Theme - Materialism And Wealth Flashcards
(12 cards)
Define materialism
Materialism is defined as ‘the preference of material things and physical comfort over spiritual values’. It is a concept which Dickens presents as wrong within the text. He explores the idea of wealth in greater depth and portrays it as having both positive and negative effects within the novella.
How does Scrooge point out the paradoxical nature of wealth in stave 2?
He describes it as “the even-handed dealing of the world”. He continues by asserting that there is nothing on earth as
“hard as poverty” but the “pursuit of wealth” is one of the things people “condemn” the most. This belief is used by Scrooge to justify his actions; however, Dickens may have included this perceptive observation to comment on the attitudes towards wealth in Victorian society.
When Marley’s Ghost appears before Scrooge in the opening stave he insults him by calling him a “man of the worldly mind”. How could this be interpreted?
This could be interpreted as alluding to Scrooge’s materialistic attitude, a significant reference as it occurs in the first stave. This is interesting as it highlights that Dickens wanted to establish materialism as wrong from the very offset of the novella.
How does dickens further highlight that materialism is wrong?
Dickens furthers this through the revelation that the other spirits in purgatory had a “misery within them” because they wanted to “interfere, for good, in human matters” but had
“lost the power forever.” Here, Dickens highlights that material things and physical comfort are unimportant, challenging the concept of materialism. Instead, he presents the idea that spiritual values, such as helping those around you, are more essential and beneficial from both a moral and religious standpoint.
How is the viewpoint of materialism reinforce in stave 3 when the ghost of Christmas ______ takes Scrooge where ?
Gost of past takes Scrooge to Fred’s Christmas party. Fred observes that Scrooge’s materialistic pursuits of wealth are of “no use to him” as he doesn’t “do any good with it (his money)”. Here Dickens outlines that as materialism doesn’t benefit anyone, it is purposeless and should be abandoned, solidifying its portrayal as a worthless concept within the novella.
How does dickens use marleys character to highlight the unfavourable effect of wealth?
When Marley’s Ghost appears, Dickens writes that he was tied in chains. He details that they were made of “cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers (a book of financial accounts), deeds (a legal document for property), and heavy purses”. (“I wear the chains I forged in life”)
What’s the semantic field of the details of Marley’s chains?
(A group of words with similar meanings) of money highlights how it is Marley’s misuse of wealth which has caused him to become trapped in purgatory. Through this Dickens presents a didactic (moral) lesson for readers, perhaps causing them to understand that wealth can cause the downfall of a person if it is not used properly.
How else is the effect of wealth represented from Marley’s ghost?
This idea is furthered by the breakdown of the relationship between Scrooge and Belle. Belle tells Scrooge that she is leaving him due to his “eager” and “greedy” attitude towards money. She recognises that he no longer has any noble “aspirations” as “gain” is what
“engrosses” him. This highlights that the deterioration of their relationship is a direct consequence of Scrooge’s fixation with wealth.
Who’s an example of/ what of positive presentation of wealth?
Fezziwig, Scrooge’s employer when he was young, is presented as a character who used money in a praiseworthy and exemplary way. Therefore, it could be argued that Dickens uses his character to act as an example to readers, presenting the idea that it is indeed possible to be both wealthy and moral.
What does Scrooge recognise from fezziwig using him money for ?
He used his money to make people “happy”. He ensures that the working conditions in the warehouse instil a sense of “pleasure” in his employees. Consequently, Scrooge acknowledges that it is not the amount of money a person has which is important but the happiness that they can create because of it.
How does Scrooge present that money can befit those around him in the final stave?
He makes a donation to the charity collector from Stave One and sends a turkey to Bob Cratchit’s house for Christmas dinner. Following these altruistic (selfless) actions, the narrator repeatedly uses the word “good” to describe his character. This shows how Scrooge has been able to use his wealth to become a better person. The Narrator reinforces this by revealing that his
“own heart laughed” suggesting that he is content and happy.
What does Scrooge transforming /donating in the last stave acknowledge?
This ultimately presents the idea that wealth can be used to honour spiritual values in order to develop into a better person.
