Scrooge Flashcards
Stave 1 - “Scrooge was his sole executor, sole administrator……sole friend and mourner”
At his partner’s funeral, the roles of “friend” and “mourner” only come after a list of official terms; the link that held Scrooge and Marley together was business. All of the business terms set a formal, distant tone, rather than a personal human connection that would be expected at a funeral. Additionally, repetition of ‘sole’ emphatically emphasises Scrooge’s isolation from the world, perhaps serving as a warning to the Victorian Elite society of what greed leads to, as Marley had no one else, which is heavily reinforced (money isn’t what’s important, not remembered). Also, the sentence ending with ‘mourner’ punctuates the fact that Scrooge is alone, and miserable. Finally, ‘was’ being past tense shows that any human closeness and personal intimacy is in the past, forgotten.
Stave 1 - ‘Very small fire’, ‘one coal’
Throughout the novella, Dickens uses fire and warmth as a symbol to reflect character’s generosity. Here, the small fire shows his miserly character, with the intensifier ‘very’ emphasising how meagre the literal fire is, and how limited Scrooges benevolence is, if even existing. One of Dicken’s main purposes of the novella was to raise awareness in his readership to the dreadful working conditions in which the poor suffered. Through the cold environment of the counting-house, Dickens reinforces how important it is for employers to take care of their employees, and the responsibility they have. The small fire highlights the vulnerability and poverty the cratchitts suffer as a result of Scrooge being parsimonious, and indifferent. The symbol of fire can also be seen as foreshadowing of change, igniting hope, a direct contrast to scrooges later more generous warmth.
Stave 2 - “Remove me from this place” ,”Put out your light”
Emotional vulnerability first being shown when is confronted by his past, awakening feelings of sorrow and regret within him. The imperative verb “remove” and “put” depicts a desperation to reject the past, finding it unbearable. This emotional crack forebodes a potential for change, that there is emotion somewhere deep within.The truths he has spent years suppressing are being examined, and his rejection of it highlights his unwillingness to acknowledge the enotional and moral consequences of his actions. The “light” is a symbol of truth, revelation and self awareness, so scrooge extinguishing this expresses his desire to avoid the painful truths about the past and himself. Dickens foreshadows the change through this emotional distress in scrooge, a pivotal beginning of his transformation. Dickens portrayal of emotional distance serves as a critique of individuals who, in pursuit of material gain, lose sight of what truly matters. Dickens uses scrooges discomfort to show how his choices have led to a deep emotional and moral corruption, to show the long term emotional toll of neglecting humanity for financial success.
Stave 3 - “if you aught to teach me, let me profit from it”
Scrooge is focused on the practical value of the lessons the gocpr is tryna teach. ‘Profit’ in this scenario refers to how scrooge wants to apply the spirits teachings to his own actions and attitudes, though it is still clear he is doing it for a benefit or a reward as it is still business related language, greed.
Scrooge shows a resistance to change still, as ‘ought’ is still indicative of his formal attitude that is centred around himself and demanding a practical benefit. It reflects his ongoing resistance to fully embrace the spirits teachings, still somehwhat skeptical about the moral lessons being presented to him.
At this point he isnt fully open to abstract concepts such as kindness and generosity, requesting to ‘profit’ as proof that it will have a positive impact on his life. Still hesitant to moral and spititual growth. There is a gradual engagement in the spirits moral lessons, wanting to participate but still almost subconsciously needing a reward in return.
Stave 5 - “I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future…. I will not shut out the lessons they teach.”
Modal verb “will” signals his full acceptance of the idea he must change. Hes no longer rejecting, but accepting of the lessons delivered by the ghosts. Earlier he was stubborn and dismissive, now realising he must confront all aspects of his life- past mistakes, current behaviour, and consequences in the future- showing his willingness and certainty to embrace change.
It emphasises his newfound openness to personal growth, recognising how crucial these lessons are for his transformation. “shut out” Shows an understanding that previoudly he had ignored the lessons of life, signifying his ability to self reflect now.
Dickens wanted to construct scrooge as a character who conveys the theme of redemption in order to demonstrate that no one is beyond change, and able to live a more compassionate life, perhaps trying to inspire the Victorian society of the time to do so as scrooge had done too.
Stave 4 - “solemn dread”
“Solemn”- refers to something grave, serious or earnest, suggesting a sense of importance and confirming a somber mood. When paired with “dread” it heightens the intensity of scrooges fear, jot just casual but heavy. He feels a deep, unsettling sense of seriousness about the impending vision.
“Dread”- Suggests a sense of terror or horror. It reflects Scrooges fear of what the gocytc will show him about his death and fatal consequences. Scrooges dread stems from a realisation he has lived his life in a way that results in a lonely, regrettable end.
It is a profound and irreversible fear, highlighting the darkness and inevitability of death, making his consequences and story even more chilling. It sets a gothic and foreboding tone, no longer being the controlling, certain man he was before, showing how the spirits teachings have shaken him deeply. It also underscores the theme of mortality in the novella.
Dickens may have created this impending doom and gothic tone to generate the same chilling feeling within the readers, causing them to face their own immoral, ignorant behaviours, confronting it, and the consequences they may also face. Considering the Victorian audience were certainly superstitious and religious too, it could relate to religion and the eternal damnation they could face. This causes the readers to no longer deny their past behaviours.
