Scrooge - After Flashcards
Analyse quote “fell upon the heart of Scrooge with a softening influence, and gave a freer passage to his tears”
-This contrasts with the cold, hardened state of his heart earlier in the novella, when he dismisses the poor with callous indifference. Dickens frequently associates the heart with emotion and human warmth, and this moment marks the beginning of Scrooge’s emotional awakening.
-This softening is not abrupt or forceful but gentle, indicating that change is occurring naturally as Scrooge allows himself to feel and connect with the world around him. The choice of the word “influence” also implies that this transformation is external, likely stemming from the visions shown to him by the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, as well as the suffering he has witnessed.
-During the Victorian era, emotions—especially among men—were often suppressed due to societal expectations of stoicism and restraint. This was particularly true for individuals in positions of power and wealth, who were expected to prioritize logic and financial pragmatism over sentimentality. Scrooge, as a wealthy businessman, embodies this rigid mindset at the beginning of the novella. His inability to cry or express empathy mirrors the broader societal tendency to view poverty and suffering through an impersonal, detached lens.
-this moment is crucial in scrooges redemptive arc, dickens suggests that acknowledging and expressing one’s emotions is a necessary step toward redemption. Scrooge’s tears represent a release from his old, miserly self, making way for a kinder, more compassionate individual.
