Descriptions for characters' personality ACC Flashcards
(Scrooge) Parsimonious
Excessively frugal and unwilling to spend money. (Fancier than miserly)
(Scrooge) Avaricious
Having an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
(Scrooge) Obdurate
Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinions or actions; emotionally hardened.
(Scrooge) Misanthropic
Disliking and avoiding human society; having a general hatred or distrust of people.
(Scrooge) Intransigent
Unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or agree to compromise.
(Scrooge) Apathetic
Indifferent, showing little or no interest in anything beyond oneself.
(Scrooge) Cynical
Distrustful of others’ motives and skeptical about human goodness.
(Scrooge) Reclusive
Preferring to be alone, avoiding social interaction.
(Scrooge) Callous
Insensitive and indifferent to the suffering of others.
(Bob Cratchit) Submissive
Willing to accept authority or hardship without protest.
Importance: Bob Cratchit endures Scrooge’s harsh treatment with quiet resilience, highlighting the plight of the working poor in Victorian society.
(Bob Cratchit) Altruistic
Showing selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Importance: Bob’s devotion to his family, especially to Tiny Tim, reflects Dickens’ message about the importance of kindness and generosity.
(Bob Cratchit) Dutiful
Performing responsibilities conscientiously.
Importance: Bob represents the hardworking, loyal employee who, despite being underpaid and overworked, remains dedicated to his duties.
(Bob Cratchit) Benevolent [important]
Well-meaning and kindly.
Importance: His kindness contrasts sharply with Scrooge’s initial cruelty, emphasizing the novel’s message about the moral value of generosity.
(Bob Cratchit) Resilient
Able to recover from difficult conditions.
Importance: Bob’s resilience in the face of poverty and hardship represents the dignity of the working class and the power of hope in dire circumstances.
Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) Affable
Friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to.
Importance: Fred’s warmth and affability emphasize the joy and community spirit of Christmas, contrasting Scrooge’s coldness.
Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) Magnanimous
Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.
Importance: Fred’s willingness to continually invite Scrooge to Christmas dinner, despite being rebuffed, underscores the theme of forgiveness.
Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) Optimistic
Hopeful and confident about the future.
Importance: Fred embodies the hopeful outlook that Dickens advocates, standing as an example of how one should face life’s challenges with a positive spirit.
Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) Compassionate
Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
Importance: Fred’s compassion for his uncle reflects the novel’s message of extending kindness, even to those who are difficult or embittered.
Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) Congenial
Pleasant and agreeable in nature.
Importance: Fred’s congenial nature stands in stark contrast to Scrooge’s isolation, showing the warmth of human connection.
(Tiny Tim) Innocent
Pure, uncorrupted by wrongdoings or malice.
Importance: Tiny Tim represents the innocence of children and the vulnerability of the poor, serving as a key emotional motivator for Scrooge’s transformation.
(Tiny Tim) Compassionate
Showing deep sympathy and concern for others.
Importance: Tiny Tim’s famous line, “God bless us, every one!” emphasizes the novella’s themes of compassion, kindness, and inclusivity.
(Tiny Tim) Fragile
Easily broken or damaged, both physically and emotionally.
Importance: His frailty symbolizes the precariousness of life for the poor, making him the embodiment of those suffering due to society’s neglect.
(Tiny Tim) Virtuous
Having or showing high moral standards.
Importance: Despite his illness, Tiny Tim remains cheerful and grateful, reinforcing Dickens’ message about the moral worth of the impoverished.
(Tiny Tim) Cherubic
Innocently sweet or pure.
Importance: Tiny Tim’s cherubic character amplifies the emotional stakes of the story and reminds Scrooge (and readers) of the impact wealth and power can have on the vulnerable.
Fan (Scrooge’s Sister) Gentle
Soft and kind in temperament or behavior.
Importance: Fan’s gentle nature symbolizes the innocence and love that Scrooge has shut out of his life as he grew older and more cynical.
Fan (Scrooge’s Sister) Endearing
Inspiring affection or love.
Importance: Fan’s endearing qualities make her an emotional touchstone in Scrooge’s memories, stirring his guilt for rejecting love and family.
Fan (Scrooge’s Sister) Nurturing
Providing care and protection.
Importance: Fan’s nurturing role in Scrooge’s early life highlights the importance of family and love, contrasting with his later coldness and detachment.
