stave one Flashcards
“solitary as an oyster”
Use of simile could highlight how he lacks a sense of humanity when it comes to his core values, as he prioritises money and business (misanthropic nature).
Portrays scrooge as closed off and isolated, but also hints that he could potentially be concealing a hidden inner goodness.
Could foreshadow his eventual redemption.
“decrease the surplus population”
Reflects Scrooge’s callous and inhumane attitude towards poverty rooted in the malthusian ideas of the time, which Dickens critiques through Scrooge’s character.
He dismisses and dehumanises the poor and creates a barrier.
“i wear the chain i forged in life”
Links to religious context, relating to the idea of purgatory and the fear that Christian’s had of this imagery of punishment after death.
Signifies that his eternal suffering has been a consequence of his immoral and materialistic actions throughout lifetime, emphasising the importance of responsibility.
Chain resembles Marley’s burden of his past actions.
“Bah! Humbug”
Expresses Scrooge’s disdain and negativity towards Christmas and the festive spirit, often interpreted as a rejection of cheer and generosity.
Also highlights how dismissive Scrooge is towards Fred, his nephew, and his only remaining family.
“Scrooge had a very small fire, but his clerk’s was so much smaller, that it looked like one coal”
Fire and warmth symbolises generosity throughout the novella. The fact that Scrooge’s fire is ‘very small’ reflects his miserly character, whilst Cratchit’s fire of ‘one coal’ highlights the lack of generosity Scrooge provides his employee.
