A Christmas Carol (Redemption)

Question 1

Key points on how Dickens presents and uses the theme of redemption and change in ‘A Christmas Carol’?

Answer 1

-its never too late to seek out and make amends for past behaviour
-Scrooges journey from a bitter, misanthrope to a benevolent figure amplify’s message of potential for personal metamorphosis
-ghosts are catalysts for reflection (encourages Scrooge to confront mistakes of the past, reevaluate his present and rewrite his future)

Question 2

What two quotes that shows the theme of redemption, use the temperature motif of fire?

Answer 2

‘Scrooge had a very small fire but the clerks fire was so very much smaller’ Stave One
‘Make up the fires and buy another coal-scutter before you dot another i’ Stave Five

Question 3

What quotation shows the effect doing generous deeds have on Scrooge in Act Five?

Answer 3

‘Glowing with good intentions’ Stave Five

Question 4

What does the quote describing Scrooge as ‘glowing with good intentions’ contrast in Stave One?

Answer 4

‘The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait‘

Question 5

What does Scrooge say in Stave Three that shows the start of him becoming an empathetic person?

Answer 5

‘Oh no spirit! Say he’ll be spared’ -Scrooge Stave Three

Question 6

What similes in Stave Five said by Scrooge, contrast the similes describing his description in Stave One?

Answer 6

‘I’m as light as a feather, I’m as happy as an angel, I’m as merry as a school boy’ -Scrooge Stave Five