Religion and Christmas Flashcards
How does religion inspire debate?
- Some people intepret the novella to hold anti-religious sentiment whilst others believe Dickens presents a narrative in support of religious ideas
- For example, he criticises some aspects of the way religion is observed yet idolises values such as going to church
How does Dickens challenge religious hyprocisy?
THINK ABOUT: ANTI-SABBATARIANISM
QUOTE:
'’c—- t- —– us’’ yet do things out of ‘‘p—, p—- i—-…’‘
- During stave 3, The Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge that people ‘‘claim to know’’ religion but do things out of ‘‘passion, pride ill-will…’’.
- This was in reference to Sabbatarianism (closing shops on Sunday) and the blue laws (preventing leisure). This meant on their day off, the lower classes were not able to enjoy their brief free time.
- Collective pronoun ‘‘us’’ creates the Ghosts as superior, religious figureheads who are representatives of God. Even they highlight the hypocrisy of religious expectations in Victorian society, and thus support Dickens’ anti-Sabbatarianism message
What can Dickens be suggesting with the Title ‘‘A Christmas Carol’’?
- Note that a ‘‘Carol’’ is sung at church, and is often associated with uniting people
- He may be trying to hold the church accountable for failing to unite society. This is because he ironically highlights the substantial divisons between social classes in Victorian society.
- However, a more secure viewpoint is that Dickens endeavoured to teach society how to celerate Christmas in a manner that would unite society, like a ‘‘Carol’’ would.
Did Dickens’ Christmas message work?
- Yes - it is widely accepted that Dickens attributed and popularised an emotional element to the festive time which was not apparent prior to the publication of A Christmas Carol
- What does Dickens reveal about Marley?
- Through what quote?
'’i——- t——’’
What effect does this have?
Dickens revealed that Marley’s ghost is in some sort of purgatory as he ‘‘cannot rest’’ nor ‘‘stay’’ and faces ‘‘incessant torture’‘
According to Christian belief, purgatory is an intermediate state following death where people are punished for their actions
This introduces the ideas of judgement and accountability, which adds a religious weight and ultimatum to Scrooge’s need to change, and by extension, mankind’s need to change.
Therefore, religion amplifies the dramatic effect of the novella by increasing the build-up of tension.
How does Dickens introduce the idea of divine intervention?
In the Spirit’s ‘’—-‘
What effect does this have?
Note that Scrooge ‘‘w—- t- ch—–’’
Scrooge claims the Sabbatarianism is observed in the Spirit’s ‘‘name’’ or ‘‘at least’’ in the name of its ‘‘family’’, showing Scrooge views them as godlike figures.
This is presented as a beneficial concept as it has the ability to inspire positive change, as seen through Scrooge’s transformation.
Perhaps this may prompt readers to attend church or engage with religion, as this will allow them too to access a sense of divine intervention.
This is supported by the fact that post-transformation Scrooge ‘‘went to church’’, impyling his attendance is a virtuous thing.
Contrast Scrooge’s attitudes towards money and link these in with religion
- Scrooge begins the novella as a miserly man who embodies the Malthusian attitude toward the poor
- Following his transformation, howver, he exhibits charitable yet modest traits, which is exemplfiied through his behaviour with the charity collectors.
- Ultimately, this implies that Dickens draws inspiration from religious ideals to define ‘‘goodness’’ within the novella - hence he presents the ideat hat religion and virtue are synonymous.
