Minor Characters Flashcards
Quotes for Fred (as a foil to Scrooge)
-“all in a glow”
-“to know a man more blest in a laugh than Scrooge’s Nephew”
Analyse “all in a glow”
-First impression of Fred immediately presents him as a juxtaposition to Scrooge’s “frozen old features” and his bitter attitude.
-‘glow’ associates Fred with the motif of light which is reflected through the GOCPA “jet of light”, and the Cratchtits, symbolic of goodness and innocence.
-His optimistic outlook serves as a symbol of philanthropy and kindness, supporting Dickens message.
Quotes for Ignorance and Want
-“They are Man’s.”
-“on his brow I see that written which is doom”
-“Stale and shrivelled hand like that of age”
Analyse “They are Man’s.”
-Possessive “Man’s” suggests a collective responsibility.
-How the negligence of society led to the corruption of these poor children.
-Used to evoke sympathy & guilt from Scrooge, from upper class audience.
-Collective responsibility for each other; socialism.
Analyse “on his brow I see that written which is doom”
-Emphasis on ignorance over want; Scrooge already learnt his lesson of greed (through Belle)
-“doom” may forewarn the wider consequence of ignorance of the upper class on society- disregard of poor leads to suffering
-Ignorance is the manifestation of poverty; uneducated poor children were ignorant, they may have to turn to crime as a means of survival which contributes to the will fully ignorant view of the upper class; poor as crimogenic
Analyse “Stale and shrivelled hand like that of age”
-Poor Victorian children were forced to grow up faster so that they could work in factories.
-Absence of childhood in which their happiness was taken from them as they had to work, making them ‘stale’ and physically worn out and ‘shrivelled. Evokes pathos.
-Present time orientation- poor families had to focus on the present than planning for the future. Cycle of poverty; no money to afford education and escape the cycle.
Quotes for Belle
