Scrooge before changing Flashcards
He was as solitary as an oyster
What?
This simile implies that, like an oyster, Scrooge is shut up and impenetrable. He is lonely man, isolated from society.
More:
However, it is suggested that (if someone can forcibly “break” him) then they will find him inwardly to be soft and gentle. Dickens is implying that Scrooge has potential.
External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge.
What?
From a literal perspective, this quote is describing how the temperature doesn’t affect Scrooge (hence he never has the heating on). However, it’s subliminal message is that Scrooge is never receptive to the warmth of others, particularly the warmth of his friends and family. This continues the narrative of Scrooge’s isolation from society
Bah humbug
What?
During the period in which A Christmas Carol was written, ‘humbug’ meant trick.
Therefore Scrooge is arguing that Christmas is a trick - something designed to make people feel in a way that isn’t true. He, unlike others, will not fall for this ‘trick’.
I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry.
What?
The word ‘afford’ implies that to Scrooge everything is materialistic and transactional. He does not see Christmas/emotions as anything other than an expense which he cannot ‘afford’.
The poor should die if they want to, as it would “decrease the surplus population.”
What?
This quote serves as evidence of Scrooge’s intense dislike of the poor. He has no empathy towards them, and thinks of them simply as ‘lazy’. He believes that, if they are unwilling to work/go to the poorhouse, they should die and reduce the population.
“I wear the chain I forged in life… I made it link by link, and yard by yard…”
What?
Marley’s ghost explains to Scrooge the justice in his everlasting punishment. The choices he made in life, to value money and business over others’ welfare, created the chains he wears now. Marley’s punishment is of his OWN doing.
Marley suggests that, as Scrooge made similar choices to him, these chains await him too.
