A Christmas Carol Flashcards
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Carol-song->repeated and not forgotten->stay in the mind of his audience (the ghost of an idea)-‘haunt’ them pleasantly. Allegory- very simplistic metaphor of a Christian story of redemption.
What does Scrooge represent?
The wealthy, aristocratic members of society–>demeanour=selfish.
Through Scrooge, Dickens wanted to reflect the attitudes he opposed to and wanted his readers to acknowledge the true consequences of it “solitary as an oyster”–hard exterior- pearl inside= most valuable luxury is in the heart(generosity and kindness)-greater value that we might accumulate. “Hard and sharp as flint”=though it can be sharp, it has a purpose-fire=warmth
Theme of time
Throughout the novella, time is used as a journey to Scrooge’s redemption. See’s the ghost’s at 1 and wakes at 2am. Past: remembers the happiness. Present: see’s the need to be generous in the present. Future: helps to build a more prosperous and happier future for society as a whole. Society is condensed in the novella.
Time is threatening because of the changed its passing will enact on the traditional society. Bells tolling=reminds Scrooge of the little time left. Chains=visual reminder of the endless prison sentence of purgatory awaiting Scrooge in the after life/ a metaphor for a mental imprisonment+torture
“If they’d rather die, they better do it and decrease the surplus population”
Demonstrates the ideas of THOMAS MALTHUS= he believed that the the increasing society was a concern for the fulfilment and ‘happiness’. Amount of food and money available could not sustain them.
Community
Ghost of Christmas Past shows that you can make people happy with just the effort (not always material gain) as shown in the character, Fezziwig= generous= contrasts with the treatment of Bob Cratchit. Insists that money wasn’t the source of his employees fulfilment- Scrooge begins to realise that he has not followed Fezziwig’s example= there is heart in even a businessman. Exercising authority with kindness. Fred and Scrooge are keen to prioritise others rather than themselves
Fan
Happy to see Fran as shown by the Ghost of Christmas Past in Stave 2- did enjoy family at one point in his life=choice to distance himself as he grew up=good in him which can be redeemed. “Childish eagerness”
Ambiguity of the death of Fan- the happiness inside him seemed to freeze in time= portrayed in the way he treats her son, Fred
Fezziwig
Trip down memory lane- Ghost of Christmas Present. Showed that it is okay to make money as a businessman whilst being fair and happy-element of choice available not only for Scrooge but for readers- what kind of people we want to be. Share the wealth to an extent that others may be happy. Provide contrast with Scrooge’s attitude towards business with ethics. Scrooge is the antithesis of Fezziwig (his employer)-revisit youthful days- industrial revolution
Attitudes of the Fezziwigs
Reminds Scrooge of how his own values diverged greatly from those of someone he once admired-> he is a capitalist but also moderates profit maximisation of kindness, generosity and affection for his employees. A world like the Fezziwigs=transformed (“a positive light”). Just a glimpse of Scrooge’s memories softens his heart
Scrooge’s response to Fezziwig
“Scrooge cries in great excitement” Dickens changes into more positive vocabulary=highlighting the chance of transformation
“Substantial”- associated with size
Scrooge is engrossed by the size of his wealth and forgets the size of generosity and how it can shape others-quality of character-value. Someone like Fezziwig is essential to society. Huge in heart not just material gain
“Organ of benevolence”
Organs=helps us survive. Dickens implies that the desire to do good to others is essential in the purpose of humanity. ‘Specialised’ task of Fezziwig is to critique capitalism and show Victorian people what society should be like. IS HE THE ORGAN SCROOGE IS MISSING?=>links to death IS HE THE ORGAN THAT A CAPITALIST SOCIETY IS MISSING?=society cannot function without benevolence
Belle- “another idol has displaced me”
Belle reiterates the message that despite money, possessions people can be prosperous is emotionally and spiritually- more valuable. Scrooge worships money (“golden one”)-RELIGION “You cannot serve God and money”-financial greed deprives them of eternal happiness in their afterlife (Marley)
Fire- symbolic throughout the novella
Symbol of emotional warmth. Belle- “winter fire”- dispute cold- she provides warmth from her heart.
“Darkness is cheap”- avaricious, keeps money to himself. “Very small fire”=lack of joy and companionship. Stave 5 Scrooge tells Bob to “make up the fires”- change in attitudes
“A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is still there”
Themes of time throughout the play- Scrooge is stuck in time as his past neglect in his childhood encourages his isolation by choice. Harsh impact as a child- young and vulnerable=old- refuses to acknowledge those young and vulnerable (Tiny Tim) as he has suffered when he was a child- in denial–> transformation as he shows a glimpse of sympathy when he asks if Tiny Tim will die= goes against his statements of “decrease the surplus population”-realises the individuals that make up society with generosity and kindness. “Left”-traumatic isolation=motive for him to become miserly=audience- sympathy
“A small matter”
Doesn’t take a lot of money to change society. As said by Belle “displaced”-love and kindness for each other is the most expensive valuable thing u can own. Dickens portrays the message that everyone should contribute to society
