Stave Five

Question 1

“I am as light as a feather; I am as happy as an angel; I am as merry as a schoolboy” – Scrooge speaking to himself

Answer 1

• Simile “light as a feather” indicates metaphorical lightness; Scrooge is unburdened from his isolation and feels free; emphasised through “feather,” which has connotations of flight. Antithesis to “chains” of Marley; Scrooge has eradicated these fetters and is free to live a life of purpose and philanthropy.
• Alternatively, “light,” “feather” and “angel” create a semantic field, biblically alluding to heaven; perhaps Scrooge has fostered a closer connection to God’s kingdom as a result of embracing the Christian values of generosity and loving thy neighbour. In this sense, similar to Fred, who saw Christmas as a “charitable” time. Scrooge has finally let this message into his heart.
• Moreover, “light” previously used to describe Tiny Tim in the aftermath of his death; used to signify his metaphorical lightness and joyful spirit; Scrooge is saved from his heaviness because he knows that he can save Tiny Tim. Dickens showed that to save oneself, you must first save others; this selfless message, he hoped, would resonate with wealthy members of Victorian society who fancied themselves as role models for others.

Question 2

“No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial… Golden sunlight” – Dickens describing the weather

Answer 2

• Pathetic fallacy of “no fog” indicates a lifting of Scrooge’s moral blindness; he can finally see the importance of being benevolent towards others; the pearl inside of the “oyster” has come forth and is ready to shine its “golden sunlight” into the world.
• From one point of view, “golden sunlight” metaphor could represent warmheartedness and form an antithesis to the “low temperature” of Scrooge at the start; from another perspective, “golden sunlight” could be seen as a biblical allusion to the kingdom of heaven; instead of the eternal suffering endured by Marley in his “chains,” Scrooge will enter into heaven upon his death because he has learned to care for others more than himself.
• “Sunlight” also a possible subtle reference back to Fred in Stave One, who was said to “sparkle” and be “all in a glow”; Scrooge’s newfound association with light and warmth connects the two characters; complete contrast to their antithetical presentation in Stave One and indicates how Scrooge now has the same warmth in him as his nephew, a warmth that he was previously unable to let in.

Question 3

“I am about to raise your salary” – Scrooge speaking to Bob Cratchit

Answer 3

• Raising of Bob’s salary symbolises Scrooge’s newfound benevolence towards the working class; he will avoid the death of Tiny Tim at all cost; he now sees the working class as people, not “surplus”.
• Antithesis to Stave One with Bob’s “smaller” fire; now, Scrooge treats Bob with benevolence and generosity; he has learned from the “happiness” spread by Fezziwig and looks up to him as a role model. Dickens wants upper classes to see Scrooge as their role model and to become philanthropic Victorian employers.
• Verb “raise” has connotations of improvement and enhancement; Dickens believes that the world would be a better place if we concentrated less on competition and profit and more on mutual assistance; antithetical to Malthus, who thought that the poor should receive no aid.

Question 4

“To Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father” (Scrooge’s change in attitude)

Answer 4

• Hyperbolic metaphor of “second father” suggests that Scrooge has become a role model for Tiny Tim due to his newfound joviality and generosity; also indicates a strong paternal protectiveness and compassion.
• On a deeper level, possibly a biblical allusion, since God often referred to as the “father”; maybe hints that Scrooge’s transformation is Christian in nature and he now has secured his connection to the one true god; no longer worships the false “idol” that meant the breaking off of his engagement to Belle.
• Capitalisation of “not” stands out in the novella; evokes a feeling of joy, relief and satisfaction; Dickens indicating that the downfall of humanity can be averted if we open ourselves to others as Scrooge does

Question 5

“God bless Us, Every One” – Dickens at the end of the story

Answer 5

• Final line of the novella; Dickens repeats Tiny Tim’s declaration to impart the final message: Christmas is a time for Christianity and for God. Scrooge has finally allowed the “golden sunlight” of Christianity into his life.
• “Every one” has connotations of universality and togetherness; society’s divisions are artificial and can be broken; we should strive towards a future where we all help one another and we are members of one body.
• Alternatively, “every one” could hint that we should never think of people as collectives, but as individuals; this was Scrooge’s mistake previously in thinking of the poor as “surplus population”; if we think of the poor as individuals, as Scrooge eventually does through the plight of Tiny Tim, we can avoid this mistake; perhaps that is why Dickens chooses to finish the novella by quoting Tiny Tim, emphasising his ideals of community spirit.