english lit ppe Flashcards
scrooge stave 1
“they had better do it and decrease the surplus population”
- cold-hearted, would rather watch people die than choose to help them
- Scrooge is a follower of Thomas Malthus (explain)
- Scrooge is ignorant
- “surplus” is business term
scrooge stave 2
“I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now”
- Scrooge realises Fezziwig’s merriness seemed to cost nothing
- starting to regret his decisions
- “a word” shows not fully changed, doesn’t want to say much
- common for poor people to be treated that way by rich people
scrooge stave 3
“tonight if you ought to teach me, let me profit by it”
- “profit” shows that not fully changed, thinks about money
- “let me” not others, a bit of selfishness
- also could show that he is willing to change as a person
scrooge stave 4
“I hope to live to be another man from what I was”
- first time Scrooge himself acknowledges will to change
- Victorian idea of free will (could choose own path), contrast to Elizabethan times where you stayed the same
- also could be a tiny bit of selfishness that the ghost needs to teach
scrooge stave 5
“Bob! Make up the fires and buy another coal scuttle”
- contrast to keeping coal in his own room
- buy another” shows Scrooge is now spending his money generously and on others
- metaphorical for how Dickens wanted conditions for the poor to improve in general
- metaphor for sharing warmth
cratchits stave 1
“the clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded”
- shows how happy he is to hear about festive cheer after listening to Scrooge all day
- “involuntarily” shows how close Christmas and togetherness is in his heart
- doesn’t think about consequences, mischief from employees big punishment
cratchits stave 2
“I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk now”
- Scrooge is thinking about the way Bob has been treated
- Scrooge is admiring Bob’s ability to put up with Scrooge even though he treats him nasty
- admitting Bob does nothing wrong, Scrooge being nasty
cratchits stave 3
“such a bustle ensued that you might have thought a goose the rarest of all birds”
- shows the Cratchits are very poor but they respect Christmas traditions
- shows the strong sense of love and admiration Cratchits have for each other
- poor people would only have a meal this good on Christmas time
cratchits stave 4
“he broke down all at once. he couldn’t help it”
- shows how much the Cratchits love each other and sense of togetherness
- what will happen if Scrooge doesn’t change his ways
- financial situation hasn’t changed but still sad, money doesn’t mean anything with family
cratchits stave 5
“I am very sorry, sir…I am behind my time”
- shows Bob’s humility even though he has a genuine excuse
- shows how hard-working he is and how much he wants to make it up to Scrooge
- strict punishments for workers being late
the ghosts stave 1
“the spectre’s voice disturbed the very marrow in his bones”
- shows the impact that the ghost has on Scrooge
- just the voice disturbs Scrooge and makes him uncomfortable
- contrast to Scrooge that seemed to be so full of hatred, first time we get sense of fear
the ghosts stave 2
“but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap: and begged him to be covered”
- shows impact the ghost has on Scrooge already
- “begged” carries on running theme he has only had emotional reaction to spirits
- Scrooge fears just looking at the spirit
- candles would have had a cap to cover up
the ghosts stave 3
“but most of all, beware the boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom”
- shows what the spirit is teaching
- most of all shows Ignorance is more important because without education, no escape from poverty cycle
- ghost shows this because children easier to sypmathise
the ghosts stave 4
“I fear you more than any other spectre I have seen”
- shows the impact the ghost has on Scrooge
- significant statement considering all Scrooge has seen
- scary because his features are less significant
- not a lot of detail because future is unknown
the ghosts stave 5
“The spirits have done it all in one night. they can do anything they like”
- shows how mysterious the spirits are/where they came from
- Scrooge now respects the spirits
- contrast to him commanding Bob what to do, become more carefree
fred stave 1
“‘Why did you get married?’ ‘Because I fell in love’”
-shows reader immediately that Fred is different to his uncle
-makes reader question Scrooge’s background because his nephew is so nice
-contrast between Scrooge and Bob with family but
Bob is happier despite being poorer
