A Christmas Carol Quotes Flashcards
This shows Scrooge’s isolation and cold personality. The simile suggests that Scrooge may not be as ‘cold’ as the reader believes and within, he has the potential to be a valued and kind person. Oysters usually contain a treasurable inside, which may suggest Scrooge does as well. The exaggeration of the ‘s’ sound makes it seems like a hissing and concerning sound.
“Secret, and self contained and as solitary as an oyster”
[stave 1]
This quotation emphasises Scrooge’s cold heartedness and his anger and hatred towards the poor. In the Victorian era, many people fled to London to look for work and couldn’t find it, therefore poverty became a huge problem. It links to Thomas Malthus’ belief, which was the idea that people shouldn’t repopulate so often, to stop poverty and starvation.
“Decrease the surplus population”
[stave 1]
This simile emphasises Scrooge’s joy towards the end of the novella. It is included within a string of similes which compare Scrooge’s happiness to other things. This also develops Dickens’ idea that education destroys Ignorance and Want and therefore, allows you to lead a happy life
“I am as merry as a schoolboy”
[stave 5]
The two charity men say this to Scrooge while kindly asking for donations. It emphasises how the beliefs that the poor are ‘lazy’ aren’t true and how the workhouses and new poor law weren’t fair. It shows the criticism of the new law and Dickens’ opinion.
“The poor and destitute, who struggle greatly at the present time”
[stave 1]
The Ghost Of Christmas Present says this. Dickens’ displays the society’s problems through the bodies of children. Ignorance represents the society’s lack of knowledge, education and blindness to the way they are treated. He argues that if children were educated, they would be able to get a job and earn money.
“This boy is ignorance […] most of all beware the boy”
[stave 3]
It highlights Scrooge’s attitude at the start of the novella. It shows he has a selfish and argumentative approach to it.
“Keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine”
Examples of pathetic fallacy. Scrooge’s attitude is displayed through the weather, which changes from horrible to nice throughout the novella. The word ‘heavenly’ may reflect Dickens’ strong religious and Christian views and how he believed a good Christian is someone who does good deeds, not just follow moral rules.
“It was cold, bleak, biting weather//[…] Golden sunlight; heavenly sky”
[stave 1// stave 5]
This metaphor shows Scrooge’s redemption and change as a person. It shows that Scrooge’s laugh is the first of many to come and in the future, it is described as ‘illustrious’, which shows it is well known and respected.
“Father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs”
[stave 5]
This literary reference/ metaphor compares Scrooge to Laocoon. His stockings are the serpents, which strangle him and his sons. The use of serpents could link to the Bible, in which Adam and Eve are warned in the Garden Of Eden.
“Making a perfect Laocoon of himself”
[stave 5]
The use of this asyndetic list emphasises that there is plenty food to go around, it’s just that the rich don’t share it. It goes against Malthus’ theory that there isn’t enough food to go around. The ‘oysters’ could refer to Scrooge when he was earlier described as one, showing his selfishness and cold heart.
“Mince pies, plum puddings, barrels of oysters…”
[stave 3]
Explore the theme of charity and education within ACC.
Dickens’ grew up in quite poor conditions and couldn’t afford education all his life. This is why he had strong opinions in the thoughts that the rich can change and allow everyone to be treated equally and fair. In 1834, the New Poor Law was introduced, which meant that poor people were required to go to workhouses if they wanted financial support. Dickens’ disagreed with this and tried to change the opinions of others. He believed lack of education was the cause for the poverty, crime and disease as he thought education would allow the poor to gain self-respect and improve their lives.
Why was Christmas viewed as a ‘kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time’?
It was viewed as one of the only times a year where many people tried to help the less fortunate. We see the Cratchits, who show love and support all year round, and Dickens thought this should be like that for everyone. During Christmas time, people were shown as more generous and ‘child-like’
Why is redemption a main theme within the novella?
Redemption is a main theme because it shows how the choice to change doesn’t only impact you, but the full society around you. Scrooge seemed unable to change during stave 1, however by the end, he has a different behaviour towards others. This reflects Dickens’ views on Christianity (that it should be about practical kindness) as Scrooge doesn’t worship, only change his attitude.
Describe the emphasis on the importance of family throughout the novella.
Family is shown to be a thing of happiness throughout ACC. The Cratchit’s, despite not having much money, are viewed as a ‘perfect’ family because they’re close and supportive. They are all happy, unlike Scrooge, who pushes his family away. This leads to him becoming a selfish and lonely person.
How does the visits of the Ghosts drive the plot forwards?
The reader is made aware that the ghosts only have limited amount of time to get their message across to Scrooge. This builds tension and drama.
