ghost of christmas present

Question 1

What is the purpose of the ghost of Christmas present

Answer 1

-takes Scrooge to see the sights or Christmas Day
-by showing the universality of Christmas during the Victorian era,several key themes are emphasised
-could personify Christmas day

Question 2

At the start of the stage after Scrooge sees his appearance he states to Scrooge
“Come in!exclaimed the ghost.come in and know me better,man”

Answer 2

-this presents ghost as being jolly
-repetition of come in is authoritative but also friendly and bombastic
-exclamation and narrative make is clear the spirit is experience an intense and positive emotion
-ghost is acting friendly as it wants to form an amicable relationship with Scrooge

Question 3

When discussing tiny Tim with Scrooge the ghost stated
“If he die he better do it and decrease the surplus population”

Answer 3

-repeating Scrooges early words to highlight how awful Malthusian ideals are
-in turning nasty the spirit is trying to show Scrooge his wealth does not give his life value or meaning
-the spirit turns mean to try and teach Scrooge a lesson and advocate his change

Question 4

How does the ghost of Christmas present contrast Scrooge

Answer 4

-the ghost is presented as being extremely generous and sympathetic,especially towards the poor
-this could perhaps present him as a role model for Scrooge
-Scrooges selfishness and greed anger the spirit

Question 5

What two children does the ghost of Christmas present show Scrooge and what do they symbolise

Answer 5

-ignorance
-want
-symbolises the issues within society

Question 6

Ignorance and want are described as
“Wretched,abject,frightful,hideous and miserable”

Answer 6

-wretched shows they are unhappy and unfortunate
-abject shows they have no pride or dignity
-frightful connotes there appearance is unpleasant
-dickens has used these adjectives to shock the reader
-shows that poverty has almost dehumanised them

Question 7

The ghost of present tells Scrooge that ignorance and want
“They are Man’s and they cling to me”

Answer 7

-personifies the children as society’s issues
-tells the Edwardian audience that they have to change there selfishness as it causes disgusting things

Question 8

ghost of present quotes

Answer 8

-“They are Man’s and they cling to me”
-“Come in!exclaimed the ghost.come in and know me better,man”
-“If he die he better do it and decrease the surplus population”

Question 9

how are ignorance and want described

Answer 9

Wretched,abject,frightful,hideous and miserable”