A Christmas Carol Flashcards
He was solitary as an oyster
Start of play
Stave 1
The image of the oyster is almost perfect for Scrooge at this stage in the book. Like an oyster, he keeps himself to himself, hidden beneath a hard shell that he uses to protect himself from the world.
Marley was dead to begin with
Stave 1
This opening line sets a somber tone, emphasizing the finality of death, which becomes central to the story’s themes of redemption and the afterlife.
Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner.”
The repetition of “sole” highlights Scrooge’s isolation and self-centered nature, hinting at his emotional barrenness.
Stave 1
Bah! humbug!
Scrooge’s iconic dismissal of Christmas as nonsense symbolizes his rejection of joy, generosity, and human connection.
Stave 1
Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”
This rhetorical question shows Scrooge’s cold indifference to the poor, reflecting Victorian attitudes toward social inequality.
Stave 1
A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.”
This description of young Scrooge in his boarding school reveals the root of his isolation and emotional detachment, eliciting sympathy for his character.
Stave 2
There was a boy singing a Christmas carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that’s all.”
This moment of regret marks the first glimpse of Scrooge’s softening heart as he begins to recognize the consequences of his actions.
Stave 2
No more! Show me no more!”
Overwhelmed by the painful memories of his past mistakes, Scrooge’s plea reflects his initial resistance to fully confronting the emotional consequences of his actions.
Stave 2
Come in! and know me better, man!”
The Ghost of Christmas Present’s cheerful and welcoming demeanor contrasts sharply with Scrooge’s coldness, inviting him to embrace the warmth and joy of the festive season.
Stave 3
They are Man’s… And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both.”
The ghost’s warning about Ignorance and Want critiques society’s neglect of education and poverty, calling attention to the dangers of social inequality.
God bless us every one!”
Tiny Tim’s heartfelt exclamation symbolizes hope, faith, and the importance of kindness, even in the face of hardship, contrasting with Scrooge’s earlier selfishness.
Stave 3
Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die?”
host challenges Scrooge’s earlier indifference to the poor, forcing him to reckon with his moral responsibility for others’ lives.
Stave 3
Am I that man who lay upon the bed?”
Scrooge’s horrified realization that the dead man being discussed with indifference is himself highlights the ultimate consequence of his selfish and unkind life.
Stave 4
It’s likely to be a very cheap funeral, for upon my life I don’t know of anybody to go to it.”
callous remarks of others about Scrooge’s death underscore the loneliness and lack of love his life has created, reinforcing the idea that his legacy will be meaningless unless he changes.
Stave 4
“Spirit! Hear me! I am not the man I was.”
This moment of desperation signifies Scrooge’s sincere repentance and his readiness to embrace change, marking a turning point in his transformation
The neglected grave… overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation’s death, not life—‘Ebenezer Scrooge.’”
Scrooge’s unkempt grave serves as a stark metaphor for the emptiness of his existence and the legacy of neglect he will leave behind if he fails to change.
What is the theme family and isolation?
Dickens- family important big family, he had also been isolated
Scrooge is isolated for money leads to lonliness
Relises when he is younger
What is the theme poverty, charity and greed
Porverty of working class contrast with scrooge
Wants the rich to help poor to not go into workhouses becuase of greed
Scrooge changes end of play cratchit family
What is the theme redemption!!!!
Changes on the morning- seen my narritave voice, excitement that he has been given second chance
Scrooges voice is no longer formal but full of colour and life. Whole world has got brighter
He donates money to charity to make up for past behavior.
Raise to bob cratchit
Dickens wants readers to realise that our responsibility to change, cannot be forced
Redmeption benefits society
If scrooge can change, anyone can
What is the theme time?
Time is running out, scrooge change his ways for tiny tim
How events in our past infulence our behavior and how we should live our lifes in present
Contrast with quote “time is money” and how spending time with loved ones more importsnt
What is the theme christmas?
Christmas something to lift spirits once a year, especially people in poverty
New concept when first written
Uses food, gifts and christmas present to portray full of joy
Dickens s
What is the theme supernatural?
The ghosts show
Supernatural/gothic becomign more popular in dickens time
4 ghosts dominating first 4 staves and helps with scrooge transformation
What does parsimonious mean?
Scrooge is very stingy (better than selfish)
What does ostracised mean?
Scrooge has isolated himself from the society (miserable)
What does apatheic mean?
Scrooge has little concern or regard for others
“Squeezing, wrenching, grasping scraping, clutching covetous, old sinner!”
7 adjectives- could be linked to 7 deadly sins
Victorian society, 7 deadly sins are worst sins can commit, set out be God (christianity)
Scrooge- greed, wrath (anger), pride (ego)
Scrooge is sinner foreshadows to eternal punishment (Marley)
What is theme of generosity!!!!,
Links to family, redemption, christmas greed and treatment of the poor
Scrooge is contrast to Fred and Bob cratchit
Cratchits shiw emotional generosity, Tiny tim shows kindness (“God bless us, everyone)”
Ghost of christmas present shows generosity by showing the poor being generous
End of novella-scrooge donates, large tukey to cratchit, raises bob, reconnects with family
Dickens uses it as social responsibility and attiude to poverty
