scrooge Flashcards
(39 cards)
key quote for selfishness ( 2 quotes)
squeezing wrenching, grasping,scraping,clutching,covetous old sinner
arnt there no prisons arnt there no work houses
How is Scrooge presented at the start of the novella?
As callous, sceptical, and materialistic. He values money over kindness and is ignorant of the poor
What does Scrooge’s transformation represent in the novella?
The potential for anyone to change, show compassion, and take social responsibility.
How does Dickens use Scrooge’s language to reveal his character?
Through dismissive comments, exclamatory statements like “Bah! Humbug!”, and rhetorical questions that show ignorance and resistance to change.
Key quote showing Scrooge’s early attitude towards Christmas?
Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding…”
“Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding…” analysis
This quote reveals Scrooge’s disdain for Christmas and those who celebrate it. The word “idiot” shows his lack of respect for people who find joy and kindness in the festive season. It reflects his isolation and bitterness.
The use of violent imagery in “boiled with his own pudding” exaggerates his hatred for Christmas and adds a darkly humorous tone, making his attitude seem extreme and irrational.
This also reflects Scrooge’s prioritisation of money over compassion. Christmas represents generosity and community, values Scrooge rejects at this point in the novella.
Dickens uses this quote to establish Scrooge as a miserly and unpleasant character, which makes his later transformation more powerful and meaningful.
What key message about social inequality does Dickens convey through Scrooge?
That inequality can be reduced through personal change, compassion, and social responsibility.
How is Scrooge shown in Stave 5?
As fully transformed: kind, generous, reconciled with family, and a mentor to the Cratchits.
how does the setting reflect scrooge in stave 1
- weather is a motif through novella and it typically changes alongside scrooge
- dickens personifies the weather “ piercing searching biting cold
- uses pathetic fallacy “fog and darkness thickened” -
- resembles bleakness of scrooge and his internal dark nature -
CONTEXT - fog killed many in the 1870s - shows weather can kill - rich poses the same power
key words for scrooge in stave 1
parsimonious
ostracised
miser
frugal
archetypal villain
how does dickens present scrooge as ostracised from society in stave one
quotes to support it
the conceit ( extended metaphor) of the cold holds parallels to scrooges cold and distant attitude
“the cold within him froze his features”
“frosty rime”
analysis “the cold within him froze his features” and “frosty rime”
- internal apathy and detachment is so powerful alters his physical appearance
“froze” - trapped in a rigid unfeeling state untouched by anything
“cold within him” - metaphor for this lack of compassion
is scrooge successful or unsuccessful in his ostracisation
successful even elements that are uncontrollable he has managed to intercept
“external heat had little influence”
- he is so strong in his apatheic nature that it is like a impenetrable barrier
how is scrooge a emblem of the upper victorian in stave 1
he is a archetypal villian in the context of an impoverished society - he is so self centred in a poor society and he could do so much to make teh changes
quotes that describe scrooge as a emblem of the upper victorian society
“squeezing wrenching,
grasping, scraping,clutching,covetous old sinner”
“ are there no prisons? are there no workhouses?”
analysis “squeezing wrenching,
grasping, scraping,clutching,covetous old sinner”
analysis of the rhetorical repetition “ are there no prisons? are there no workhouses?”
- rhetorical repetition showing scrooge is mocking those who advocate for selflessness which reinforces his misanthropic attitudes and disinterest in society
- highlights his selfishness which is a representative of the wider societys apathy towards the harsh social structure that oppresses the poor
what are dickens intentions from making scrooge a emblem of the upper victorian class
from the offset he critiques that social injustice is synonymous with the greed of the upper victorian society
key words for scrooge in stave 2
vulnerable
exposed emotionally
rejection of redemption
repression of emotion
how does the motif of weather carry on in stave 2
“still very foggy and extremely cold”
- pathetic fallacy foreshadows how scrooge will remain oblivious and ignorant
-‘fog’ scrooge prevents himself from from embarking on redemption
“darkness and mist had vanished with it” symbolises that with each ghost scrooge is gaining clarity
how is there a rejection of redemption in stave 2
“bright clear jet of light” - trying to brighten scrooges life through revelation
- scrooge is unsuccessful in restricting the ghosts light which mirrors how scrooge will be unsuccessful in obstructing his redemption
how do we understand and feel sympathy for scrooge in stave 2
“i was bred in this place, i was a boy here!”
- exclamation provides first insight to his raw emotions
“bred” could have animalistic connotations bringing more sympathy suggesting the he suffered animalistic treatment as a child
“a solitary child,neglected” - links to previous description of “solitary oyster”
- repeated use highlights that is ‘solitary’ child state as reflected in his lonesome adult existence
how does seeing fezziwig reflect on scrooge
” his heart and soul were in the scene”
- juxtaposition to his previous cold presentation
how does stave three show the beginning of scrooges redemption
“forgive me if i am not justified in what i ask” - biblical undertones of asking for forgiveness
