belle and family Flashcards
quote 1
“to you, very little. Another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in the time to come as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve”- p38
Reveals her recognition that Scrooge values wealth over their relationship, with “idol” connoting worship, suggesting he is devoted to money as one would be to a deity. Her selfless and dignified tone in, “I have no just cause to grieve”, highlights her grace and emotional maturity, as she accepts that Scrooge has chosen materialism over love.
quote 2
“Our contract is an old one…You are a changed. When it was made you were another man”p38
he term “contract” reinforces the idea that he now sees relationships in transactional terms, contrasting with the warmth of his past self. Belle’s statement serves as a turning point, emphasising that Scrooge’s pursuit of money has cost him personal happiness, reinforcing Dickens’ critique of materialism and the consequences of unchecked greed.
quote 3
“the joy, the gratitude, the ecstasy”, p41
The triplet “the joy, the gratitude, the ecstasy” creates a crescendo of emotion, intensifying from simple happiness to overwhelming euphoria, emphasizing the family’s deep appreciation and emotional release. The asyndetic listing and repetition of “the” heighten happiness in the moment’s
quote 4
“mother and daughter laughed heartily and enjoyed it very much” p40
Dickens paints a beautiful family scene of Belle’s family Christmas, the lexical field of joy “laughed”, “heartily”, ‘enjoyed “to show that families brings companionship.
quote 5
“the master of the house, having his daughter leaning fondly on him, sat down with her and her mother at his own fireside” p41
the motif of fire in “fireside” symbolizes the warmth and love within the family, which is further emphasized by the adverb “fondly”, highlighting their affectionate bonds. This directly contrasts with Scrooge’s isolation, reinforcing his emotional coldness and lack of connection.
