A Christmas Carol Flashcards
In what way does the first ghost appear?
On the knocker of Scrooge’s door
Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
Charles Dickens
Who was the first ghost?
Jacob Marley
What was Scrooge described as being as solitary as?
“He was solitary as an oyster”
What was Scrooge described as being as hard and sharp as?
“He was as hard and sharp as flint”
Analyse the quote
“The cold within him froze his own features”
•Early description of Scrooge
•Metaphor- shows he is rigid in his unfeeling behaviour towards others
•Harsh imagery and symbolism of cold-shows he’s lacking Christmas spirit
•Themes- Greed & generosity/ Christmas
Who is the second ghost that visits Scrooge?
The ghost of Christmas past
Analyse the quote
“I can’t afford to make idle people merry”
•Scrooges words to the charity collectors as he refuses to give to charity
•Adjective “idle”- Reveals Scrooge believes the poor are lazy and to blame for their own situation. This mirrors the Victorian rich’s attitude to the poor
•Themes- Greed & Generosity/ Poverty
Analyse the quote
“It was long and wound about him like a tail”
•Marley haunts Scrooge- This is a description of his chains
•The chains are a metaphor for a punishment for his greedy life
•Simile- has snake like connotations- Marley is a symbol of evil
•”tail” has connotations of the devil- reinforcing evil image
•Themes- Greed & generosity/ time
Analyse the quote
“[he sat] in a dismal little cell”
•Describes Bob’s place of work, shows Scrooges harsh treatment of him
•Adjective “dismal” connotes a lack of light and hopeless atmosphere
•Noun “Cell” has connotations of Bob being imprisoned by Scrooge
•Themes- Poverty/ Greed & generosity
Who is the third ghost that visits Scrooge?
The ghost of Christmas present
Analyse the quote
“His eyes sparkled and his breath smoked”
•Describes Fred who is a symbol of Christmas spirit
•Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes an effort with Scrooge
•Verb “sparkled” has magical and positive connotations, shows Fred is the antithesis of Scrooge
•Christmas/ Greed & generosity/ Family
Analyse the quote
“I wear the chain i forged in life”
•Marley tells Scrooge he is responsible for his punishment- he is suffering the consequences of his actions
•Verb “forged” shows skill and effort- Marley spent his whole life’s time and effort in his greed so is suffering the consequences
•Themes- Greed & generosity/ Time