Responsibility Flashcards
Marley - ‘‘m—– w— — ——-‘’
'’t– c—– w—- was my b——’’
’‘mankind was my business’‘
This is Marley’s response to Scrooges comment that Marley had always been a good ‘‘man of business’’.
Scrooge means Marley was successful in running an enterprise however Marley rpelies by saying he should’ve taken a greater interest in people.
’‘the common welfare was my business’‘
He states that he should have been charitable, merciful and kind. This displays the contrast between the use of the word ‘‘business’’ There’s the suggestion that, if Scrooge doesn’t learn his lesson now, he’ll learn the lesson of social responsibility after death, and be trapped, similar to Marley. Dickens could be extending this message to the upper class - suggesting that if they don’t change their ways, they’ll face the consequences similar to Marley.
Marley
'’I we– t— ch—- I f—– i- —–’’
’‘I wear the chains I forged in life’‘
During his life, Marley’s concern was running a business and profit. He is punished with eternal misery and wears ‘‘chains’’’ that he entirely is responsible for, due to his lack of empathy. We see that it is too late for Marley, however it is not too late for Scrooge and any of the upper-class Victorians to learn the lessons of social responsibility.
Charity Donations
'’a— ther- n- w——-?’’
'’a– th— n- pr—?’’
’‘are there no workhouses?’‘
'’are there no prisons?’‘
Scrooge refuses to donate to charity. Moreover, he asks if the prisons and workhouses are still open, which indicates that he sees the poor as a burden to society, demonstrating a lack of empathy and social responsibility.
The two charity men say that many people would ‘‘ra—- d–’’ than go to a workhouse.
Scrooge replies, ‘‘i- th– w—- r—- d–, they had b—– d– – and d—- the s—– p—–’’
The two charity men say that many people would ‘‘rather die’’ than go to a workhouse.
Scrooge replies, ‘‘if they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population’’
Here, Scrooge is demonstrating Malthusian views. Scrooge feels he is already doing his part, by paying taxes to fund workhouses etc., even though he only does so out of obligation. He describes the poor as ‘‘idle’’ which suggests he doesnt not understand the complexity of poverty. He sees himself as financially responsibel but sees the poor as financially irresponsible.
(AO3) This was a common place view in Victorian England - people saw the poor as lazy and responsible for their own suffering when, actually, it was very difficult to find work and escape poverty.
Fred links Christmas, Fellowship and Responsibility
'’th— – —– —- —- as if they were —— ——– to the g—- and not another —- – cr—– on o—- jo——’’
‘think of people below them as if they were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures on other journeys’’
There’s an implication that, especially at Christmas time, unity amongst mankind is important. However, the preposition ‘‘below’’ subtly reminds of the social hierarchy, Dickens could be suggesting that, even in the kindest of hearts, these attitudes towards the poor and the social hierarchy are still there.
Ignorance and Want - The Children of Mankind
'’wr—–, fr—–, h—–’’
’‘wretched, frightful, hideous’‘
These are the children of mankind - mankind need to be responsible for these children. Dickens could extend this to say that we need to be responsible for all children in poverty. The implication is that these traits are the creation of society due to their ill treatment of the poor.
AO3 - The harsh reality that Dickens could be highlighting is that there were many children who would live in such dirty conditions.
The Ghost of Christmas Present warns that Ignorance will lead to ‘‘—-‘‘
’‘Doom’‘
Not only the doom of Scrooge, but society overall. It’s important that the Ghost of Christmas Present said this - to show that the only way this doom can be prevented is through action in the present, a change needs to be made now before it’s too late.
Tiny Tim is the connection between Poverty and Death, ‘‘doom’’. Scrooge helps Tim, thus showing the difference the rich can make to the lives of the poor. This links back to Dickens criticism of the Poor Law, showing how even small actions by the rich can make such a huge difference in the lives of the poor. They just need to learn the lessons of social responsibility, similar to Scrooge.
Fezzwig has the ‘‘p—- to r—- u- h—– or ——’’
’‘power to render us happy or unhappy’‘
Language suggests Fezziwig is responsible for their welfare and experiences. Fezziwig is also taking responsibility for the poor as he invites a ‘‘boy’’ into the Christmas party.
