A Christmas Carol Flashcards
decrease the SURPLUS population
SURPLUS: adjective of business reflects Scrooge’s obsession with money. Dehumanises poor, seem like number more than people.
Context: Dickens uses Scrooge’s words to argue against Malthus’ views that poverty was inevitable.
No WINTRY weather chill him
WINTRY Adjective: Time of death and decay which reflects his lack of human compassion and generosity.
Scrooge REGARDED everyone with a delighted smile.
REGARDED: verb shows us that, as a result of his experiences, Scrooge has started to treat all the people he encounters with respect. Links to theme of responsibility as he has reflected on his past mistakes and has made a positive change in his behaviour
Scrooge regarded everyone with a DELIGHTED smile.
DELIGHTED: adjective illustrates that Scrooge has made an effort to value each member of society. This would have been quite unusual at the time as there was a real division between those with money and those without it.
Also he now seems to value human experience over materialism, which again links to the theme of responsibility.
This boy is ignorance and this girl is want. BEWARE them both.
BEWARE: verb illustrates to the reader that Dickens believes these qualities caused problems in Victorian society and should be avoided.
A poor excuse for PICKING A MAN’S POCKET every twenty fifth of December
The phrase ‘picking a man’s pocket’ implies that Scrooge believes the working class people are stealing from him and other wealthy employers.
The phantom SLOWLY, GRAVELY, SILENTLY, approached…”
adverbs ‘slowly, gravely, silently’ create a trio which drives home to the reader that the consequences of Scrooge’s actions will haunt him.
