Quote 9: “Mankind was my business. The common ... business”

Question 1

“_____ was my business. The _____ _____ was my business, ______, _______, and ______ were, all, my business. The _______ of my ______ were but a _____ of water in the _________ ________of my business”

Answer 1

“Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business, charity, forbearance, and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business”

Question 2

who said it and when? who did they say it to? what is it about?

Answer 2

Ghost of Jacob Marley to Scrooge in stave 1 when imploring him to change

Question 3

5 key features:

Answer 3

• Emphatic metaphor: used to convey Marley’s epiphany that the pursuit of wealth is an insignificant part of human life.
• repetition of possessive adjective “my”: not ignorant, taking accountability
• “water” emblematic of qualities that people should focus on. does not have fixed form. in reference to how scrooge can change his perception of what qualities are important or not
• Imagery “drop”: infinitesimal and inconsequential part of his existence which juxtaposes with image of colossal ocean (list of intangible qualities) that Marley is imploring Scrooge to focus on.
• subversion of “business”: Dickens is not condemning money making but is showcasing that is can be done along side leading a philanthropic life. focal point is to prosper in all aspects of life, not just business.