Christmas Flashcards
But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time when it has come round
Dickens presents Fred in a positive way, seeing Christmas as special and unique. Fred’s happy attitude is a complete contrast of Scrooge, with Dickens hinting through Fred that people need to show kindness to each other. Fred is seen as what Scrooge could be if he was nice, jolly and kind, using his money for good which we see him do at the end. Mouthpiece for Dickens’ view of Christmas
There was nothing very cheerful in the climate or the town and yet there was an air of cheerfulness abroad that the clearest summer air and brightest summer sun might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain.
The narrator describes the grim city streets transformed by the Christmas spirit spreading cheer everywhere. Ordinary activities like shoveling or shopping now have an air of festivity. The spirit of Christmas exists everywhere people observe Christmas and clearly brings so much joy, even if for just 1 day a year. Dickens makes it clear that celebrations are important for the welfare and morale of the poorest in London, who suffer severe hardship.
Every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or had a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of some by-gone Christmas Day
Dickens describes what Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present find when they fly to a ship far out to sea and observe Christmas spirit at work. The day itself spreads the Christmas spirit among the sailors. Despite being far away from their families, from any church, and from community celebrations, just knowing the date causes all the sailors to embody, share, and perpetuate the Christmas spirit. The phrase ‘every man’ shows how everyone benefits. Dickens is therefore perhaps stating that Christmas is a time where community and a collective society should be valued.
A Christmas Carol
The title itself is a reference to the traditional carols that are sung at Christmas time and the chapter names, ‘staves’, again refer to carols as opposed to normal chapters.
After a while they played at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.
Dickens shows Scrooge’s nephew as the opposite of Scrooge. He is able to abandon himself to childish pleasures at Christmas and enjoys the company of his friends.
A Merry Christmas uncle! God save you!
Fred is the 1st person to mention Christmas in the novella and embraces the joyful holiday contrasting him to his uncle to hates Christmas. Fred emphasises his joy by describing the Christian holiday as ‘merry’. The holiday was designed to celebrate the birth of Christ and the key values he held which were charity, kindness and forgiveness. Therefore, Dickens is describing what it means to be a good Christian as exemplified by Fred. This is also highlighted by the biblical reference in ‘God save you’.
Bah Humbug!
This is Scrooge’s iconic catchphrase the highlights his dismissiveness of Christmas, heightened by the use of the exclamation. ‘Humbug’ implies that he views Christmas as deceptive or dishonest, as the joy most people experience is temporary and futile. As soon as Christmas is over, the mention of charity and good deeds is forgotten. Furthermore, he could be calling religion deceptive which would be seen as sacrilegious.
