Marley

Question 1

Purpose of Marley

Answer 1

First apparition who appears to Scrooge
Warns Scrooge
Introduces the gothic element of ghosts to bring about a transformation in Scrooge, while subsequently subverting the notion of an ideal Christmas to haunt his readers ‘pleasantly’.

Question 2

Marley and Scrooge in stave 1

Answer 2

described as “kindred spirits”. The adjective “kindred” suggests ‘two of a kind’ or in general suggests the similarities between Scrooge and his colleague

Question 3

Context

Answer 3

“wrought in steel”
= hints at the Industrial Revolution and the poor conditions people were forced to work in. The word “steel” represents the factories and workhouses in 1843 and symbolically represents the ignorance of the rich in relation to improving the lives of the urban poor

Question 4

Describe Christmas past

Answer 4

“Purest of white”
= biblical image of Jesus
“Soft and gentle”
= contrast to Marley
“Like a child”
“Like a man”
= juxtaposing

Question 5

Key quote analysis

Answer 5

“Shrouded in a deep black garment”