a christmas carol Flashcards
What are dickens intentions with Scrooge
Dickens crafts an allegorical (story with moral message) novella with a didactic purpose, to convey a message about the virulent consequences of avariciousness and frugality in society. He criticises the upper classes for their apathy toward the poor and their pcomplicity in perpetuating dehumanising laws and social structures through ignorance.
Dickens communicates to his upper classes audience the important role of repentance and compassion in creating both personal and societal moral redemption. By holding up a mirror to his reader ship, he prompts them to introspect and assess whether their attributes perpetuate social injustice or contribute to social reform.
In stave 1, Dickens deliberately portrays Scrooge as deeply entrenched in his misanthropic attitudes, highlighting his transformative journey by stave 5. By depicting Scrooge as a microcosm of the upper classes, Dickens demonstrates the potential for change and personal growth, even in individuals with the most entrenched immortality. Ultimately, Dickens emphasises that social reform can be achieved when society is guided by principles of generosity and empathy.
SCROOGE
What does the quote ‘Squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” Stave 1, link to?
- Selfishness/materialism
- Social injustice
- Religious
SCROOGE
‘Squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner Analysis
The asyndetic listing (a list that uses commas rather than the word ‘and’): The asyndetic listing highlights selfish and avaricious character. It portrays Scrooge’s immoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant (no guilt)
“sinner.”
• The use of 7 negative adjectives mirrors how there are 7 deadly sins, known as cardinal sins, which were seen in the bible as the root of all evil. As the foundations of Victorian morality was religion, the parallels between Scrooge and the sins are used by Dickens to highlight how the rich, symbolised by Scrooge, are more inclined towards moral transgression (go against morals) than the poor. Dickens implicitly critiques societal structures, such as the 1834 Poor Law, which were ironically designed to address the perceived sin and laziness of the poor.
• ‘squeezing’ and ‘wrenching’ connotes a struggle: The verbs “squeezing” and
“wrenching” connote a struggle, this illustrates how Scrooge struggles to see the detrimental consequences of his frugality (stinginess and thus, his role in perpetuating social inequality.
• Alternatively, the undertone of a struggle is used by Dickens to illustrate how the avariciousness (greed) of the upper classes directly causes a struggle for the impoverished
SCROOGE
What does the quote ‘He seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head’ link to
- Supernatural
- Redemptin
SCROOGE
What is the quote SWGSCCOS from stave 1
Squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner
SCROOGE
What is the quote HSTE-CABASAPIDUIH from stave 2
He seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head
SCROOGE
‘He seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head’ analysis
• Verb “pressed” and adverb “sudden”: The aggressive verb “pressed.” combined with the rapid adverb “sudden,” delves into Serooge’s immersion in deeply suppressed emotions. He reacts irrationally out of sheer panic, anticipating the prospect of confronting these stifled memories from his past.
- This ethereal figure serves as more than a symbol of Scrooge’s past; it symbolises the supernatural intervention necessary for Scrooge’s spiritual awakening. He wants to place the restrictive ‘cap upon its head in a futile (pointless) attempt to evade (avoid) the necessity of confronting his own humanity and the repercussions of his actions.
- Symbolism of the ghost: The ghost is presented with iridescent imagery as it has a ‘bright clear jet of light’. This symbolism suggests that the ghost aspires to illuminate both the literal and metaphorical darkness in Scrooge’s life through revelation and reflection.
• The ghosts illumination of the past and its interconnected nature to the present, offers Scrooge the chance to embark on a pathway of redemption (save from sin). However, his attempt to cover the ghost with the ‘cap’ signifies his reluctance to embrace this
opportunity for redemption.
SCROOGE
What is the quote “YWS” in Stave 3 describing ignorance and want by the ghost of Christmas present
Yellow, wolish, scowling
SCROOGE
What does the quote “Yellow, wolish, scowling’ in Stave 3 link to
Social injustice
Selfishness
Regret/ redemption
SCROOGE
‘yellow, wolish, scowling’ analysis
-ignorance and want are allegorical characters aim to highlight the unjustified abuse on innocent children as a result of the callous and apathetic attitude of the upper classes
Image on yellow: The colour yellow serves as a stark reminder of the physical sickness and malnutrition endured by neglected children, a consequence of societal neglect and individuals’ obliviousness to social injustice.
• The encounter between Scrooge and these marginalised (insignificant) children illuminates that their poverty and suffering are directly caused by the affluent members of society, epitomised by characters like Scrooge, whose covetousness outweighs their compassion.
- Animalistic image: There is a feral and animalistic portrayal of the children as they’re described as ‘scowling’ and ‘wolfish’. This animalistic image highlights how poverty dehumanises individuals, stripping them of their humanity and reducing them to less than an animalistic state of being.
- Alternatively, Dickens employs Scrooge, an extension of the ignorant wealthy, to encounter the dehumanised poor, illustrating that the only remedy to societal ills is for the rich to acknowledge their role in perpetuating poverty and dehumanising the impoverished.
- This notion is exemplified in Scrooge’s repentance in Stave 3, evident in his use of imperatives like ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live’, showcasing his desperate attempt to reverse his ignorance towards the plight of the destitute, recognising their humanity amidst a society that has treated them in an animalistic way.
SCROOGE
What is the quote IWLITPTPATF. TSOATSSWM from stave 4
I will live in the past, the Present, and the future, The spirits of all Three shall strive within me
SCROOGE
What does the quot ‘I will live in the past, the Present, and the future, The spirits of all Three shall strive within me’ link to
Supernatural
Religion
Regret/redemption
Selfishness
SCROOGE
‘I will live in the past, the Present, and the future, The spirits of all Three shall strive within me’. Analysis
• Religious allusions: The concept of “three” could be a biblical allusion to the three different forms of God within the holy trinity; the father, the son and the holy spirit.
This could emphasise how the three ghosts almost acted as incarnations of God himself- relaying a moral and religious message that penetrated deeply within Scrooge.
• When he speaks of them striving “within me,” it signifies his internalisation of their moral teachings and his desperation to be given the opportunity to embark on the path of salvation and redemption (save from sins).
• Juxtaposition between ‘past, present and future’: The juxtaposing passages of time in “Past, present and future” serve as a symbolic reflection of the stark contrast between Scrooge’s former avaricious (greedy) self and his transformation into a person dedicated to redemption, moral and spiritual enlightenment.
• The passage of time also emphasises his realisation of how his attitude in the “past” and “present” was not only perpetuating his ‘solitary’ existence, but also contributed to the systemic oppression and exploitation of the vulnerable in society
SCROOGE
What is the quote ‘QAB’ ‘MAAS’ in stave 5
‘Quite a baby’ ‘Merry as a school boy’
SCROOGE
What does the quotes ‘Quite a baby’ ‘Merry as a school boy’ link to
Selfishness
Religion
Regret/redemption
Social justice
SCROOGE
‘Quite a baby’ ‘Merry as a school boy’
Analysis
- Infantile language: Scrooge’s infantile self-descriptions indicates his rebirth as he brands himself as a ‘baby’ and ‘schoolboy’. As both a ‘baby’ and a ‘schoolboy’ connote innocence and youth, Scrooge is showcasing how through him repenting for his sins, he has regained his youthful innocence and ability to see the world in an untainted light - he now views it through compassion, kindness and benevolence.
- As being a ‘baby’ is the start of life, this signifies that Scrooge has been reborn as he has gone from a selfish ‘old sinner’ back to the most innocent form of human life - he has had the ultimate rebirth
- Christian ideas of rebirth: The concept of rebirth holds significance in Christianity, symbolising a spiritual renewal and connection with God. This is deeply intertwined with the belief in Jesus Christ’s’ rebirth, which offered salvation to humanity.
• Similarly, Scrooge’s own rebirth may hold the promise of salvation and relief for the less fortunate, as he assumes a paternal (fatherly) role akin to a “second father” to Tiny Tim, embodying compassion and generosity toward those in need.
What are dickens intentions with the Ghosts
• Dickens crafts the ghosts as vehicles for conveying his condemnation (criticism) of the ignorance and callousness (cruelty) prevalent among the materialistic upper classes. Thus, the ghosts serve as Dickens mouthpiece (can’t be in the novel so they speak his beliefs), delivering a powerful message advocating for compassion and societal reform.
- Each ghost introduces a comical and entertaining element, enabling Dickens to subtly yet effectively depict the corrosive impact of greed and apathy. However, through Scrooge’s transformation, Dickens utilises the ghosts to show the potential for reversing this damage. They serve as symbols of positive social change, highlighting the possibility of societal transformation and social justice.
- Time and change serve as an important motifs introduced by Dickens in his allegorical novella through the ghosts. These motifs are used to illustrate the interconnection between the past, present and future, and their influence on the trajectory of societal progress or decline.
JACOB MARLEY
What is the quote IWTCIFIL..IMILBL
‘I wear the chain I forged in life.. I made it link by link’
JACOB MARLEY
What does the quote ‘I wear the chain I forged in life.. I made it link by link’ link to
- selfishness/materialism
- supernatural
- religion
- regret/redemption
- social injustice
JACOB MARLEY
‘I wear the chain I forged in life.. I made it link by link’ analysis
• Symbolism of chains: as chains are made of links, which are all interconnecting, this is alike to how Marley is warning Scrooge that his coveoutness (desire for wealth) and abandonment of compassion for others, are interconnected to his anguish. Marley is symbolic of the eternal consequences of the pursuit of materialism- in his life on earth he shunned poverty, indulging in his avarice (greed), thus in his afterlife he experiences spiritual poverty.
• Moreover, a chain symbolises restriction and entrapment. Through Marley “dragging” the chain, his chain is a conceit for the restricting and eternal consequences of being parsimonious and perpetuating social injustice.
• Personal pronoun: The use of the personal pronoun “T implies that Marley acknowledges with remorse the consequences of his own personal and selfish pursuit of material wealth, leading to his eternal and spiritual damnation.
• He serves as a cautionary tale (warning) not only to Scrooge but also to readers consumed by avarice (greed), highlighting that redemption is inaccessible for those who prioritise materialistic pursuits over altruism (selflessness.
