Family Flashcards
Explore how family is contextually significant in ACC
- Christmas
- Victoria
- Scrooge
- Dickens emphasises the importance of family during the festive time to popularise an emotional element to the holiday season
- Queen Victoria herself had 9 children, their family was idealised and perceived to be a model.
- Dickens emphasises his ideas surrounding this theme by highligthing the positive effects whilst also explaining the negative consequences which arise due to the absence of family (through Scrooge)
- Scrooge begins the novella as a complete antithesis, which suggests that the absence of family is what may have contributed to Scrooge’s initially abhorrent characterisation.
What kind of atmosphere does Fred initially create and what effect does this have?
'’h—– h—–’’ and is in a ‘‘g—’’
From his introduction to the novella, Fred generates a positive atmosphere which affects both Scrooge and the tone of narration. This is first highlighted when he enters Scrooge’s counting-house in Stave One.
Prior to his arrival Dickens focuses on cold, gloomy imagery. When Fred appears at the door, however, he “heated himself” and looked to be in “a glow”, introducing warmth to the stave.
This is significant as Dickens previously asserted that even “external heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge” which suggests that Fred’s virtue is stronger than the forces of nature. This may perhaps spotlight the power and value of family.
What does Scrooge’s refusal of Fred’s invitation emphasise?
'’d—-‘‘
If Scrooge had a family ‘‘y—- a—’’, he might have ‘‘c—– t— k—— – l—–’‘
Dickens emphasises that it is Scrooge who isolates himself from his family. This is seen when he refuses Fred’s invitation to “dine” with him on Christmas.
It could be argued that this directly links to his downfall, as highlighted by the Ghost of Christmas Present who takes him to Fred’s party.
There, he acknowledges that if he had experienced a loving family “years ago” then he might have “cultivated the kindness of life”. This presents the idea that a supportive family is instrumental in the development of a person and so the concept of family should be seen as paramount in society.
What does Dickens construct the Cratchits to be and how?
Large families like the Cratchits were prevalent in the nineteenth century, so Dickens constructs the Cratchits to be a relatable presentation of the lower class.
He idealises their family by focussing on their unity, happiness and strength despite their financial struggles. This conveys the idea that poverty is not a barrier to happiness.
How does Dickens highlight the unity of the Cratchits?
The potatoes ‘‘k—– l—– t- b- — —’‘
Tiny Tim contrasts Scrooge’s body which is ‘‘un—–, u——-, unc—- f—’‘
Dickens highlights this through his description of the household on Christmas day. He details that even the potatoes “knocked loudly…to be let out”, emphasising the joy and excitement of the Cratchit family.
Their unity is essential following Tiny Tim’s death, where the reader witnesses the family come together and provide Tiny Tim with a loving funeral. This starkly contrasts Scrooge’s body which lay “unwatched, unwept, uncared for”. The alliteration used here emphasises his isolation, and so highlights to the reader that family is more important than money.
How does the death of Fanny have an impact on Scrooge?
Their father is now a ‘’——’’ man and home is like ‘‘h—-‘’
Scrooge glanced at her ‘‘m———’’ and felt ‘‘un—–’’
When Fanny comes to take Scrooge home from boarding school she informs him that their father is now a “kinder” man and that their home now feels “like heaven”. This is a powerful simile as it highlights the great power family can have , emphasising its importance. Therefore, when Scrooge glances “anxiously at the door” and “mournfully” shakes his head before Fanny arrives the reader understands that he feels great sorrow at her death. Her absence evidently had a profound effect on his character, spotlighted by the fact that after he is reminded of her kindness he is “uneasy” and begins to reflect on his relationship with Fred. This is a remarkable change in his character, considering his behaviour in the opening stave, and so it can be inferred that the absence of Fan had negative effects on his personality
How has Scrooge’s attitudes towards money impacted his relationships?
'’d—- b- a g—— i—-‘’ in refernece to Scrooge’s ‘‘p—-‘’ for money
He questions what it would’ve been like to have children who ‘‘c—- h— f—–’‘
When Scrooge is taken to see Belle, his once fiancée, she reveals that she has been replaced by a “golden” idol. This is in reference to Scrooge’s “passion” and pursuit of money.
Dickens presents the idea that Scrooge’s inclination towards money over relationships has damaged his opportunity to kindle love and start his own family.
The magnitude of his loss is foregrounded when he sees Belle with her children, prompting him to question what it would have been like to have children who “called him father”. This pitiful sentiment highlights the regret that Scrooge feels, which implies that he has come to the realisation that family is more important than money.
