Quotes about family Flashcards
Family can be kind and inviting, as Fred is to Scrooge initially (throughout novel)
“‘A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!’ cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach” (1.5)
Scrooge was Marley’s sole friend, and even he is not very sad about his death, showing Scrooge’s lack of close, personal connections
“his sole friend, and sole mourner. And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event” (1.2)
Fred remains kind and cheerful to Scrooge, despite his negativity and rudeness
“But I have made the trial in homage to Christmas, and I’ll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So A Merry Christmas, uncle!” (1.7)
Despite Scrooge not being too sad about Marley’s death, he still describes him as a good friend when his ghost appears
“‘You were always a good friend to me,’ said Scrooge. ‘Thank’ee!’” (1.21)
Fan, Scrooge’s sister, was very loving towards Scrooge in the past, showing the immense compassion family can show
“a little girl, much younger than the boy, came darting in, and putting her arms about his neck, and often kissing him, addressed him as her ‘Dear, dear brother.’” (2.32)
Scrooge seems uneasy about his relationship with Fred after being reminded of Fan, his mother
“Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, ‘Yes.’” (2.34)
Belle’s family, especially her children, are energetic and joyful, showing the happiness family can bring
“the mother and daughter laughed heartily, and enjoyed it very much; and the latter, soon beginning to mingle in the sports, got pillaged by the young brigands most ruthlessly” (2.41)
The Cratchit family is excited for Martha’s arrival, showing how family care for one another and enjoy each other’s company
“‘Here’s Martha, mother!’ said a girl, appearing as she spoke. ‘Here’s Martha, mother!’ cried the two young Cratchits” (3.52)
Mrs Cratchit kisses Martha many times, physically showing the affection and love she has for her
“‘Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!’ said Mrs Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet for her with officious zeal” (3.52)
None of the Cratchits say the pudding is small, likely out of kindness for Mrs Cratchit, showing family members are considerate to one another
“Everybody had something to say about it, but nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family. It would have been flat heresy to do so” (3.56)
Mrs Cratchit says she’ll drink to Scrooge’s health because of Bob and as it is Christmas Day, even though she dislikes Scrooge, showing that family can put aside anger for the sake of each other
“‘I’ll drink his health for your sake and the Day’s,’ said Mrs Cratchit, ‘not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a happy New Year!” (3.57)
Fred pities Scrooge instead of disliking him, likely partially out of kindness that family show to each other
“‘I am sorry for him; I couldn’t be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims! Himself, always.” (3.63)
Despite people mocking him earlier, Fred and his friends toast to him, showing he can still be part of the family
“‘A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!’ said Scrooge’s nephew. ‘He wouldn’t take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!’” (3.67)
As the dead person in the future, Scrooge, has nobody close to them like family, nobody really cares when they die
“I’m not at all sure that I wasn’t his most particular friend; for we used to stop and speak whenever we met” (4.73)
The dead man, Scrooge, was selfish so that in the future no family is there to take care of him after he dies
“If he had been, he’d have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with Death, instead of lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself” (4.77)
