A Christmas Carol Flashcards
GoC present appearance.
He was a “jolly giant” who a wearing a ‘green robe” and had a “holly wreath on his head”
Represents Father Christmas, this furthers the idea that the Ghost in meant to represent Christmas spirit. He is the embodiment of Christmas spirit.
What does the GoC present have which is empty?
He has an “antique scabbard” which has “no sword in it”
Adj suggests it’s old and has not been used in a long time. There is no sword in the scabbard suggesting there is no place for conflict during Christmas, it appears as a symbol of peace. This presents Christmas as a time for love and happiness which Scrooge must understand in order to undergo a journey to redemption.
What does the GoC present hold?
He “bore a glowing torch in shape not unlike Plenty’s horn”
Motif of light continued-links to light portrayed through the GoC past.
“Plenty”=Greek God of generosity, so Plenty’s horn symbolises abundance in Greek and Roman mythology.
Quote to show that Scrooge was willing to learn a lesson from the GoC present.
“Tonight if you have aught to teach me a lesson, let me profit by it”
“Profit”=financial term suggests Scrooge sees the value in the Ghosts This portrays his change as this reaction is different to the GoC past, who he would not listen to.
How do the poor suffer every seventh day?
“You would deprive them of their means of dinning every seventh day”
Everything shuts down on Sundays, poor rely on buying warm food from bakery’s, they have no ovens so have to eat cold food on Sundays. Scrooge shows some care here.
Quote that shows the GoC present can fit in any room.
“He could accommodate himself to any place with ease”
Conveys Ghost is the embodiment of Christmas spirit, he is not selective, he shares this with everyone. Reveals dickens belief that everyone should enjoy it no matter how wealthy they are, bourgeoisie have he social responsibility to help those struggling.
“Oh! But he was a _________ hand a the _________”
‘Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone”
Compound adjective “tight-fisted” suggests he is a miser (doesn’t share his wealth) and he is greedy.
‘Grindstone’ is a piece of machinery, he is being compared to this which reveals he has n feeling/he is emotionless. Scrooge has a strong work ethic as he is constantly working. We know this because a grindstone ill not work if you do not have your hand on it. Conveys his loneliness as he is always working.
Scrooge is described as “a _______, wrenching, _________, scraping, clutching, covetous old ________!”
“Squeezing’ “grasping” “sinner”
Asyndetic list conveys an infinite list of negative words to describe Scrooge, they are his flaws. “Sinner” links to context, religion was important and Scrooge is disobeying God by being selfish when he should be benevolent. “Covetous” reinforces his selfishness and secrecy, also describing him as “old” guests he is stubborn and possibly less willing to change.
“Hard and _______ as ______ from which no steel had ever struck out______ fire”
“Sharp” “flint” “generous”
Simile dehumanises Scrooge suggesting he lacks feelings like a stone.
The adjective “sharp” evokes a snappy, harsh tone. It could convey the aggression in his words or his intelligence as ‘sharp’ could be perceived as ‘sharp minded’ which means quick-witted.
Fire symbolises warmth, revealing Scrooge has never done anything for another human unless it benefits him. But the phrase ‘had never’ suggests he could eventually give out generous fire. Persistence could work on Scrooge and change him, Dickens intends for readers to realise that if Scrooge can change then anyone can.
Quote from stave 1 to show Scrooge is isolated.
“Secret and self-contained and solitary as an oyster”
Sibilance suggests he is sinister and evil portraying him as the antagonist, to make readers dislike him in order to change their own actions. His loneliness and misanthropy is conveyed here. Simile compares him to an oyster which has a hard/tough exterior but could have something valuable inside. This reveals Scrooge has good within even if it s difficult to find. ‘Self-contained’ is a compound adjective adding to his parsimonious and miserly nature.
Quote from stave 1 about Scrooge linking to temperature.
“The cold within him froze his old features”
Metaphorically suggests Scrooge is cold-hearted. Cold links to the time of the year which is Christmas. Dickens sets the novella at Christmas as it is seen as the most philanthropic time of the year.
The use of fricatives express harsh sounds mirroring Scrooge as a character.
The verb ‘froze’ connotes something that is unchangeable at that moment in time, however could eventually melt/thaw. Again
