Scrooge's Redemption Flashcards
(18 cards)
“squeezing, wrenching, grasping…
scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”
The employment of an asyndetic list conveys the relentlessness of Scrooge.
The five verbs could work with the motif of hands, to demonstrate the five fingers, and hint at the way in which Scrooge holds tightly onto his wealth, and actively hoards it - this is an interesting concept since Scrooge values materialistic possessions greatly, but does not spend his money, he is still miserly - through the vignette within his childhood we are informed that he grew up in an agricultural community and was not rich - therefore, now that he does have money he values it greatly since it was the only thing that saved him from his poverty, in a situation where he has no community.
Continuous verbs - relentlessness
sinner simply underscores the fact that Scrooge in all his existence is completely immoral. By presenting him as a carcature, Dickens makes his redemption more noticeable and dramatic.
Religious/moral framing: Dickens couches his critique in moral terms—Scrooge isn’t just unpleasant or miserly; he’s sinful.
Judgmental tone: By calling him a “sinner,” Dickens introduces a moral framework that will be essential to the story’s arc of redemption - the play is set at Christmas time signifying that he will be able to redeem himself in a religious sense.
“Scrooge kept the…
coal-box”
Here we witness Scrooge acting almost tyrannically towards Bob Cratchit, possessing him and controlling him - shows his misanthropic nature and the way in which he actively pushes away community. Also metaphorical for the control the rich had over the working class - Marxist concept that Scrooge keeping the coal box symbolises the bourgeoisie’s control over the means of production and the denial of basic resources to the proletariat to maintain power and economic dominance.
“Good-…
Afternoon”
He repeats this in response to Fred, a number of times, demonstrating his pessimism and inability to change to begin with. He shuts out the world and does not take a moment to listen to others - but through this repetition Dickens exemplifies how monotonous this becomes for people like Scrooge - life could be so much more colourful if they accepted others.
Afternoon suggests nearing the end of the day, perhaps insinuating that Scrooge always ends conversations, ends opportunities for human connection.
“Are there no…
Prisons?”
“decrease the…
surplus population”
Introduces the Malthusian concept - mouthpiece for Malthus, that the reason why the poor must stay poor and eventually die out, is because there are not enough resources to sustain everyone - however when Scrooge buys the Cratchits the turkey, we witness first-hand the fact that there are plenty of resources, it is simply a matter of the rich acting generously and sharing the resources with the less fortunate - he becomes a “second father” to Tiny Tim, which is metaphorical for the way in which Dickens encourages the wealthy to use their financial power to support the poor in a paternal manner, with the stronger looking after the weaker. That was society can function - it is not about the lack of resources but rather the uneven way in which they are distrubuted.
“Whose passions made this…
cap?”
“A _______one”
golden
“What reason have you to be _______? You’re…
poor enough”
Initially, Scrooge has no understanding of what Fred’s source of happiness can be other than wealth. This stems from Scrooge’s childhood wherein, as symbolised by the motif of fire used in “feeble fire”, he did not have a strong sense of community or Family. Fred’s joy comes from his marriage his friends and family, and Christmas, that is, religion. This is also ironic because regardless of how rich he is, Scrooge is by no means merry. Therefore this in itself proves his beliefs wrong.
“Oh no, kind Spirit! Say…
Tiny Tim will be spared!”
“Have they no ____ or ________?”
On ignorance and want
refuge/resource
This signifies a turning point in Scrooge’s understanding of social responsibility - prior to this he was saliently confident that Prisons and Workhouses were sufficient support for the poor - however, clearly, through the vignette with Ignorance and Want, these resources are not useful and more so a form of punishment and torment - the fact that this is a question signifies his lack of understanding of the situation, he is doubting what he is seeing because it comes as a shock to him - Dickens wished to evoke the same reaction from his readers who had previously supported the Poor Laws and Such, to view the world through a more critical lens and as questions, shock them out of their inertia.
“I will honour…
Christmas in my heart”
“I will not shut out the…
lessons that they teach”
“I will live in the Past…
the Present, and the Future”
“perfect…
Laocoon”
A Roman Literary reference - Laocoon was strangled to death by serpents. Where serpents are traditionally symbolic of evil and satan, this image of Scrooge insinuates that while Scrooge almost was strangled, completely consumed by sins and evil, he was able to fight evil and resort to good. This implies that even those who are completely surrounded by evil, like Scrooge, who was a caricature of sorts, wholly sinful, even they can change. Reinforces the Christian message of the novella that wants to inspire the readers to see that everyone can be redeemed, although it may be challenging.
Also adds comic relief to the novella, as he is making a fool of himself with his stockings - complete shift in the tone of the novella, in the same way that there is a complete shift in Scrooge’s persona.
“I’m quite _ ________”
a baby
He’s born anew, he is opening a new chapter of his life - perhaps this is because he was able to break the pattern of attachment, face the truth of his past and understand his mistakes, he is able to escape his repression. Freudian lens - his past had negatively impacted him, cankered his persona, but now he is able to live his life with a fresh start - emphasises the importance of memories.
“Running to the _________ he _________ed it”
window/opened
“The motif of windows in A Christmas Carol symbolizes Scrooge’s emotional and spiritual openness. Windows literally separate the inside from the outside world, and in the early stages of the novella, Scrooge is isolated, metaphorically ‘shut behind glass.’ As he undergoes his transformation, he begins to open his heart to others and engage with life outside his self-imposed prison. The image of opening a window is not only a physical metaphor for letting in fresh air, but it also represents Scrooge’s willingness to embrace change. Much like the oyster that opens to reveal its pearl, Scrooge’s willingness to open himself up signifies his capacity for goodness and renewal, no longer afraid of embracing the world or change.”
“No ____, no ____; clear”
fog/mist
The motif of fog is used throughout the poem to symbolise the moral corruption and the darkness surrounding not only Scrooge, but by extension the business classes in London. However, once Scrooge is redeemed and he understands the importance of community and social responsibility, the fog clears up - he is able to see clearly, able to see the truth… PATHETIC FALLACY.
“second…
father”
This is Dickens’ metaphorical suggestion to his audiences that the business classes must take a paternal role in the lower classes’ lives. Whether that is, like Fezziwig building a nurturing and welcoming environment for all, and treating laborers with respect, or through charity and generosity, as shown through Scrooge buying the Cratchits a turkey, those with financial power should support the weak - through this, society can become more equal and positive both for the poor and the rich - a more productive working environment and happier families.
