A Christmas Carol : Family

Question 1

What was Dickens’ greater agenda in exploring family as a theme in A Christmas Carol?

Answer 1

To popularise an emotional element to Christmas

Question 2

Why was the theme of family contextually significant during the Victorian era?

Answer 2

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had nine children and their family was idealised, making readers more receptive to Dickens’ presentation

Question 3

How does Dickens present the theme of family in A Christmas Carol?

Answer 3

As embodying joy, strength and affection

Question 4

What does Scrooge represent at the beginning of the novella in relation to family?

Answer 4

The complete antithesis (direct opposite) to family values

Question 5

What may have contributed to Scrooge’s initially abhorrent characterisation?

Answer 5

The absence of family

Question 6

How does Fred’s arrival affect the atmosphere in Scrooge’s counting-house? (Stave One)

Answer 6

He brings warmth, as he “heated himself” and looked to be in “a glow”

Question 7

What is significant about Fred’s warmth affecting Scrooge? (Stave One)

Answer 7

It suggests Fred’s virtue is stronger than the forces of nature - highlighting the power of family

Question 8

Who isolates Scrooge from his family?

Answer 8

Scrooge isolates himself

Question 9

How does Scrooge isolate himself from Fred? (Stave One)

Answer 9

He refuses Fred’s invitation to dine with him on Christmas

Question 10

What does Scrooge realise about family at Fred’s party? (Stave Three)

Answer 10

That if he had experienced a loving family “years ago” he might have “cultivated the kindness of life”

Question 11

What idea does this realisation present about family?

Answer 11

That a supportive family is instrumental in the development of a person

Question 12

Why did Dickens construct the Cratchits as a large family?

Answer 12

Large families were prevalent in the nineteenth century and would be relatable to readers

Question 13

How does Dickens idealise the Cratchit family?

Answer 13

By focusing on their unity, happiness and strength despite financial struggles

Question 14

What idea does the Cratchit family’s happiness convey?

Answer 14

That poverty is not a barrier to happiness

Question 15

What descriptive detail shows the joy in the Cratchit household? (Stave Three)

Answer 15

Even the potatoes “knocked loudly…to be let out”

Question 16

How does Tiny Tim’s funeral demonstrate the value of family? (Stave Four)

Answer 16

The family comes together to provide him with a loving funeral

Question 17

What happens to Scrooge’s body after death in the vision? (Stave Four)

Answer 17

It lay “unwatched, unwept, uncared for”

Question 18

What literary device emphasises Scrooge’s isolation after death? (Stave Four)

Answer 18

Alliteration

Question 19

What message does the contrast between Tiny Tim’s funeral and Scrooge’s death convey?

Answer 19

That family is more important than money

Question 20

How does Dickens show that family is essential for everyone?

Answer 20

By emphasising its value through even minor characters, suggesting it should be interwoven into everyone’s lives

Question 21

What technique does Dickens use to emphasise the abundance of family when describing children meeting relatives? (Stave Three)

Answer 21

Extensive listing of “sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts”

Question 22

What effect does this listing have on our understanding of Scrooge?

Answer 22

It further emphasises Scrooge’s isolation

Question 23

How do even geographically isolated characters connect with family? (Stave Three)

Answer 23

Miners gather with “cheerful company” and sailors remember “those he cared for”

Question 24

What does Fanny tell Scrooge about their father when she comes to take him from school? (Stave Two)

Answer 24

That he is now a “kinder” man

Question 25

What simile does Fanny use to describe their home? (Stave Two)

Answer 25

She says it feels "like heaven"

Question 26

What does this simile emphasise about family?

Answer 26

The great power family can have

Question 27

How does Scrooge react before Fanny arrives at the school? (Stave Two)

Answer 27

He glances "anxiously at the door" and "mournfully" shakes his head

Question 28

What effect did Fanny's death have on Scrooge's character?

Answer 28

It had a profound negative effect on his personality

Question 29

How does Scrooge react after being reminded of Fanny's kindness? (Stave Two)

Answer 29

He becomes "uneasy" and begins to reflect on his relationship with Fred

Question 30

What metaphor does Belle use to describe what has replaced her in Scrooge's affections? (Stave Two)

Answer 30

A "golden" idol

Question 31

What does the "golden idol" refer to? (Stave Two)

Answer 31

Scrooge's passion and pursuit of money

Question 32

What opportunity has Scrooge lost by choosing money over relationships?

Answer 32

The opportunity to kindle love and start his own family

Question 33

What pitiful sentiment does Scrooge express when seeing Belle with her children? (Stave Two)

Answer 33

He questions what it would have been like to have children who "called him father"

Question 34

What realisation does this sentiment imply Scrooge has reached?

Answer 34

That family is more important than money

Question 35

How do you spell the literary device where words begin with the same sound?

Answer 35

A-L-L-I-T-E-R-A-T-I-O-N

Question 36

How do you spell the term for when something is the complete opposite?

Answer 36

A-N-T-I-T-H-E-S-I-S

Question 37

How do you spell the word that describes Scrooge's early characterisation?

Answer 37

A-B-H-O-R-R-E-N-T

Question 38

How do you spell Scrooge's nephew's name?

Answer 38

F-R-E-D

Question 39

How do you spell the name of Scrooge's sister?

Answer 39

F-A-N-N-Y

Question 40

How do you spell the name of Scrooge's former fiancée?

Answer 40

B-E-L-L-E

Question 41

How do you spell the literary technique where one thing is compared to another using 'like' or 'as'?

Answer 41

S-I-M-I-L-E

Question 42

How do you spell the term for the symbolic attribution of human characteristics to something non-human?

Answer 42

P-E-R-S-O-N-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N

Question 43

How do you spell the name of Bob Cratchit's ill son?

Answer 43

T-I-N-Y T-I-M

Question 44

Which character most embodies the joyful side of family in the novella?

Answer 44

Fred

Question 45

Which family is presented as a relatable presentation of the lower class?

Answer 45

The Cratchit family

Question 46

In which stave does Scrooge visit Fred's Christmas party?

Answer 46

Stave Three (with the Ghost of Christmas Present)

Question 47

What happens to Scrooge's view of family throughout the novella?

Answer 47

He realises its importance and his life becomes enriched when he embraces Fred and the Cratchits

Question 48

What historical context influenced Dickens' emphasis on family in the novella?

Answer 48

Changing ideas about family during the Victorian era and the royal family's influence

Question 49

What qualities does Dickens suggest family provides?

Answer 49

Joy, strength, affection and unity

Question 50

What is the significance of Scrooge becoming a "second father" to Tiny Tim? (Stave Five)

Answer 50

It shows his complete transformation and embracing of family values

Question 51

What literary device is used when the potatoes are described as knocking to be let out? (Stave Three)

Answer 51

Personification

Question 52

Why does Dickens present the Cratchits as happy despite their poverty?

Answer 52

To show that true happiness comes from family bonds rather than material wealth

Question 53

What does Fred say about the value of Christmas when he visits Scrooge? (Stave One)

Answer 53

That it is "a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time"

Question 54

How does the Ghost of Christmas Present describe Scrooge's previous rejection of family? (Stave Three)

Answer 54

As a "proud" man failing to grasp "the great ends of life"

Question 55

What does Scrooge witness about the Cratchit family after Tiny Tim's death? (Stave Four)

Answer 55

They are "quiet" and "very quiet" yet support each other through their grief

Question 56

What is implied when Scrooge sees his schoolboy self "alone again" at Christmas? (Stave Two)

Answer 56

That his isolation from family began in childhood

Question 57

How does Dickens describe Scrooge's final reunion with Fred? (Stave Five)

Answer 57

Fred was "thunderstruck" but then greeted him with "wonderful heartiness"

Question 58

What lesson about family does Marley's ghost represent? (Stave One)

Answer 58

The failure to connect with fellow humans in life leads to suffering in death

Question 59

What is revealed about Scrooge's early family life through the scene with his father? (Stave Two)

Answer 59

That his father was unkind but later became more loving

Question 60

What role does the memory of Fanny play in Scrooge's transformation?

Answer 60

It reconnects him with past familial love and reminds him of his responsibility to Fred

Question 61

How does Dickens contrast family celebration with isolation? (Stave Three)

Answer 61

Through juxtaposed scenes of family gatherings and Scrooge observing them, unable to participate

Question 62

What significant action does Scrooge take regarding the Cratchits in Stave Five?

Answer 62

He increases Bob's salary, becomes generous to the family, and a "second father" to Tiny Tim