Scrooge - After Flashcards
Analyse quote “fell upon the heart of Scrooge with a softening influence, and gave a freer passage to his tears”
-This contrasts with the cold, hardened state of his heart earlier in the novella, when he dismisses the poor with callous indifference. Dickens frequently associates the heart with emotion and human warmth, and this moment marks the beginning of Scrooge’s emotional awakening.
-This softening is not abrupt or forceful but gentle, indicating that change is occurring naturally as Scrooge allows himself to feel and connect with the world around him. The choice of the word “influence” also implies that this transformation is external, likely stemming from the visions shown to him by the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, as well as the suffering he has witnessed.
-During the Victorian era, emotions—especially among men—were often suppressed due to societal expectations of stoicism and restraint. This was particularly true for individuals in positions of power and wealth, who were expected to prioritize logic and financial pragmatism over sentimentality. Scrooge, as a wealthy businessman, embodies this rigid mindset at the beginning of the novella. His inability to cry or express empathy mirrors the broader societal tendency to view poverty and suffering through an impersonal, detached lens.
-this moment is crucial in scrooges redemptive arc, dickens suggests that acknowledging and expressing one’s emotions is a necessary step toward redemption. Scrooge’s tears represent a release from his old, miserly self, making way for a kinder, more compassionate individual.
Analyse quote “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year. I will live in the Past, Present and the Future. “
-By claiming that he will honour Christmas in his heart, Scrooge is vowing to internalize the Christmas spirit, which transcends mere external actions like gift-giving or feasting. It suggests that he will adopt the values of empathy, generosity, and love as part of his very nature not just during the holiday season, but throughout the year, signaling a deep and lasting change in his character.
-The repetition of the phrase “I will” in this quote serves as a powerful assertion of agency and commitment. Each repetition emphasizes Scrooge’s conscious decision to take responsibility for his future actions. The repetition of “I will” emphasizes that Scrooge is now in control of his fate, marking the moment as a true act of redemption.
-Dickens is advocating for social change and encouraging readers to adopt a more compassionate approach to life. Scrooge’s transformation represents an idealized version of how the wealthy could embrace their responsibility to care for the less fortunate.
Analyse quote “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy, I am as giddy as a drunken man “
Similes :
- “As light as a feather” evokes the sense of freedom and relief from the heavy burdens of greed and selfishness that had weighed him down throughout his life. Scrooge’s soul, which had been encumbered by his miserly ways, is now unburdened and uplifted, a reflection of his newfound capacity for love and generosity.
-As merry as a school-boy” links Scrooge’s newfound happiness to youthfulness and innocence. Despite his advanced age, is experiencing a return to the unburdened joy of childhood, a time when he was free from the stresses and bitterness that had clouded his adult life. It also highlights the playfulness and spontaneity of his newfound joy.
-The repeated structure gives a sense of Scrooge’s self-assurance in his newfound happiness, as though he is repeating the declaration to solidify his belief in the transformation. The repetition also suggests that Scrooge is asserting his new identity, one that is no longer defined by his past miserly behavior
-Dickens uses hyperbole to emphasize the radical nature of Scrooge’s transformation, suggesting that it is so profound that it cannot be measured by ordinary standards. This illustrates that his redemption is not a mere shift in behavior but a total, overwhelming change in his soul.
Analyse quote “Not a farthing less. A great many back payments are included in it”
-Scrooge’s pledge to donate “not a farthing less” resolves the earlier conflict by reversing his stance on charity. His offer to provide “back payments” further emphasizes the moral debt he owes to society, representing the moral atonement for his previous selfishness. The cyclical nature of this narrative structure—beginning with Scrooge’s cold rejection of charity and ending with his full embrace of generosity—reinforces the central theme of the novella: that it is never too late to change, and that personal redemption requires both recognition of past wrongs and a commitment to future acts of kindness.
-This omission serves a moral purpose: it conveys that charity is not about the size of the gift but the spirit in which it is given. Scrooge’s willingness to pay “back payments” is not about impressing others with his wealth but about making amends for his past and engaging in acts of compassion and community support.
Analyse quote “he did it all and infinitely more and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father.”
-This image of Scrooge becoming a “second father” emphasizes his growth into a nurturing, compassionate role, one that is markedly different from his earlier, emotionally distant persona. In Victorian England, fatherhood often represented moral authority, protection, and care.
-Tiny Tim’s survival is a direct result of Scrooge’s change of heart. In the beginning of the novella, Tiny Tim’s death is foreseen as a likely consequence of his family’s poverty and lack of medical care. By choosing to become involved in the Cratchit family’s life and providing them with financial support, Scrooge not only saves Tim’s life but also demonstrates that a small act of generosity can change
-His transformation into a “second father” also reflects Dickens’ broader belief in the importance of emotional bonds, whether in the form of family or friendship, as a way of overcoming loneliness, isolation, and social inequality.
