A Christmas Carol Flashcards
What is the purpose of the novel?
ACC is a political diatribe written by Dickens to “strike the heaviest blow on poverty and social injustice”, whilst dispelling the common Malthusian views of upper classes during the Industrial Revolution. He does this through the education of his readers. He also aims to celebrate human spirit, togetherness and faith.
What quotations represent Scrooge’s initial isolation?
“Secret, and self contained, and solitary as an oyster.”
“External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge.”
What/who is Scrooge emblematic of?
The upper classes of Victorian society who held selfish and ignorant Malthusian beliefs.
What quotations highlight Scrooge’s Malthusian views?
“[Die to] Decrease the surplus population.”
“I can’t afford to make idle people merry.”
“Are there no prisons?”
“It’s not my business,”
What is the purpose of Scrooge’s character in the novel?
Scrooge represents common Malthusian views of the upper class society. He is constantly ridiculed by Dickens, who uses this to associate ignorance with those same Malthusian beliefs: to encourage his readers to reflect on their own attitudes towards the poor. However, Scrooge is represented as extremely unlikeable at first, but he has redemption as the novel progresses, which Dickens uses to communicate to his readers that anyone, no matter how extremist, can change - giving them inspiration to do the same.
What semantic fields are used when Scrooge is initially described?
The cold/ice : “A frosty rime was on his head.” “He carried his own low temperature always about with him.”
Hard materials: “Hard and sharp as flint.”
What is significance of the of the quotation: “Hard and sharp as flint”?
By comparing Scrooge to flint, Dickens highlights how his personality is incredibly sharp and cold. However, flint has the potential to create fire, connoting that Scrooge has the potential for both redemption and generosity. (As light and fire represent reclamation and togetherness in the novel).
Symbolism: What does fire represent in the novel?
Togetherness, warmth and hope. It may also signal emotional prosperity.
Symbolism: What does light represent in the novel?
Redemption, reclamation, hope, truth, being guided.
Symbolism: What does cold represent in the novel?
Isolation, alienation, emotional detachment/trouble.
What is the purpose of the Cratchits?
Dickens uses the Cratchits to gain sympathy from the readers, showing their idealistically good traits to present them as likeable, hardworking and deserving characters. This humanises the poor as a group and forces the readers to reevaluate any harmful stereotypes they had towards those in poverty.
What quotations represent the closeness of the Cratchits?
“Bob had hugged his daughter to his heart’s content.”
What quotation shows Scrooge’s empathy for the Cratchits starting to develop?
“Oh no, kind spirit! say he will be spared.” [Tiny Tim]
What quotations show the resourcefulness and gratefulness of the Cratchits?
“Brave in ribbons.”
“Universal admiration.”
“Feathered phenomenon.”
“Rejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired.”
“They were happy, grateful, pleased with one another and contented with the time.”
What is the significance of the quotation “Active little crutch”?
The use of the adverb “active” has connotations of working hard and being productive, the opposite of stereotypes of the idle poor. The fact that Tiny Tim is “active” shows that he does have value despite his disability.
