes, through Malthusian Ideology.
- Ghost being a symbol of abundance and quality repeats back to illustrate the apathetic nature and ignorant perspectives hopefully compelling readers to confront
- The plosive vocab is littered about the sentence empahising the cruel and harsh views of the upper towards the poor
- Cause the exploitation and victimsation of the most innocent (children)
- Takes Scrooge’s words out of context reiterating the need for a Social justice reform
Ghost of Christmas Present
**“Shrouded in a deep black garment” **
- Stave 4
themes
- Supernatural, Selfishness, Regret and Religion
- Reminiscent of the Grim reaper, a symbol of death tasked with collecting souls
- The ghost creates the atmosphere of foreboding and finality, The deathly undertones server as a stark reminder of the consequences of his past
- Motif of time is referenced suggesting that Scrooges time is dwindling if he continues his ways and fails to change.
- Dark suggests that he is no longer innocents and pure like the younger self and instead holds a lot of sin which he can change
- Future foreshadows a lot of death including tiny tims suggesting that it is to warn about the true consequences
- Death is never seen, suggesting that his future is one that is yet to be seen fully as he can still change it
- Death was highly seen as the end of the passage unless you had earnt afterlife which Scrooge had not suggesting that Scrooges impending demise was the final straw needed to change his ways
“it was a worthy place… overrun by grass and weeds”.
- Stave 4
Themes
- Selfishness/ Materialism, Social Injustice and Religion
- Semantic field of decay again links to the idea that scrooge’s demise is on the cards and will be closer than he originally expected it to be
- Vitality of life is seen as he is referred to as a plant that is now decaying and leaving suggesting its purpose has been served and he has finished his duties
- Exclamative sentence serves as the punishment for his stingy and frugal actions suggesting the lasting consequence and the warning that is being forecasted for any that fail to abide by the change and redeemability that is offered
- Overrun could link to what the Rich thought was going to happen however greed and materialism overran them before the poor even tried.
Character of Mr Cratchit
Overview
Represents the hardworking, underpaid lower class in society, he follows Christian beliefs and attributes and continues to work for Scrooge under the idea that the job he has is a blessing and that he cannot take it for granted. He conveys key themes such as Christmas, family and the lower class being the only focused on mention of the lower class.
Dickens Intentions
Dickens intends to create sympathy with the reader through the Cratchits for the working class, viewing them as hardworking as well as compassionate when they get the fair shot at life. They are the only primary characters seen of the lower classes so for them to be seen as a relief in the play it suggests Dickens love/respect for the lower classes in society and his want for societal change. Dickens’ intends to showcase the Cratchits as being the Perfect epitome of the grateful working class to evoke sympathy and pity on the poorest in society.
Key quotes
“Mr Scrooge, Founder of the feast”
- Stave 3
Themes
- Christmas, Family and Love, Generosity vs Greed and Social injustice/poverty.
- The syntax suggests the generosity of Bob Cratchit as they believe that Mr Scrooge is more important than the feast he has infront of him, this suggests his respect for Scrooge isn’t just because of the job but is genuine
- Goes against the idea of the working class being greedy as they take a moment to appreciate Scrooge
- Shows the humbled mindset of Bob as although he has worked for the feast it is infact not him who should be thanked for it instead his provider
- Shows the gratitude that can be seen if they take the moment to care for the poorest in society
- “the feast” suggests that this is no small deal for the Cratchits so reinforces this idea of Christmas being a big occasion for many in society.
- Theme of rich vs poor seen as the poor which scrooge treats poorly speaks about him positively while his family speak negatively, suggests the message that the poor are grateful for the opportunity
“my little, little child!”
- Stave 4
Themes
- Death, Family and Love, Social injustice/poverty and Family
- ”!” Emphasizes the true pain of what Bob is feeling as the truly deep effects this is having on him suggests his undivided love for his son
- Grieving the loss of his child, used to exaggerate the quickness that Scrooge/ Society needs to change so that more children are not lost
- Shows the overwhelming grief that bob feels because of the loss of his son, suggesting that the unfair treatment of children in society has a deep effects
- Repetition of little, is used to suggest the true unfortunate circumstances of Tiny tims passing as he is so little
- “little” could also refer to how in the upper class the people below them were little but they mean so much, like the love from Bob to Tim
- “Child” purposefully shows his parental love, something that Scrooge lives without showing that while scrooge did not have it he still knows and is impacted by it
“Its only once a year sir.”
- Stave 1
Themes
- Social Class, Christmas and Social Injustice
- Shows how the Christmas spirit is very important to the Cratchits and how he would like a day of as such
- Modern and readers of the time are accustom to having Christmas off, so for him having to ask suggests the neglect that is facing the poorest in society.
- “sir” reaffirms to social class and how Scrooge is the character who holds the power of the Cratchits, suggests that even during such a long time working together no bond has been made between the pair
- “only” suggests the importance of Christmas to them and the fact that this is more important than any other holiday as its “only” this one he wants off.
- Idea of time and the Christmas spirit being only limited, could suggest how Scrooges time to enjoy the Christmas spirit is also limited due to his miserly ways.
Character of Tiny Tim
Overview
While tiny Tim plays a small role in the play actually speaking, its through him the key expression of the poor are seen and the lowest in society. Through his character depiction we witness a character who would be neglected by the Capatlist ideas and through the Dickens he is vocalized as still caring for all. Key themes such as social injustice, family and Christmas come through Tiny Tim. He can be seen as the final piece of evidence scrooge needed to change knowing his death was imminent
Dickens intentions
Dickens intentions are to use the ideals of the capitalist and put a name an emotion behind each of the “worth less” in society. He intends to dethrone beliefs about the disabled in society. Tim relates to a cousin of Dickens who passed away a cripple, so would have been seen in a negative manor
Key quotes
“Tiny Tim Upon his shoulder”
- shows how he holds Tim at such a high value, such as a trophy or a prize to him suggesting that he is of a high value to Mr Cratchit
- Holding him up so high could also be symbolic to the wished societal changed as the cripples in society were believed to hide themselves away from the rest.
- View later reiterated in a magazine showing that the poor still have value to god.
**“God bless us everyone” **
- Tiny Tim
- Stave 3
- Shows tims unwavering kindness in the face of poverty and illness making him a symbol of pure hearted generosity
- “everyone” reflects Christian values that we must care for everyone and treat everyone equally no matter there past or future
- Repeated at the end of the Novella, Showing how his spirit lingers as a moral guide even after Scrooges transformation
- Contrast Scrooges earlier Selfishness, reinforcing the novellas moral journey and greed to generosity
- Dickens intends to build sympathy for the working class through tiny Tim and his innocence’s, he is used to appeal to the readers emotions and promote empathy for the vulnerable poor
Themes : Religion
Overview
Religion is considered a key theme with a religious holiday being the title of the Novella we know that religious beliefs will be significant in the Novella, Religion is seen as the key theme of forgiveness with a lot of themes about the beliefs of religion being on show
Dickens intentions
Dicken intends to share the message of religion and the power it holds to forgive and redeem individuals when they give themselves to a selfness path like religion. He also expresses how religion involves itself in all walks of life, from tiny Tim to Scrooge, all characters attend or participate in some sort or religious activity, possibly suggesting religion has the power to influence and change societal norms.
Key Quotes
“He [Scrooge] went to church, and walked about the streets…“
- Narrator
- Stave 5
- Follows after Scrooges redemption his first instinct is to go to church and then roam the streets
- Syntax of the word order suggests the significant to becoming truly redeemed is through religion
- Simple word choices suggest his humble instinct
- “Walking the streets” shows his now humble beginning to a life where he can mingle and be amongst the poorest in society
- Dickens audience would have seen this as a significant milestone as completing his redemption and becoming fully fledged Christian
“God bless us, every one!”
- Tiny Tim
- Stave 5, Final speech
- Shows how his innocent nature to bless everyone shares socialistic ideas (Like dickens) about being able to care for all
- Seen as a character that the audience should pity so we sympathize with the plea to bless everyone
Theme : Generosity
Overview
Generosity is presented within the Novella as being the true meaning of Christmas, characters such as Scrooge learn to give while characters like Fred are already accustom to the nature of giving and present this from the beginning of the novella
Dickens intentions
Dickens intends to promote giving through positive characters like Fred and Bob who are presented as being good hardworking people while the miserly scrooge is seen as being ungenerous when asked about giving to charity, This is to act as a symbol that to give to charity is to not be like scrooge
Key quotes
“They are man’s… This boy is ignorance. This girl is want”
- Christmas Present
- Stave 3
- The spirits shows the two starving children to represent society’s failure to be generous especially towards the poor and vulnerable
- Mans refers to all humans showing that we are all collectively responsible to be generous to one and other when we get the chance
- Key message showing that without structure people can not amount to more than the two, and will ultimately make society worse because of it.
- Could link to the current scrooge as he started with nothing and eventually becomes a miserly character
- Dickens message is to be shocked and urges the rich to take action to save society from looking like that normally
“Ill raise your salary and endeavor to assist your struggling family”
- Scrooge
- Stave 5
- Scrooge makes a direct financial impact showing his transformation from greed to generosity and compassion
- Direct action from dickens to suggests that a true redemption includes actions not just the promise of them
- Scrooge leads by Societal example as to how to treat the hard working, working class
- “struggling family” shows new empathy and Scrooges wish to care for them on a personal level unlike he has before
- Marks a total reverse of character when he underpaid bob for his cheap labour, refused to put any coals on the fire and dismissed tiny time
- Shows he has truly been redeemed
“A great many back payments are included in it”
- Scrooge
- Stave 5
- “back payments” shows that scrooge is now making up for his prior wrong doings and neglect of the poor and is finally taking responsibility
- Scrooge donating a large sum to charity, unlike the scrooge we saw in stave one
- Great example of a redemption as he is now generous enough to endeavor the costs without being asked
- Christian Generosity and the theme of giving to the power were applicable
- Reflects his moral transformation into a generous self
Themes : Christmas
Dickens Intentions
Dickens intends to portray the Christmas spirit in the light that Christmas is a time of giving and comfort as well as a time to share and be compassionate to others. He symbolizes Christmas through the gift giving, the Christmas spirit and the unwavering love from tiny tim.
Key Quotes
” I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
- Scrooge
- Stave 4
- Quote marks the turning point of the character of Scrooge, where he finally embraces the values of a Christmas spirit - Kindness , generosity and love.
- “Honor Christmas” shows his emotional sincerity, suggesting that its not just a holiday but instead a moral integrity that will be etched into his life.
- “all the year” suggests how this change will not just be short term and that he is committed to doing it for an extended amount of time
- Line reflects redemption and hope showing that redemption is possibility at any time
- It is a message to the audience and the rich in society that there is still time to change and become socially responsible
“A kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time”
- Fred
- Act 1
- Shows the values of christmas after scrooge asks him what it means to him
- Passionately defends christmas showing that the positive characters, like Fred, believe that christmas and the spirit it brings should be followed.
- Contrasts Scrooges bitterness, reinforcing Fred as the foil for Scrooge in the early novella
- Fred becomes the voice of dickens views (Mouthpiece) of the values that come with christmas not just the gift giving but the values with that too
- The language is warm, inquisitive and inclusive suggesting that christmas is a time for all not just the rich and that we should all get to experience it equally too.
- “forgiving” foreshadows the future for scrooge that his actions will be repented and characters will accept it, Because of the christmas spirit
” It is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt and Abundance rejoices”
- Charity collector
- ACT 1
- This line highlights christmas a time of social contrast when the suffering of the poor is the most visible compared to the wealth of the rich
- Capitalization of “Want “ and “Abundance” reflects the personification making the poverty and wealth feel like living forces in Victorian society
- Dickens uses the moment to call to action, urging the generous to become charitable especially during christmas
- Juxtaposition of the two phrases suggests how the divide between wealthy and poor is only growing and the gap between the two is getting wider
- Also suggests the questionability of the two as while one grows the other shrinks which shouldn’t happen, suggesting Dickens is telling off the society for there neglect when the consequences are obvious.
- Polite but firm reflecting Dickens beliefs in giving
Themes : Time
Dickens intentions
Dickens intends to construct time as something that is limited and that if they do not change it then we will run out of time. Also limits the availability for everything in the novella building suspense over the issue
Key Quotes
“You will be haunted when the bell tolls one”
- Marley’s ghost
- Act 1
- This quote introduces the supernatural structure of time in the novella, where each ghost arrives at a specific hour, suggesting time is measured and meaningful
- The tolling bell echoes the idea of a warning or a countdown giving Scrooge limited time to change
- Time becomes a crucial part of the play as it is a symbol of the first lesson will be at a time
- Mention of time could link to the wider world that time is limited and lessons are learnt at the right time, Like scrooge will learn his lesson at the right time
- Mirrors a moral journey, each stage reflects a different part of scrooges life and the effects and results of his or others actions during them times.
“Business! Mankind was my business”
- Marley’s Ghost
- Stave 1
- Marley speaks from beyond death showing how his time has ran out to be able to serve mankind
- Repition of “Business” could show the true belief he feels again the idea that his business was the obstacle between serving the people of mankind
- Very abrupt suggesting that its something that scrooge must here as its a regret that Marley never got to hear, Almost voices his wishes for Scrooge to realize
- Pleading with scrooge to understand that business was not about the money made but the generosity
- Past tense reflects the irreversible loss that he has only learnt after his death when he can no longer make a change
- Displays that time is limited and can not be wasted, he must provide for mankind before his life ends too
- Dickens uses Marley to show that time misused leads to eternal punishment reinforcing the need to act now before its too late
“The spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like, Of Course they can”
- Scrooge
- Stave 5
- Scrooges expression awe at how much change can happen in a short time
- His joyful acceptance of the spirits power shows transformation as he now values time as something precius
- “One nigh” highlights the relevance in time throughout the novella compressed to allow rapid emotional and moral growth
- Dickens suggests its never too late
- Also suggests that obstacles stopping you can be overcome in the right way
“Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future”
- Names of the three ghosts links to the 3 different time frames possible
- Also links to the idea that the ghosts have powers to transverse time and manipulate it to present a message to Scrooge
- The ghosts are all representations of the character of Scrooge, Beginning bright but small and without anything, Then greedy and gluttonous with everything but no one to share it with and finally frail and dark due to his prior actions. Death
Themes : Family
**Dickens Intentions **
Dickens intends to show the importance of family in the novella, showing that family is a symbol of solidarity within the novella and they are someone that can understand and work with you, We see the neglect of family as well as the positives associated with family in the Novella
Key Quotes
“I have come to bring you home, dear brother! To bring you home, home!”
- Fan
- Stave 2
- Fans warm loving language shows her deep familial love for him, highlight the importance of a family bond
- The repition of home reflects a sense of safety and comfort, representing the emotional connection and security family provides
- Her appearance in the past suggest s a time before Scrooge was hardened and isolated showing at some point he was loved and loved his family
- Fans nurturing aspect to look after and nurture scrooge taking him back to a place of comfort shows that familiar bond is very strong and important within the wider novella and will be a key theme
“Ill raise your salary and endeavor to assist your struggling family”
- Scrooge
- Stave 5
- Scrooge makes a direct financial impact showing his transformation from greed to generosity and compassion
- Direct action from dickens to suggests that a true redemption includes actions not just the promise of them
- Scrooge leads by Societal example as to how to treat the hard working, working class
- “struggling family” shows new empathy and Scrooges wish to care for them on a personal level unlike he has before
- Marks a total reverse of character when he underpaid bob for his cheap labour, refused to put any coals on the fire and dismissed tiny time
- Shows he has truly been redeemed
- Now understands family is important and thus must help as much as he can
“Why wheres our Martha”
- Bob
- Stave 3
- Bobs concern for his daughter reflects the Cratchits tight nit family nature and the whereabouts is important for a member
- Reinforces the idea that christmas is a time for family and a family is not complete without all of its members
- Absence of Martha is a sign of how the Cratchits are emotionally bonded as a family to care and nurture one and other
- Cratchit love far exceeds any material values showing that the family is richer as indivuials than the miserly scrooge
Themes : Poverty
Dickens intentions
Dickens intends to show the issues related to poverty and how people in poverty are made to suffer by the rich while the poor cannot help there situation and are trying to get out of that position
Key Quotes
” Are there no prisons? And the union workhouses? Are they still in operation?
- Scrooge
- Stave 1
- Cold and dismissive response to the poor shows his indifference to the struggles of the less fortunate, viewing them as mere statistics rather than people in need
- mention of prisons and workhouses suggests the societal belief that poverty should be punished, something which dickens wants to change by showing Scrooge to support them
- Attitude towards the poor is apart of Scrooges Character Flaws as he is pities Tim later on and has his words repeated back to him
- Smug tone suggests scrooges belief that he is morally superior as he is richer however we seen the character of scrooge breakdown while the Cratchits enjoy there christmas
“Ill raise your salary and endeavor to assist your struggling family”
- Scrooge
- Stave 5
- Scrooge makes a direct financial impact showing his transformation from greed to generosity and compassion
- Direct action from dickens to suggests that a true redemption includes actions not just the promise of them
- Scrooge leads by Societal example as to how to treat the hard working, working class
- “struggling family” shows new empathy and Scrooges wish to care for them on a personal level unlike he has before
- Marks a total reverse of character when he underpaid bob for his cheap labour, refused to put any coals on the fire and dismissed tiny time
- Shows he has truly been redeemed
- Now understands family is important and thus must help as much as he can
- Shows how the poor even need supporting to help get people off their feet
“Mr Scrooge, Founder of the feast”
- Stave 3
Themes
- Christmas, Family and Love, Generosity vs Greed and Social injustice/poverty.
- The syntax suggests the generosity of Bob Cratchit as they believe that Mr Scrooge is more important than the feast he has infront of him, this suggests his respect for Scrooge isn’t just because of the job but is genuine
- Goes against the idea of the working class being greedy as they take a moment to appreciate Scrooge
- Shows the humbled mindset of Bob as although he has worked for the feast it is infact not him who should be thanked for it instead his provider
- Shows the gratitude that can be seen if they take the moment to care for the poorest in society
- “the feast” suggests that this is no small deal for the Cratchits so reinforces this idea of Christmas being a big occasion for many in society.
- Theme of rich vs poor seen as the poor which scrooge treats poorly speaks about him positively while his family speak negatively, suggests the message that the poor are grateful for the opportunity
- Poorest rely on the rich to provide them the chance to work for the meal that they have infront of them
- Shows the Societal understanding that Scrooge is some how the protagonist for underpaying Bob
Themes : Social Responsibility
Dickens intentions
Dickens intends to show society as more functional when we support one and other and that once we are there to help each other we are more operational as a society. Also suggests that we must be responsible for each other and each others actions and support the poor if we can.
** Key Quotes**
” Are there no prisons? And the union workhouses? Are they still in operation?
- Scrooge
- Stave 1
- Cold and dismissive response to the poor shows his indifference to the struggles of the less fortunate, viewing them as mere statistics rather than people in need
- mention of prisons and workhouses suggests the societal belief that poverty should be punished, something which dickens wants to change by showing Scrooge to support them
- Attitude towards the poor is apart of Scrooges Character Flaws as he is pities Tim later on and has his words repeated back to him
- Smug tone suggests scrooges belief that he is morally superior as he is richer however we seen the character of scrooge breakdown while the Cratchits enjoy there christmas
- Shows his disbelief in the idea of social responsibility and the idea that it is anything to do with him how the poorest are treated in society
- His mocking tone also shows that he believes it below his level to help them
- repeated questions suggest that he is questioning why they have came to him instead of putting the poor in prison, suggests his lack of understanding in the hardships of the poor
“Business! Mankind was my business”
- Marley’s Ghost
- Stave 1
- Marley speaks from beyond death showing how his time has ran out to be able to serve mankind
- Repition of “Business” could show the true belief he feels again the idea that his business was the obstacle between serving the people of mankind
- Very abrupt suggesting that its something that scrooge must here as its a regret that Marley never got to hear, Almost voices his wishes for Scrooge to realize
- Pleading with scrooge to understand that business was not about the money made but the generosity
- Past tense reflects the irreversible loss that he has only learnt after his death when he can no longer make a change
- Displays that time is limited and can not be wasted, he must provide for mankind before his life ends too
- Dickens uses Marley to show that time misused leads to eternal punishment reinforcing the need to act now before its too late
“God bless us everyone”
- Tiny Tim
- Stave 3
- Shows tims unwavering kindness in the face of poverty and illness making him a symbol of pure hearted generosity
- “everyone” reflects Christian values that we must care for everyone and treat everyone equally no matter there past or future
- Repeated at the end of the Novella, Showing how his spirit lingers as a moral guide even after Scrooges transformation
- Contrast Scrooges earlier Selfishness, reinforcing the novellas moral journey and greed to generosity
- Dickens intends to build sympathy for the working class through tiny Tim and his innocence’s, he is used to appeal to the readers emotions and promote empathy for the vulnerable poor
- Tim symbolizes the poor working class and youth so for him to be accounting for everyone it shows that the youth are developing the positive mindset to provide and support everyone
Themes : Redemption
Dickens Intentions
Dickens intends to show the character of scrooge as being irredeemable at the beginning and the furthest point gone, to suggest that his redemption is impossible. Following the work from the ghosts to do the impossible his character is finally fully redeemed
Key Quotes
“He [Scrooge] went to church, and walked about the streets…”
- Narrator
- Stave 5
- Follows after Scrooges redemption his first instinct is to go to church and then roam the streets
- Syntax of the word order suggests the significant to becoming truly redeemed is through religion
- Simple word choices suggest his humble instinct
- “Walking the streets” shows his now humble beginning to a life where he can mingle and be amongst the poorest in society
- Dickens audience would have seen this as a significant milestone as completing his redemption and becoming fully fledged Christian
“Squeezing, Wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”
- Stave 1
Themes
- Selfishness/Materialism, Social Injustice and Religion
-This Asyndetic listing highlights the selfish and avaricious character, It portrays Scrooge’s Amoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant “sinner”
- The use of the 7 negative adjectives mirrors how there are 7 deadly sins, known as Cardinal sins, where were seen in the bible as the root of all evil. As the foundations of the Victorian morality was religion, the parallels between Scrooge and the sins are used by Dickens to highlight how the rich sin in society
- The verbs “squeezing” and “wrenching” suggest a struggle, this illustrates how Scrooge struggles to see the detrimental consequences of his stinginess and this, his role in perpetuating social inequality
- The link too the 7 deadly sins shows how his character is truly beyond a point of saving as 1 sin was normally profaned neverminded all 7
- Shows his true irredeemableness
” I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
- Scrooge
- Stave 4
- Quote marks the turning point of the character of Scrooge, where he finally embraces the values of a Christmas spirit - Kindness , generosity and love.
- “Honor Christmas” shows his emotional sincerity, suggesting that its not just a holiday but instead a moral integrity that will be etched into his life.
- “all the year” suggests how this change will not just be short term and that he is committed to doing it for an extended amount of time
- Line reflects redemption and hope showing that redemption is possibility at any time
- It is a message to the audience and the rich in society that there is still time to change and become socially responsible
Character of Fred
Dickens Intentions
Dickens intends to construct the character of Fred as a foil for Scrooges anti-christmas beliefs, he reinstates the idea of giving and presents the idea of being merry while being rich in the early novella. This could be done intentionally to show the character scrooge could have become if he wasn’t so miserly and focused on money.
Key Quotes
“I have always thought of Christmas time… As a good time ; kind forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.”
- Fred
- Stave one
- Fred presents christmas as a time for social unity and kindness, contrasting sharply with Scrooges cold indifference to others.
- His tone is warm and inclusive, showing his belief is importance of generosity and human connection
- Tone makes it feel like its rolling of his tongue, suggesting his emotions are true and passionate
- Fred acts as a foil for scrooge counter arguing his point that to be rich is to be merry and over christmas you lose money so why be merry
- List of adjectives emphasizes his values which reflect dickens ideal visions
“His wealth is of no use to him. He dont do any good with it”
- Fred
- Stave 1
- Fred criticize scrooge for hoarding of wealth, implying that money is meaningless if not used to help others
- Fred’s belief that using priveleged is good if used for good, reinforcing the idea that social responsibility involves sharing resources and lifting others up
- The tone is pitiful suggesting that he feels compassion and sorrow for Scrooges rejection of kindness
- Challenges Victorian capitalist values suggesting the true worth lies in how much we can benefit others
- “no use” suggests the idea that no only is his wealth not doing anything it is bringing scrooge nothing as he has no internal feeling of happiness or charity
- Fred’s views mirror dickens beliefs of being charitable and holding the richest to account if they fail to help the poorest in society when they can
“I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not.”
- Fred
- Stave 1
- Freds repeated invitation to scrooge shows his unwavering kindness and commitment to family even when unrequited
- Demonstrates personal responsibility towards others, even those who reject you revealing his underlying empathy
- Persistence reflects the hope of dickens that we can change as a society to better support the less fortunate, Scrooge, in this example
- Fred acts as a social counter to isolation
- “chance” suggests it is an opportunity for scrooge to change, as he does attend at the end it suggests he has changed and is no willing to partake in community spirit
Character of Fan
Dickens intention
Dickens intends to reflect on a time when scrooge has the undivided love from his sister fan, we believe that she is no longer with us during the time frame as the emotions scrooge feels seeing her during the time of the christmas past suggests his miss and grief for her. She intends to show us that Scrooges growing up was tough however he had the familiar love which he still has but does not requite
Key Quotes
“I have come to bring you home, dear brother! To bring you home, home!”
- Fan
- Stave 2
- Fans warm loving language shows her deep familial love for him, highlight the importance of a family bond
- The repition of home reflects a sense of safety and comfort, representing the emotional connection and security family provides
- Her appearance in the past suggest s a time before Scrooge was hardened and isolated showing at some point he was loved and loved his family
- Fans nurturing aspect to look after and nurture scrooge taking him back to a place of comfort shows that familiar bond is very strong and important within the wider novella and will be a key theme
“She died a women, and had, as i think, children. One child”
- Ghost of Past
- Stave 2
- Signals to the audience of the grief scrooge feels losing her and adds weight to his emotional regret
- Scrooge feels regret for his cold and harsh treatment of Fred, Her only child as he reflects on the love and affection she showed to him
- Fans memory humanizes and exposes Scrooge to the emotion of grief, revealing a time where he had deep-end emotional bonds
- Sorrowful reaction suggests the first time scrooge reflects on his acts and shows the first sign of remorse
- Links past and present, a betrayal to Fred is a betrayal to fans love and affection.
“She has a huge heart”
- Scrooge
- Stave 2
- Simple yet powerful comment captures fans defining trait - her deep emotional warmth and love especially for her brother
- It serves as a rare emotional expression from scrooge in the early parts of the novella hinting at the humanity behind the cold and isolated shell
- Large shows her emotional generosity constricting scrooges miserly nature
- Metaphorical suggesting the true size of her love and affection was a lot larger than the average person
- Fans love nature and scrooges reaction hints at the reconnection of family and love central to scrooges redemption
Character of Belle
Dickens intentions
Dickens intends to construct belle to be the part of scrooge that caused his isolated ways, She is seen as scrooges only romantic partner in the play suggesting that scrooge did not trust to love after this relationship. She stands as a pivotal moment as during her scene we see scrooge truly become enraged and show the first signs of taking the message in and feeling the outcomes of the message
Key quotes
“Another idol has displaced me… a golden one”
- Belle
- Stave 2
- Suggests that money has become scrooges true romantic item and that belle is no longer of importance to him as he is striving for wealth
- metaphor of a “golden idol” reflects the corrupting power of gree, a major theme of the novella
- Belles calm yet sorrowful tone contrasts with Scrooges cold behavior showing the emotional distance that has grown between them
- Her word choices highlight a turning point of scrooge from the young and almost lost boy in the beginning to idolizing money now
- “displaced” suggests that she has not been fully replaced however money has grown in importance too much for her to compete with
- He now worships money instead of Love
- Scrooge holds this bitterness of love for a while and doesn’t love again suggesting that effected him more than he lets on.
“You fear the world too much”
- Stave 2
- Belle
- Belle recognizes that scrooge fear of poverty and social failures drives him to obsession with wealth rather than seeking emotional security
- This quote presents Scrooge as a victims of societal pressure, Making his transformation more sympathetic and complex.
- “fear the world” shows how scrooges motivations are rooted in anxiety not just selfishness which humanizes his character
- Belle acts as a moral mirror exposing scrooges change and warning him of the emotional consequences of his ambition
- Belle also serves as the first warning to scrooge, prior to the ghosts that he is going to far in the wrong direction
- “too much” suggests that the world should be feared but not to the extent that scrooge fears it
- “You” pronoun shows she has now separated herself from scrooge and doesn’t see them together.
“May you be happy in the life you have chosen!”
- Stave 2
- Belle
- Bells parting words dignified and bittersweet, showing her grace and self respect even as she ends their engagement
- “you have chosen” reminds us that scrooges path was not forces, it was a conscious decision that he has chosen wealth over love
- “life” suggests the ideal that it is eternal suggesting that scrooge has gone to far to live this life of wealth and still be redeemed, he must make sacrifices to even have a chance in changing
- Moment leaves a lasting impression on Scrooge, as it is one of his deepest regrets losing her through selfishness
- Belles farewell marks a major emotional wound in Scrooges past that he must confront to change, suggesting that the ghosts will show scrooge the tough times that lay ahead and in the past in the hope that he changes them
