ACC themes + Characters+methods Flashcards
Why does dickens use ghosts? What is their purpose in The novel?
They represent the past, present and future consequences of Scrooges life choices their supernatural form emphasises the moral weight of Scrooges actions, using the eerie nature of ghosts.
What is the purpose of Tiny Tim as a character construct?
Symbolises innocence and the moral cost of societal neglect. his fragile health highlight the vulnerability of the impoverished. He is the most exaggerated version of a perfect child. Illustrates the need for compassion and social responsibility where capitalism overlooks weakest and most vulnerable.
What is the purpose of the character construct of Belle?
Represents the emotional cost of Scrooges greed. How departure marks at the moment Scrooge prioritises money over love setting him on a path of emotional isolation and lost connection from loved ones.
What is the purpose of old Joe as a character?
Represents the corrupting influence of greed and exploitation as a pawnshop owner he profits from the misery of others highlighting the darkest side of capitalism where human suffering is commodified
What is the purpose of Mrs. Dilber as a character construct?
Reflects the moral decay of Scrooge’s world profiting from his death without remorse despite acting out of necessity her lack of compassion to exploit his demise highlights the selfishness and greed prevalent in a society where material gain outweighs decency
What is the purpose of Caroline as a character construct?
Reflects the emotional burden of Scrooges unforgiving nature mixed feelings of relief and guilt at his death highlight that oppressive effect of his greed and those in debt to him. She shows how Scrooges harsh capitalism harms individuals and complicates their lives.
What is the purpose of Scrooge as a character construct?
Initially represents an individualistic form of capitalism where wealth is pursued at the expense of human connection. His transformation reveals the destructive nature of greed upon others and oneself and that success lies not in accumulating riches but in fostering compassion and connection with others.
What is the purpose of Fred as a character construct?
He serves as a moral counterpoint to Scrooge’s greed. his kindness and spirit embody a form of welfare focused on emotional wealth where family and goodwill outweigh material success.
What is the purpose of Marley as a character construct?
Embodies the consequences of a life focus solely on selfishness and financial greed. His ghostly existence serves as a warning to others showcasing the spiritual emptiness of a life devoid of generosity urging Scrooge to change before it’s too late.
What is the purpose of the crotchets as a character construct?
Symbolise, resilience and family love in the face of poverty despite economic struggles they embody the moral argument against Scrooges greed and demonstrate true wealth lies in human connection compassion
What is the purpose of Fezziwig as a character construct?
Embodies a capitalist who balances financial success with warmth and kindness being a construct of what a desirable employer should be. His generosity contrasts with Scrooges exploitive approach to business illustrating ethical capitalism can coexist with personal happiness and social responsibility.
What is the purpose of ignorance and want as a character construct?
Personify the societal consequences of unchecked capitalism. they represent the impoverished masses neglected by wealth driven systems symbolising the moral decay and inequality that arise in the rich that Scrooge failed to recognise the responsibility to help others through their ignorance
What is a Christmas Carol primarily about? (Thesis statements)
The moral journey of Redemption and transformation
A critique of Victorian Society and social responsibility at the time
The triumph and importance of human connection vs isolation
How is the increasing pace of the novel linking to Scrooge. Give evidence
With each ghostly visit, the pace of the narrative speeds up. This gives the sense that time is running out for Scrooge, and he needs to learn his lessons and change his ways very quickly. Scrooge”Lead on!”.
Ghost of ChristmasPresent “My life upon this globe, is very brief”.
Ghost of Christmas Past
“My time grows short… Quick!”
What is the narrative voice like in its opinions
narrator has a negative opinion of Scrooge. Some of the opinions he injects into Stave 1 include:
“Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand.”
“A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!”
How is the narrative voice engaging?
The narrative voice is engaging and entertaining. It seems to describe Scrooge as a villain, which the reader agrees with, and so the reader comes to trust the narrative voice.
Narrative voice dictates the tone of the book throughout. How?
The narrator injects humour and sarcasm into the start of the novella.
As the story delves into Scrooge’s sad past, the tone becomes less lively and more sad.
But in the final stave, once Scrooge has vowed to change his ways, the narrator’s tone turns jovial.
Dickens dampens the mood when he wants to stress the ignorance of his society and the importance of social responsibility:
Ignorance and Want are described as “wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable” to emphasise how ugly these problems are for society.
How is pathetic fallacy used for effect?
fallacy to indicate that Scrooge is stuck in a “fog” of misery and despair, from which he cannot seem to escape. Also his ignorance blinds him
How does the weather evoke Scrooges transformation?
Fog and frost hang in the air throughout Stave 1: “It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal”.
In Stave 5, for the first time there is “no fog” outside.
The weather is described as “clear, bright, jovial” with “golden sunlight”.
How does dickens show ignorance and want being a product of man?
- they are a symbol for poor people, they are presented to be skinny due to hunger and looking miserable
- they are called ‘ignorance and want’ because they represent what is happening because of man’s ignorance towards the poor:
; whilst they are having feasts and banquets, there are people who are starving to the brink of death - dickens has purposely first introduced them under the robes of the ghost of christmas present as it represents that fact that these people are being masked by the grandness and merriness of Christmas
