A Christmas Carol grade 9 key words Flashcards
What is the meaning of archetypal villain? + example sentence
A main character who is presented as evil and unlikeable
E.g. In stave 1, Scrooge is presented as an archetypal villain as he is disgusted at the idea of giving to the poor whilst simultaneously ostracises himself from society
What is the meaning of anti-malthusian? + example sentence
The novel was written against Malthusian beliefs
E.g. Dickens creates an anti-Malthusian tale to highlight the detrimental impact of holding these ignorant beliefs. He examples how the suffering and plight of the poor is synonymous with these unjustifiably prejudice beliefs
What is the meaning of apathetic? + example sentence
Showing no interest
E.g. Scrooge’s apathetic nature towards the poor is clear in stave 1. He holds Malthusian views by branding them as the ‘surplus population’ and sees them as an inconvenience in society
What is the meaning of allegory? + example sentence
A story, poem, or art used to explore a deeper meaning (normally a social, moral, or political one)
E.g. Dickens constructs an allegorical tale in which he aims to be didactic about the need for a collective social conscience to abolish poverty. He creates his allegorical characters to highlight that neglection from society is synonymous with the suffering of the destitute
What is the meaning of catharsis? + example sentence
Relief from strong emotions
E.g. Scrooge’s plead for redemption and salvation from the ghost of Christmas yet to come, results in him experiencing catharsis in stave 5 - he realises he is no longer subject to this irreversible doom, instead can become an altruistic and philanthropic member of society
What is the meaning of abundance? + example sentence
A large amount of something
E.g. The ghost of Christmas present is a symbol of abundance. His throne, made of an immense amount of food, directly indicts the Malthusian view of the scarcity of supply
What is the meaning of catalyst? + example sentence
Something that spurs on/encourages something else
E.g. The ghosts catalyse a change within Scrooge. He becomes the epitome of a model citizen: compassionate and benevolent
What is the meaning of covetousness? + example sentence
Wishing to have something and/or being envious if somebody else acquires this
E.g. Scrooge’s covetousness is explored as he is described as a ‘covetous’ sinner, signifying that he lacks gratitude and wilfully embodies sin
What is the meaning of destitute? + example sentence
Extreme poverty
E.g. The Cratchits are emblematic of the destitute families that worked hard during the Victorian era but were ceaselessly oppressed and exploited. They help carry Dickens message about the injustice that pervaded Victorian society, particularly the victimisation of the poor and children
What is the meaning of dehumanising? + example sentence
Treating a person as if they are not a human being
E.g. The dehumanising treatment of the poor is explored through the allegorical characters of ignorance and want. The animalistic presentation of the children highlights that the dehumanising treatment of them from the upper classes has resulted in them having closer resemblance to animals than humans
What is the meaning of didatic? + example sentence
Intended for teaching purposes. Normally teaching a moral message or prompting people to take action
E.g. Dickens’ didactic novella intends to critique the vast amounts of social injustice that plagued Victorian society. Most significantly, the injustice towards innocent children who lived in poverty
What is the meaning of exploitative? + example sentence
To unfairly take advantage of a person, especially those who are vulnerable
E.g. Dickens shuns the exploitative nature of the upper class through creating Marley as a symbol of the consequences of exploiting others and idolising money. This is also exemplary through Scrooge who exploits Bob Cratchit - he underpays him and makes him work in horrific conditions
What is meant by emblematic? + example sentence
Means being symbolic
E.g. Scrooge is emblematic of the upper-class misers who value money over the collective well-being of others in society
What is meant by enlightenment? + example sentence
Deeper understanding of something that gives a new insight into life
E.g. Scrooge becomes enlightened by stave 5. His old frugal and pessimistic view on the world has been completely shattered and replaced with benevolence
What is meant by frugal? + example sentence
Stingy and tight with their money or supplies
E.g. Marley and Scrooge are frugal as they are reluctant to use their wealth to help anybody but themselves. Dickens shows this is a punishable offence and will be eternally punished in hell. Being frugal in life on earth will lead to eternal damnation
What is meant by foil? + example sentence
A character who is the opposite to another in order to highlight the others characteristics
E.g. Fred is a foil to Scrooge as his benevolence and jubilant e juxtaposes Scrooge’s misanthropic and apathetic nature. This is further shown through the motif of light as Fred’s description is filled with imagery of light, yet Scrooge’s is surrounded with darkness
What is meant by humanitarianism? + example sentence
To promote human well-being and reduce suffering of others
E.g. The ghosts help Scrooge transform by seeing the immense positive value of humanitarianism. By stave 5, Scrooge can be seen as a humanitarian as he practices benevolence and aims to reduce the suffering of others
What is meant by hypocrisy? + example sentence
Claiming to have certain belief than going against that belief. it is appearing to be one thing/ or believe one thing, then doing the opposite
E.g. Dickens exposes the hypocrisy within Victorian society. They are condemning of the poor, putting laws in place to vilify the poor, yet the poverty is perpetuated by the same individuals who are putting these inhumane laws in place.
The 1834 poor law being exemplary of this
What is meant by magnanimous? + example sentence
Being generous, kind and giving
E.g. Fred is the epitome of a magnanimous individual. He allows the reader to measure Scrooge’s redemption by how alike he is to the compassionate and magnanimous character of Fred- Scrooge’s redemption is confirmed for the reader when he appears akin to Fred in his nature
What is the meaning of misanthropic? + example sentence
A person who dislikes human interaction and aims to avoid society
E.g. Scrooge epitomises misanthropy as he wilfully ostracises himself from society to avoid any human sentiment and emotion
What is the meaning of miser? + example sentence
Somebody who does not like to spend their wealth and wants to spend as little money as they can
E.g. Scrooge is presented as a Victorian miser. He refuses to heat up his office, leaving Bob Cratchit to freeze, despite having the financial means too. He also loves darkness as it is “cheap”, reinforcing how he prefers to be miserable then to spend money
What is the meaning of microcosm? + example sentence
A person or place showing the characteristics of something larger
E.g. The Cratchits are a microcosm of the plight of the poor and endless struggles they endure. Alternatively, Scrooge is microcosmic of the ignorant upper class that remain in a state of oblivion just so they can escape their moral duties in society
What is the meaning of ostracised? + example sentence
Exclusion from society
E.g. Scrooge wilfully ostracises himself from society so he can isolate himself in his own protect bubble of misery - he refuses to interact with individuals in society. His ostracisation is so successful, even the weather refuses to be associated with him
What is the meaning of oppression? + example sentence
Continuous horrible treatment and abuse- particularly one that makes a person feel inferior
E.g. Scrooge’s relationship with Bob at the beginning of the novella could be emblematic of the oppression the poor faced from the upper class. Scrooge relentlessly mistreats Bob, the only reason being because he was poor, thus showing how the upper class continually oppressed the lower class. This being reinforced through Bob’s lack of speech in Stave 1, showing how he has been silenced in his oppression