All Quotations + Analysis Flashcards
“Squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”
Narrator
Stave 1
THEMES: selfishness, social injustice, religion
*The asyndetic listing (a list that uses commas rather than the word ‘and’): The asyndetic listing highlights selfish and avaricious character. It portrays Scrooge’s immoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant (no guilt) “sinner.”
The use of 7 negative adjectives mirrors how there are 7 deadly sins, known as cardinal sins, which were seen in the bible as the root of all evil. As the foundations of Victorian morality was religion, the parallels between Scrooge and the sins are used by Dickens to highlight how the rich, symbolised by Scrooge, are more inclined towards moral transgression (go against morals) than the poor. Dickens implicitly critiques societal structures, such as the 1834 Poor Law, which were ironically designed to address the perceived sin and laziness of the poor.
‘squeezing’ and ‘wrenching’ connotes a struggle: The verbs “squeezing” and “wrenching” connote a struggle, this illustrates how Scrooge struggles to see the detrimental consequences of his frugality (stinginess) and thus, his role in perpetuating social inequality.
Alternatively, the undertone of a struggle is used by Dickens to illustrate how the avariciousness (greed) of the upper classes directly causes a struggle for the impoverished (poor).
“I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me”
Scrooge
Stave 4
THEMES: Supernatural, Religion, Redemption, Selfishness
Religious allusions: The concept of “three” could be a biblical allusion to the three different forms of God within the holy trinity: the father, the son and the holy spirit. This could emphasise how the three ghosts almost acted as incarnations of God’ himself-relaying a moral and religious message that penetrated deeply within Scrooge. When he speaks of them striving “within me,” it signifies his internalisation of their moral teachings and his desperation to be given the opportunity to embark on the path of salvation and redemption (save from sins).
Juxtaposition between ‘past, present and future’: The juxtaposing passages of time in “Past, present and future” serve as a symbolic reflection of the stark contrast between Scrooge’s former avaricious (greedy) self and his transformation into a person dedicated to redemption, moral and spiritual enlightenment.
The passage of time also emphasises his realisation of how his attitude in the “past” and “present” was not only perpetuating his ‘solitary existence, but also contributed to the systemic oppression and exploitation of the vulnerable in society.
“Quite a baby” & “Merry as a school boy”
Scrooge
Stave 5
THEMES: selfishness, religion, redemption, social justice
Infantile language: Scrooge’s infantile self-descriptions indicates his rebirth as he brands himself as a “baby” and “schoolboy”. As both a “baby” and “schoolboy” connote innocence and youth, Scrooge is showcasing how through him repenting for his sins, he has regained his youthful innocence and ability to see the world in an untainted light - he now views it through compassion, kindness and benevolence.
As being a “baby” is the start of life, this signifies that Scrooge has been reborn as he has gone from a selfish “old sinner” back to the most innocent form of human life- he has had the ultimate rebirth.
Christian ideas of rebirth: The concept of rebirth holds significance in Christianity, symbolising a spiritual renewal and connection with God. This is deeply intertwined with the belief in Jesus Christ’s rebirth, which offered salvation to humanity.
Similarly, Scrooge’s own rebirth may hold the promise of salvation and relief for the less fortunate, as he assumes a paternal (fatherly) role akin to a “second father’ to Tiny Tim, embodying compassion and generosity toward those in need.
“warning all human sympathy to keep its distance”
Narrator
Stave 1
He is repulsed by human interaction and affection as he warns “all human sympathy to keep its distance”. As warn connotes to alert, this is used by Dickens as ironic as Scrooge’s misanthropic and apathetic nature will imminently cause him to be alerted by the reality of his ways.
“What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough”
Scrooge (to Fred)
Stave 1
Interestingly, Scrooge recognises that poverty causes misery as he questions Fred “What reason do you have to be merry? You’re poor enough.”. However, he continues to live in a state of ignorance, most significantly through neglecting others, without offering to alleviate this misery of poverty.
“Are there no prisons?…And the union workhouses?”
Scrooge (to charity collectors)
Stave 1
Scrooge’s reaction to the charity men serves as a microcosm (a person/idea representing a bigger group of people and ideas) for the upper classes relationship with the rest of society
Scrooge questions why he is morally obliged to give, this giving the Victorian reader an insight to the reason they lived in a destitute society- the rich don’t believe it is their duty to give
His Malthusian views (see context) are prevalent when he questions “Are there no prisons?…And the union workhouses?”. Scrooge is unable to see the poor with any humanity, instead sees them as mere numbers contributing to the “surplus population”.
“a solitary child, neglected by his friends” stave 2
&
“secret and self-contained, and as solitary as an oyster” stave 1
Narrator
The description of Scrooge in his childhood hold parallel language to his description in stave 1. He is described as “A solitary child, neglected by his friends” which is reminiscent of his previous description of “solitary as an oyster”.
The repeatedly use adjective of “solitary” highlights how Scrooge’s neglected and ‘solitary’ state as a defenceless child has directly caused his lonesome and ‘solitary’ adult existence- the ghost even pities his younger self and makes Scrooge recognise how he was an extremely “lonely boy”.
-‘Oyster’ inside is a pearl, valuable and precious. Symbolise purity and are sacred to Christians.
-‘Solitary’ alone, does not like being around people. Reinforced through ‘oyster’ (found at the bottom of the ocean). Although Scrooge is socially superior he is emotionally inferior
“Tell me if Tiny Tim will live”
Scrooge
Stave 3
Scrooge’s use of imperatives, paired with the verb “cried”, highlights his catharsis (an emotional release) as he is so overcome with guilt due to his blatant disregard and ignorance to the plight of the destitute- this being personified through the Cratchits.
“i am as happy as an angel”
Scrooge
stave 5
The religious simile highlights how Scrooge feels that his redemption has led him back to the path of God and faith. He was previously described as a “sinner”, embodying the 7 deadly sins. Yet, his redemption has led to his restoration of religious morals- these being imperative to Victorian society.
“the fog and darkness thickened” stave 1
&
“no fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial” stave 5
(narrator)
Dickens uses pathetic fallacy (when the weather reflects the mood) by describing the setting as having “fog and darkness thickened” to resemble the bleakness of the protagonist (main character) Scrooge
Contextually, the fog in London from 1873-1879 killed hundreds of people. Dickens may be alluding to how, just as the weather has the ability to destroy lives, the rich posses this same power. This is heighted through the conceit of the bitter weather we
mentioned above
‘fog’ a symbol of institutionalised oppression, and Scrooge refusing to seek clarity in the reasons of his misanthropic ways, is no longer existent in stave 5: “No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial”.
“Hard and Sharp as flint”
Stave 1
Narrator
- Adjective “hard” suggests that Scrooge lacks compassion + empathy. Hard things are also stubborn, unbending, and rigid.
- “sharp” suggests pain + that Scrooge has no mercy towards others. It also suggests dangerous - if you get too close or don’t handle with care - but it also suggests he is intelligent and quick witted.
- “flint” is a dark, cold, tough stone used for weapons a long time ago (again links with sharp & pain). A “flint” is able to provide fire, so the simile could suggest that Scrooge has the ability to also provide warmth + change, hints at his transformation
Whole quotation is a simile
“If that spirits goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death.”
Marley - Stave 1
highlights the eternal punishment that he has to go through in his death as he is doomed to forever roam the world endlessly and hints that this is the same path scrooge is heading down if he does not make a change in his ways. the use of the strong word “condemned” connotes a sentence of a punishment as if their ways are prosecutable.
“I wear the chain i forged in life […] I girded it on of my own free will”
- Declarative sentence mood accentuates the main theme of isolation + hosts an emotional tone for Scrooge. “Chain” implies restriction - sense of self imposed isolation regarding Scrooge’s unrelenting nature. Ironic how this noun is used considering at the time, poor people were sent to workhouses. (Poor Law)
Imagery of supernatural chains as a metaphor for mental imprisonment + torture in afterlife. Warns readers that the things you prioritise in life will be shackled to you for eternity+ is forced to question the traditional capitalist idea of success is + if true success is in moral riches rather than financial ones.
“Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish…”
Ghost of christmas present
stave 3
Use of asyndeton vividly depicts how sick + sinister the young children look.
- Their skin colour does not resemble that of a young healthy child as it is “yellow”. The colour could imply that children are physically sick and malnourished because of the neglection of society and the obliviousness of individuals to social injustice.
Alternatively, “yellow” connotes sickness mirroring how the upper class believed that poverty was almost alike to a contagious illness or sickness. Thus, the upper-class members like Scrooge in society, felt it was easier to distance themselves from this ‘disease’ of poverty oppose to helping them.
- There is a feral and animalistic portrayal of the children as they’re described as “scowling” and “wolfish”. This animalistic image highlights how poverty dehumanises individuals, stripping them of their humanity and reducing them to less than an animalistic state of
being.
Alternatively, the animalistic dehumanising portrayal could be an attack on the rich’s dehumanising treatment of the lower classes.
Dickens makes Scrooge, an extension of the ignorant rich, to meet the dehumanised poor for a sense of justice for his readership- the rich are being forced to recognise how they are perpetuating poverty and animalising the poor.
“This boy is ignorance […] but most of all beware this boy”
Ghost of christmas present
stave 3
the ghost of christmas present emphasises that ignorance in the victorian society is one of the main reasons why poverty is only getting worse. People from upper classes turn a blind eye to the poor and as the boy of ignorance grows up, ignorance will only grow to be an even bigger issue with it.
