A Christmas Carol Flashcards
“as ——– as an ——”
“as solitary as an oyster”
Theme: Isolation, Redemption
Context: Describes Scrooge’s character at the start of the novella.
Analysis:
The simile emphasises Scrooge’s self-imposed isolation.
Oysters have hard shells, representing his emotional detachment, but they may contain pearls, foreshadowing his potential for change.
“If they would rather —, they had —— do it, and ——– the s——- p————.”
“If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Theme: Social Responsibility, Cruelty
Context: Scrooge’s response to charity collectors seeking aid for the poor.
Analysis:
Reflects Scrooge’s heartlessness and belief in Malthusian economics (that the poor are a burden).
Highlights Victorian attitudes toward poverty, which Dickens critiques.
This line is later thrown back at Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present, showing his moral growth.
“Tell me I may —— away the ——- on this —–!”
“Tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!”
Theme: Redemption, Fate
Context: Scrooge, terrified by his potential fate, begs the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come for a chance to change.
Analysis:
The verb “sponge” suggests cleansing, symbolising Scrooge’s desperation to erase his past wrongdoings.
Emphasises free will—Scrooge realises he must change his actions to avoid his doom.
“I —- the —– I forged in —-”
“I wear the chain I forged in life”
Theme: Consequences of Actions, Regret
Context: Marley’s ghost explains his suffering as a result of his greed.
Analysis:
The metaphorical “chain” represents the burden of Marley’s past misdeeds, linking actions to consequences.
Warns Scrooge that he, too, is forging his own chain unless he changes.
“I will live in the —-, the ——-, and the ——.”
“I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.”
Theme: Redemption, Change
Context: Scrooge’s vow after his transformation.
Analysis:
A contrast to his earlier rejection of empathy and memory.
Shows his newfound understanding of how past, present, and future shape a person’s life.
“There were a — and —-. —-, meagre, ragged, ——–, wolfish.”
“There were a boy and girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish.”
Theme: Poverty, Social Injustice
Context: The Ghost of Christmas Present introduces Ignorance and Want, personifications of society’s neglect.
Analysis:
Descriptions (“yellow, meagre”) highlight malnourishment and suffering, criticising Victorian neglect of the poor.
“Wolfish” suggests desperation, warning of the dangers of ignoring social responsibility.
“The ——— he gives is quite as great as if it cost a ——-.”
“The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”
Theme: Generosity, Social Responsibility
Context: Spoken by Scrooge’s former apprentice, praising Fezziwig’s kindness.
Analysis:
Contrasts Scrooge’s miserliness with Fezziwig’s generosity.
Reinforces the idea that kindness and goodwill hold more value than wealth.
“——- … I believe that it has done me —- and will do me good; and I say — bless it!”
“Christmas … I believe that it has done me good and will do me good; and I say God bless it!”
Theme: Christmas Spirit, Optimism
Context: Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, defends the joy of Christmas.
Analysis:
Fred represents Dickens’s ideal of Christmas—kindness, generosity, and community.
Contrasts with Scrooge’s cynicism, reinforcing the novel’s key message.
“I am as —– as a ——-, I am as happy as an —–,”
“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel,”
Theme: Redemption, Transformation
Context: Scrooge’s joy after his change.
Analysis:
The similes convey Scrooge’s emotional rebirth, contrasting with his previous heaviness and burdened spirit.
“Angel” suggests divine redemption, reinforcing Dickens’s moral message.
“Scrooge —- to see his poor ——— self as he had used to be.”
“Scrooge wept to see his poor forgotten self as he had used to be.”
Theme: Regret, Self-Reflection
Context: Scrooge, revisiting his childhood, is moved by his past loneliness.
Analysis:
The use of “wept” shows his emotional awakening.
Encourages sympathy for Scrooge, making his transformation more impactful.
“—— with crime, with filth, with ——”
“reeked with crime, with filth, with misery”
Theme: Poverty, Social Injustice
Context: Description of London’s poor districts.
Analysis:
“Reeked” suggests overwhelming suffering.
Highlights Dickens’s critique of social inequality and industrialisation.
“an antique ——–; but no —– was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with —-”
“an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust”
Theme: Peace, Redemption
Context: Description of the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Analysis:
The empty scabbard symbolises peace, reinforcing the ghost’s role as a figure of goodwill.
“Rust” suggests the passage of time, implying that violence and war should be left in the past.
“I —- you more than any —— I have seen.”
“I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.”
Theme: Fear, Fate
Context: Scrooge addressing the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Analysis:
The silent ghost represents the unknown future, terrifying Scrooge.
His fear signals his readiness to change.
“The — came pouring in at every —– and keyhole”
“The fog came pouring in at every chink and keyhole”
Theme: Isolation, Mystery
Context: Opening description of London.
Analysis:
“Fog” symbolises ignorance and secrecy, reflecting Scrooge’s moral blindness.
“No fog, no —-; clear, bright, ——, stirring, cold”
“No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold”
Theme: Change, Rebirth
Context: The weather after Scrooge’s transformation.
Analysis:
The clarity of the air mirrors Scrooge’s renewed perspective.
“every idiot who goes about with ‘—– ——-’ on his lips should be boiled with his own p——-, and buried with a stake of —– through his —–.”
“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.”
Theme: Cruelty, Satire
Context: Scrooge mocking Christmas cheer.
Analysis:
Hyperbolic language emphasises his hostility and misanthropy.
“A solitary —–, ——– by his ——-.”
“A solitary child, neglected by his friends.”
Theme:
Neglect and the effects of poverty
Context:
This descriptive phrase is often used to evoke sympathy for the suffering of the poor, perhaps in relation to Tiny Tim or another disadvantaged child.
Analysis:
The image of a lone, forsaken child underlines the social injustice and isolation wrought by poverty.
It invites the reader to reflect on the human cost of a society indifferent to the needs of its most vulnerable.
“another —-has displaced me… a —— one”
“another idol has displaced me… a golden one”
Theme: Greed, Loss
Context: Belle breaking off her engagement with Scrooge.
Analysis:
“Golden” represents wealth, showing that Scrooge prioritised money over love.
“I will honour ——– in my heart, and try to —- it all the —-”
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year”
Themes: Redemption, Christmas Spirit, Change
Context: Scrooge makes this promise after witnessing his possible future and realising the consequences of his selfishness.
Analysis:
“Honour Christmas in my heart” shows that he now understands Christmas is about kindness, generosity, and goodwill, not just a single holiday.
“All the year” emphasises lasting change, showing true transformation rather than temporary regret.
Links to Dickens’ message that charity and compassion should extend beyond Christmas.
“Bob held his —— little hand in his … and ——- that he might be —– from him.”
“Bob held his withered little hand in his … and dreaded that he might be taken from him.”
Themes: Family, Love, Loss, Social Injustice
Context: Bob Cratchit, devastated, holds Tiny Tim’s hand, fearing his death.
Analysis:
“Withered little hand” highlights Tiny Tim’s fragility and vulnerability, reinforcing the suffering of the poor.
“Dreaded that he might be taken” conveys a universal fear of losing loved ones, making the Cratchits more relatable to Dickens’ audience.
Reflects Dickens’ social critique—Tiny Tim represents innocent victims of poverty, suffering due to society’s neglect.
“Dressed out but —— in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ——-”
“Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons”
Themes: Poverty, Pride, Family Love
Context: Mrs. Cratchit prepares for Christmas dinner, doing her best despite their poverty.
Analysis:
“Twice-turned gown” shows financial hardship—she has had to reuse and alter her clothing to make it presentable.
“Brave in ribbons” suggests dignity and resilience—despite her struggles, she makes an effort to look cheerful for the sake of her family.
Reflects Dickens’ admiration for the working class, who take pride in small joys despite hardships.
“——- was my business.”
“Mankind was my business.”
Theme: Social Responsibility
Context: Marley’s ghost regrets his selfishness.
Analysis:
Emphasises Dickens’s message that people should prioritise helping others over profit.
“Eked out by —– sauce and mashed ——–, it was a ——— dinner for the whole family”
“Eked out by apple sauce and mashed potatoes, it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family”
Themes: Poverty, Gratitude, Family Love
Context: The Cratchits make the most of their small Christmas meal, stretching the food as much as possible.
Analysis:
“Eked out” suggests making do with little, emphasising their financial struggles.
“Sufficient” shows their gratitude—they appreciate what they have, contrasting with Scrooge’s earlier greed.
Dickens uses the Cratchits to highlight the plight of the poor but also to show that happiness comes from love, not wealth.
“There was a — singing a Christmas —–at my door last night. I should like to have given him ———: that’s all.”
“There was a boy singing a Christmas carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that’s all.”
Theme: Regret, Redemption
Context: Scrooge expressing remorse.
Analysis:
Shows his growing awareness of his past cruelty.
“And so, as Tiny Tim ——–, — bless Us, —– One!”
“And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Everyone!”
Theme: Hope, Compassion
Context: The novella’s final line.
Analysis:
Represents Dickens’s vision of Christmas as a time of unity and generosity.
”——– old sinner”
“covetous old sinner”
Theme: Greed, Isolation, Morality
Context: This phrase is part of the narrator’s description of Ebenezer Scrooge in the opening stave.
Analysis:
“Covetous” – suggests extreme greed and desire for wealth, reinforcing Scrooge’s obsession with money. Desires wealth over happiness and always wants what others have.
“Old” – highlights how long Scrooge has been this way, implying his miserly nature is deeply ingrained and bringing him closer to the inevitable grave
“Sinner” – links to Christian morality; his behaviour is not just unpleasant but morally wrong. Goes against the 10 commandments and links to the 7 deadly sins
“as good as —- … and better”
“as good as gold … and better”
Themes: Family, Love, Innocence
Context: Bob Cratchit describes Tiny Tim’s behaviour at church.
Analysis:
“Good as gold” suggests that Tiny Tim is well-behaved and virtuous, despite his illness.
The phrase “and better” implies that Tim’s goodness goes beyond material value, reinforcing Dickens’ message that kindness and family are more important than wealth.
“two tumblers, and a ——- cup without a ——”
“two tumblers, and a custard cup without a handle”
Themes: Poverty, Gratitude, Family
Context: The Cratchit family drinks a toast to Christmas.
Analysis:
Emphasises their poverty—they don’t even have proper glassware for a celebration.
Despite this, they still share joy and love, reinforcing Dickens’ theme that happiness is not dependent on wealth.
“a small ——- for a large ——”
“a small pudding for a large family”
Themes: Poverty, Gratitude, Family
Context: The Cratchit family’s Christmas dinner.
Analysis:
Highlights the Cratchits’ poverty, as their festive meal is meagre.
Despite this, the family remains grateful, contrasting with Scrooge’s greed and discontentment.
Suggests Dickens’ criticism of social inequality and the need for the wealthy to help the poor.
“Marley was —-, to begin with.”
“Marley was dead, to begin with.”
Themes: Supernatural, Redemption, Fate
Context: The novella’s opening line, emphasising the certainty of Marley’s death.
Analysis:
Establishes the supernatural elements of the story—Marley will later return as a ghost.
The blunt tone foreshadows that death and the afterlife will be key themes.
The certainty of Marley’s death makes his later appearance more dramatic, emphasising the idea of divine punishment and redemption.
“Are there no ——-? Are there no ———-?”
“Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”
Themes: Social Responsibility, Hypocrisy, Inequality
Context: Scrooge dismisses charity collectors by suggesting that the poor should go to workhouses. Later, the Ghost throws his words back at him.
Analysis:
Shows Scrooge’s lack of empathy at the start—he believes the poor deserve their suffering.
The Ghost’s repetition of these words forces Scrooge to confront the inhumanity of his beliefs.
Dickens critiques the harshness of Victorian society, particularly how the rich ignore the suffering of the poor.
“I’m not the —- I used to be.”
“I’m not the man I used to be.”
Themes: Redemption, Change, Self-Reflection
Context: Scrooge pleads with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, vowing to change his ways.
Analysis:
Marks a turning point in Scrooge’s character arc—he finally accepts responsibility for his past actions.
Shows that Dickens advocates for personal transformation and moral redemption.
The phrase “not the man” suggests a complete rejection of his former, miserly self.
“I’m as light as a ——-r, I’m as happy as an —–!”
“I’m as light as a feather, I’m as happy as an angel!”
Themes: Redemption, Joy, Transformation
Context: After his visions, Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning, newly reformed.
Analysis:
“Light as a feather” contrasts with the heavy burden Marley’s ghost bore, suggesting that Scrooge has freed himself from the chains of greed.
“Happy as an angel” shows his newfound goodness, implying spiritual salvation.
The contrast with his earlier misanthropy emphasises Dickens’ message that it’s never too late to change.
