A Christmas Carol Flashcards
What does the quote “Are there no prisons? … And the Union workhouses?”Scrooge, Stave 1 show
Scrooge displays an uncaring attitude towards the poor, revealing his ignorance of their plight and his flawed views on how to solve poverty issues.
What does the quote “the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle” show
Bob Cratchit’s impoverished working conditions symbolize the plight of the poor, underscoring Scrooge’s cruel exploitation of the lower classes.
What does the quote Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner” Narrator, Stave 1 show
Dickens presents Scrooge and Marley’s relationship as purely business-oriented, lacking true friendship or affection.
What does the quote “Mrs Cratchit made the gravy … Master Peter mashed the potatoes … Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce …” Narrator, Stave 3 show
The Cratchits’ united efforts in preparing their Christmas meal highlight the importance of family and its centrality to people’s lives.
What does the quote “God bless us every one!” Tiny Tim, Stave 5 show
This quote conveys Dickens’s message of equal opportunity for all and the importance of looking after one another in society.
What does the quote “I am light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am giddy as a drunken man” Scrooge, Stave 5 show
These quotes illustrate Scrooge’s transformation from avarice to benevolence, conveying the universal message that everyone is capable of redemption.
What does the quote “… every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart” Scrooge, Stave 1 show
Scrooge’s violent and hyperbolic language demonstrates his contempt for and aversion towards Christmas, contrasting sharply with his character transformation later in the novella.
What does the quote “My little, little child!” cried Bob. “My little child!” Bob Cratchit, Stave 4 show
Bob’s repeated use of the personal pronoun “my” and his grief over Tiny Tim’s predicted death underscore his deep affection for his son and the impact of his death.
What does the quote “secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster” Narrator, Stave 1 show
The use of sibilance and oyster simile suggests that Scrooge is repressed and emotionally closed , but also foreshadows his character’s transformation (a hidden pearl within).
What does the quote “They are Man’s….This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want.” Spirit of Christmas Present, Stave 3 show
The two children sheltering underneath the Ghost of Christmas Present metaphorically represent the problems society must take care of.
For the theme of Christmas what does the quote “A Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!” cried a cheerful voice. “Bah!” said Scrooge, “Humbug!” Show
This quote shows contrast between Scrooge and his nephew as scrooge despises Christmas and his nephew is full of joy and goodwill.
For the theme of Christmas what does the quote “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” Show
-Anaphora of “I will” sounds like a pledge that Scrooge is making.
-He previously only lived for the future (aiming to become richer), but now realises how the past can shape us too.
-“live” is metaphorical - it’s about learning and changing which is what Scrooge has done.
-The past, present and future could symbolise the Holy Trinity - symbolic in turn of a religious rebirth or commitment to a Christian life.
For the theme of supernatural what does the quote ‘Marley was dead: to begin with’ show
-This paradox sets the novella’s supernatural tone to prepare and intrigue reader for the supernatural elements to come.
-It foreshadows the ghostly visitations and Scrooge’s transformation.
-The colon adds tension by juxtaposing ideas about life and death.
-Dickens is establishing his Christian allegory from the outset by showing that death represents a new beginning and chance of reincarnation or redemption.
For the theme of supernatural what does the quote ‘Shrouded in a deep black garment’ show
-The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is used as a symbol of death.
-The verb ‘shrouded’ shows its face is concealed to reflect the uncertainty of to exacerbate Scrooge’s fear of the unknown.
-Its arrival at this point in the novel suggests Scrooge’s death is imminent but, crucially, Scrooge does not yet know when it will occur.
-From the opening line of the novel, Dickens has blurred the boundaries between life and death.
-Dickens uses the final ghost to suggest the finality of death while also suggesting the inevitability of death can be delayed if a person improves their lifestyle.
For the theme of supernatural what does the quote ‘The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slyly down at Scrooge’ show
-The personification suggests god is ominously disapproving of Scrooge’s life because his lifestyle has become distanced from Christianity.
-The phrase ‘peeping slyly’ has an ominous tone which will make Scrooge feel uneasy and possibly guilty for his selfish and uncharitable ways.
-The adverb ‘always’ suggests god is omnipresent and cannot be avoided.
-Dickens’ novella is a Christian allegory.
-The image of the ‘gruff old bell’ suggests it is quiet because Scrooge has lost touch with religion.
-This prepares the reader for Stave 5 when the bells resound loudly and gloriously to herald Scrooge as a reborn character who has rediscovered his spiritual soul.
