ghosts Flashcards
(18 cards)
key words for the ghost of christmas past
pure
compassion
etheral
what is the use of the ghost of christmas past
- shows various scenes from his past with allows the reader to emphasis with scrooge
- causes the reader to understand how scrooges past has shaped his character
- dickens illustrates scrooge is capable of change and that he did not always hold a misanthropic attitude
analysis “wore a tunic of the purest white”
- symbol of hope
“purest white” celestial image of heavy and purity from sin - tunic alludes to the biblical image of jesus who wears white and acts as a moral compass for christians
- could suggest the ghosts aim to to resurface scrooges repressed memories in order to purify him from his previous sin
“like a child” but also “like a man”
- juxtaposing ideas
- paradoxical descriptions emphasis the impossibility of the spirits and highlights the supernatural theme
- could be argued that all the spirits reflect scrooge from a different time to come so its reflected in the ghosts appearance
bright clear jet of life
creates an image of hope and light
symbolises that the ghosts purpose is to brighten scrooges life
- develops the motif of light
how is the ghost of christmas past a symbol of redemption
“light” carries a symbol of hope
- brighten up scrooges life with moral awakening
scrooge “could not hide the light” which foreshadows how scrooge cannot escape his redemption
How does Dickens explore the power dynamic between Scrooge and the Spirits?
He shows an evolving relationship, where Scrooge begins by resisting but ultimately cannot overpower the Spirits.
How does Scrooge challenge the Ghost of Christmas Past at first?
He questions its authority, asking “what business” brought it and saying he’d prefer a “night of unbroken rest.”
What happens when Scrooge sees Belle with the Ghost of Christmas Past?
He becomes emotional and begs, “Show me no more!”—but the Spirit forces him to watch, showing its control.
how is the ghost of christmas present be presented as a god like figure
“kind,generous,hearty nature” the triple adjective could be linked to the holy trinity in which there is three parts of god.
- suggesting how the ghost wants to bring scrooge back to his religious moral foundations
“ivy” surrounding the ghost and biblically ivy is seen as a gift from god suggesting the perhaps the ghost has come as a gift from god to help scrooge
How is the Ghost of Christmas Present initially described?
a “jolly Giant” in a “green robe” with a “holly wreath,” evoking traditional images of Father Christmas.
What is the significance of the ghost of christmas presents “glowing torch”?
It symbolizes positivity and the Christmas spirit, continuing the motif of light.
how is the ghost of christmas present a symbol of abundance and hope
“glowing torch,in shape unlike plenty’s horn
- plenty’s horn in latin means cornucopia meaning abundance
- suggesting there is a abundance of resources to be shared which is a direct criticism of mathnasium views which has no regard for the poor
how is the ghost of christmas yet to come initally depecited
“slowly,gravely,silently approached”
- triple ominous adverb shows this meanancing ambience filled with dread
- archetypal presentation of a ghost - faceless figure meant to haunt scrooge
“shrouded in a deep black garment”
- description of the grim reaper - symbol of death
- the alikeness in description is suggestive that scrooges chances at redemption are gone
“outstretched hand” “ steady hand was pointed to the head”
the use of “hand” could be an allusion to the hand of time on a clock
the ghost is warning scrooge he is loosing time and edging closer to his ironically ‘solitary’ death - scrooge longed to be solitary but now he has got it and he is fearful
what is the purpose of the ghost of christmas yet to come
he shows scrooge the dark consequences of his actions and demonstrates what his fate will be if he does not repent
how is scrooge presented in front of the ghost of christmas yet to come
- presented as a cowardice
filled with “ solem dread” - the dread is key in scrooges freedom as it allows scrooge to fear the future he will face if he continues to be shrouded in his own darkness - his utter terror is so powerful it evokes a physical reaction “ scrooge feared the silent figure so much his legs trembled beneath him”
how does dickens set stave 5
he sets it within the london streets will of agony and squalor “ smell and dirt and life upon the straggaling streets”
