christmas carol key quotes and analysis

Of course, the fact that this is obvious does not detract from the big reveal due to the way that Dickens masterfully creates tension. This mirrors the Victorian rich's attitude to the poor. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop Theme= poverty/greed and generosity. The words of the charwoman, who disgusts Scrooge, in the rag 'n' bone man's shop reflect the views to which Scrooge subscribed at the start of the novella when he declared that the poor were not his 'business' implying that his only business was himself. "Its genial face, its sparking eye, its open hand. However, this in itself would probably not have been enough to alter his ways. It was a worthy place. ', Stave 5: 'No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold;', Stave 5: 'He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.'. Such as the graveyard at the end. Setting includes not only the physical surroundings, but also the ideas, customs, values, and beliefs of a particular time and place. Stave 2 - Belle's husband tells Belle about seeing Scrooge. The style of A Christmas Carol is conversational and direct. "Crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light." Description of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2, this ghost is much less scary than Marley which symbolises the innocence of childhood. He listens for the church bell but when it comes, it strikes twelve. How to revise from this guide You should be spending at least 30-60 minutes a week revising for English Literature from this point onwards, aiming to learn 5-7 key quotes for each character. The word 'business' reflects Scrooge's earlier response to the portly gentlemen. ", "there's a cold within him" that "froze his old features", sociable- "wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful unanimity". Of course, Dickens does use his trademark lengthy descriptions but nearly everything has a point. It could also show that, as it has been so long since he was happy, he finds it difficult to describe. Hallo there! This girl is Want. Whatever the book. Scrooge has undergone a metamorphoses - he has literally been reborn as a new man. The tremors of the great San Francisco earthquake that occurred in 1906 (was, were) estimated to have measured 8.3 on the Richter scale. The relative clause describing Tiny Tim reinforces the idea that it is Scrooge's actions that caused him to live. Along with the words, 'sole' and 'solitary' used throughout the novel to suggest that each individual must take responsibility for his own choices - just as Marley is paying for his individual sins. uses long and short clauses to show how busy they are. These morally repugnant, ugly people are simply treating Scrooge the way he treated others and he is horrified. Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. ", 'A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. Stave 4 - Bob's reaction to Tiny Tim's death However, it could also be argued that ignorance reflects the lack of education of the poor. People can change, but Scrooge has thus far been content with his situation. The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it costs a fortune. Foul weather didnt know where to have him. A description of Fezziwig, a rich merchant t whom Scrooge is apprentice. Scrooge awakes and finds his room as dark as when he fell asleep at two o'clock. The description of the figure who is both like a child and like an old man, is suggestive of the journey that the ghost takes him on. In many ways the vision works like memory can do: it changes depending on perspectives or moods. Family Theme Analysis. A description of how the Cratchit family mourned the death of Tiny Tim. Themes= greed and generosity of the poor. This means that Scrooge is implying Christmas was designed to trick and fool people into spending money. "His eyes sparkled and his breath smocked.". They were a boy and girl. The adjective solitary and neglected highlight his feelings of loneliness and isolation, creating sympathy for him. "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. Stave 3 - the ghost uses Scrooge's words against him Whoop! but stopped at the first syllable', Repeated phrase (Juxtaposition and patterning), Stave 5: 'Hear me! Dr Aidan, PhD, brings you the second video in his 'A Christmas Carol' series, looking here at the role and importance of the ghosts in this story. Scrooge will avoid spirits for the rest of his life geddit? Losing a business partner around Christmas time could not have been easy. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in A Christmas Carol, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. So we have tried where possible to focus on the most vital sections of the novella. The spirit of Christmas is personified in his open heart, open hand, and outstretched arm. Himself, always. Scrooge's language has been formal and official: here he is informal, natural and joyous. He also argues that Time is precious to me. This is most telling of all: whereas the old Scrooge saw little of value beyond his money hole, now he sees the truth that Time itself is precious; and it is, in fact, the most precious thing we. "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?". The adjectives: genial show his joy/ cheer, sparkling presents tense- has connotations of light and magic and open emphasises his generosity.Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas. Leading up to this moment it appears as if Scrooge already fears that this is the case, but that does not detract from the tension that Charles Dickens can create here. Here, readers are exposed to the ghost of Christmas yet to come. The ghost breaks the news to Scrooge that the person whose death has been talked about so callously was his own. The ribbon for the bookmark should be seven (inches, in) long. The noun unanimity suggests that he is happy to be involved. 5. The description of Marley's ghost has his chain wound about him. A merry Christmas to you.". Christmas is now a time for family, friends and feeling good. Tail has connotations of the devil- reinforcing evil image. Below one can explore the themes, symbols, and more that appear throughout the novel. The noun 'idol' shows that Belle believes Scrooge is so enamoured of money that he worships it. But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! ), phrases like holding a candle for someone mean to remember them, while candles are used in c. Scrooge finishes the stave by putting out the candle, which shows him symbolically putting down his past leaving behind the resentment he has harboured at having lost his childhood to neglect. Stave 2 - Belle breaks off the engagement. Their terrible behaviour is a consequence of the ignorance and want that Dickens personified in stave 3. The repetition of the adjective 'good' reinforces this idea. Hallo!" Click the card to flip Definition 1 / 5 The Ghost of Christmas yet to come is symbolic. Dickens uses the scene to allow the reader to feel sorry for the child 'Scrooge' whose loneliness was not by choice - although the adult Scrooge's is. () The famous phrase Humbug really means either shame or hoax. Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash! The ghost of christmas present is showing the two children that hide in his cloak and he says that the problems these children portray are the problems of mankind. Dickens uses these characters to challenge popular preconceptions that the wealthy had about the poor - preconceptions which led to support for the poor law and the workhouses. Stave 3 - Scrooge's willingness to learn Contrasting similes emphasise his god like figure- he is at once innocent and knowledgeable. Scrooge realises that his love with money is the reason he pushed everyone away. The book also explores what you might call the true meaning of Christmas and while this might not be true from a Christian standpoint, from a morality/spiritual view, you could claim that it really does help to make that point. A Christmas Carol (Key Answers) Chapter 1 1. in Its progressive form. The most clearly religious image though is how it wears a tunic of purest white, as though it is a pure, innocent Angel sent to guide him. Dickens uses Tiny Tim to remind his readers of the story of Jesus performing miracles and his teaching of acceptance of all. I should like to have given him something: thats all., About the Fezziwig family: shaking hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas., Scrooge about Mr Fezziwig: The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune., Belle to Scrooge: Another idol has displaced me., Belle about Scrooge: I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master passion, Gain, engrosses you., Belles husband to Belle about Scrooge: Quite alone in the world, I do believe., There was nothing very cheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of cheerfulness abroad., About the Ghost of Christmas Present: Sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch., About the Cratchits goose: a feathered phenomenon., There never was such a goose. The simile has connotations of stillness and endings. The speaker is clearly fed up with Scrooges behaviour and wants him to get to the end of his journey and realize his mistakes as soon as possible. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. Hes comparing Cratchits actual body temperature to Scrooges personality. Stave 3 - ignorance and want Description of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2, the holly symbolises Christmas. sungiemarie. Dickens was openly opposed to this view and challenges it throughout the novella. The idea that they shake hands with each person 'individually' shows the humanity with which they treat everyone - they do not see the poor as 'creatures' This use of listing to describe everything as 'good' helps to demonstrate the far reaching consequences of Scrooge's redemption. As readers, Dickens is allowing us to reflect on how far Scrooge has come in learning the lesson - and perhaps asking us to reflect on our own learning. These cover themes like wealth, poverty, Christmas, and kindness. In many ways, it is the child who can most tug on Scrooges heartstrings. They often came down handsomely, and Scrooge never did. However, some of the scenes are to help develop Scrooges character and add backstory. Stave 1 - Scrooge's rponse to being asked to give money to charity, "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.". For example, the first ghost is a metaphor for how memories and the past shape ones experience, while the last ghost is a metaphor for death and ones legacy. Arguably, this is the most famous quote from A Christmas Carol. QUOTES THAT SHOW POVERTY IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Macbeth quotes, Key quotes from Macbeth, Macb, 2019 GCSE AQA Triple Higher Biology Paper 2 (, Paper 2 Chemistry Topics 6-10 TRIPLE AQA GCSE, Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar Grade 8, Grammar Exercise Workbook, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, California (Grade 9, Volume 1), myPerspectives: American Literature, California Volume 2, Holt McDougal Literature: American Literature Grade 11, Texas Edition. "I am light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. There is no doubt . A Christmas Carol - Quotes and Analysis Stave 1 Stave 2 Stave 3 Stave 4 Stave 5 ( ) The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner. Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. A description of the ghost of Christmas past, who symbolises memory and who shows scrooge events from the past. The workers will be repairing the building. He did it all and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father., He knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the Knowledge.. Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes a effort with scrooge. For a start, there is the use of ghosts throughout. Hallo!". Themes= poverty/family/greed and generosity. 6. Fezziwg really represents what Scrooge has and what he could (and eventually does) become. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. Stave 3 - Tiny Tim Of course, the suggestion that people might be talking about him is beastly to Scrooge. Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late Fezziwig's office has a large fire which adds to the welcoming atmosphere, offering the reader an additional opportunity to compare it to Scrooge's cold office with the meagre fire. The ghost of Christmas presents it sitting on a throne of food. Y. This is to illustrate to the rich that they can be part of the solution, Dickens was of the belief that things in society could change and this was something he wished to portray to people to ensure they didn't lose hope, Stave 2: 'I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now', Stave 4: 'Fear you more than any other spectre I have seen. He has learned his lesson and been transformed from darkness into light - which is reflected in the world around him. The problem is internal, within Scrooges heart. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. I am as giddy as a drunken man. If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. He carried his own low temperature always about with him', 'No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him', 'It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal', 'Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. The ribbons are her means of dressing more festively. Pre-modified adjectives create a sensory description -they remind scrooge of the delights of generosity and how it will create happiness. ". When it was made you were another man. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. ', Where the portly gentlemen explain to Scrooge about the plight of the poor and the responsibility of the rich to deal with it, In Stave 5, Scrooge begins to redeem himself for all the terrible things he did in the past, Victorian society was still extremely religious at this point and they believed strongly in the impact of sin upon the treatment of one in the afterlife, The way that Scrooge worships money would have been considered as sinful at the time as it is in a way idolising something that is not the holy lord, Stave 5: 'that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge', Stave 1: 'A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping clutching, covetous old sinner! Analysis. Invite Scrooge to come for Christmas dinner 4. The metaphor shows he is rigid in his unfeeling behaviour to others. forgiving- "to Mr Scrooge, the founder of the feast.". No Way- he tells them that the poor should go and die then there would be less people in the world. ', 'I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! A Christmas Carol Quotes 50 of the best book quotes from A Christmas Carol 01 Share "God bless us every one!" Charles Dickens author God person A Christmas Carol book Tiny Tim character christmas blessings concepts 02 Share "Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering." Charles Dickens author Im sure you will all e familiar with the one percent statistic. I think he wanted to make it accessible to all classes so he could better spread his message. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! "Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.". ', 'Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts". Oh, glorious! A merry Christmas to everybody! They are likely to be of even higher class than Scrooge but are choosing to do good for the poor. Stave one About Scrooge: "As solitary as an oyster." "External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge." "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." "Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it." This is said by criminals who plundered/ stole from scrooge after he died. Whoop! Seven Years 3. ', People with lots of money already are more likely to be greedy for more, not thinking about sharing that money with others effectively. Fred represents the spirit of Christmas and carries Dickens' message about collective responsibility and how we should treat one another. Flint is a type of ground that makes it difficult for life to grow kind of like how scrooges character allows no imaginations to grow. I am as giddy as a drunken man., Scrooge was better than his word. Dickens though that this was wrong and aimed to change perception, 'Mankind was my business. We can infer that the only other person he cared for was Marley and even that wasn't really because of a friendship. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your company and do it with a thankful heart', Stave 1: 'He tried to say 'Humbug!' Partially because of the nature of its main character. The verb 'shrouded' makes explicit reference to death which is reinforced by the 'deep black' of its clothes. Here in this quote, one can see Dickens playing with literal and figurative meanings to great effect. 'A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire'. If you watch any of the adaptations of A Christmas Carol Tiny Tim is almost always one of the loveable characters and with good reason. I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. Home Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Themes and Analysis. Although their behaviour is callous and cruel, the italicised personal pronoun he reminds us that scrooge (and the rich) are partly to blame fro the behaviour of the poor. A foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. The declarative 'will' conveys certainty showing how urgent it is that Scrooge change. 'Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons'. I am as giddy as a drunken man. Does this line support or contradict the speaker's statement in the final stanza, "Nothing really happened"? The ghost is dressed in green reminiscent both of the Green Man from Pagan mythology, and also the traditional character of St Nicholas or Father Christmas, who has more recently come to symbolise the holiday period. "It was long and wound about him like a til.". Though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! I can't afford to make idle people merry.". The clerks sprinting home juxtaposes Scrooge's dinner in a melancholy tavern. Scrooge's grave, by comparison to Tiny Tim's is 'overrun by weeds'. This is clearly not possible. For characters like Fred and Bob Cratchit, Christmas represents the Christian ideal of goodness and moral prosperity, but Scrooge is at his most miserly when Christmas is mentioned. The idea that anybody would be so callous about the dead is quite jarring and would have been especially impactful with a conservative Victorian readership. But it does share a lot of gothic conventions. The noun phantom has negatives connotations in contrast to the more positive spirits - once again, warning scrooge of his fate if he doesn't change his ways. however, her reference to their father suggests that he had not been kind in the past, thus reinforcing our sympathy. Stave 4 - the final ghost It is really in this Stave that Dickens brings to life the Christmas that we all know and love today: the food, the presents, the games, the snow, and good feeling, the parties and generosity. Stave 5 - The response of the portly gentleman to the money Scrooge wants to give him: Scrooge was better than his word. Then write the form of that verb Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with key quotes and analysis relating to the theme of 'Christmas'. Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror he viewed them with a detestation and disgust. The synonyms 'alone' and 'by himself' emphasise again the loneliness of the life he has chosen. Tiny Tim is frequently referred to in Christian terms - as though his true goodness is close to God. Whatever the genre. This shows scrooges selfishness and his addiction to money with belle feeling replace with money she feels like she doesnt matter to him and that all he cares about is money. This has a double meaning both as a sympathetic term of endearment and also the fact that thanks to Scrooge the man is literally poor. The adjective dismal connotes a lack of light and hopeless atmosphere. ". There is no magic formula to revision but this three-point

Lynbrook High School Yearbook, Arizona Digestive Health Dr Patel, Articles C