"The End of It" Flashcards
Give a summary of the chapter
Scrooge follows through on all the changes he’s promised to make
Nobody dies
Families are reunited
It’s Christmas
Classic happy ending
What literary techniques does Dickens use in the last chapter?
Similes to present Scrooge’s happiness and relief - “as light as a feather” “as happy as an angel” “as giddy as a drunken man”
Weather to reflect the changes in Scrooge’s temprament - there is “golden sunlight” and it’s “clear”, “bright” and “jovial” outside. The weather matches the mood of the chapter. Gives the reader the sense that it will be a happy ending.
Circular structure to help readers compare the before and after Scrooge with parallels e.g.
Fire before was weak and small. Now Scrooge lets Bob buy more coal
Scrooge resents paying Bob. Now he gives him a payrise.
Scooge’s dialogue is curt and bad-tempered. Now he speaks cheerfully and energetically
Scrooge rejects Fred’s Christmas invitation. Now he joins the family party
Refuses to wish anyone a Merry Christmas. now wishes everybody Merry Christmas.
Refuses to give to charity or the carol singer but now donates a large amount of money and praises the charity collectors’ work
His attitude to the poor and helping people - before thinks they should go to the workhouses or prison, or die. Now offers to help the Crachit family and he sees that it’s his responsibility. Buys them a turkey.
Money - was very mean before but now realises he can help by being generous
Christmas - before thought Christmas was about paying bills, but now understands the Christmas spirit. Happy walking down the street and saying Merry Christmas.
How do we know that Scrooge genuinely has changed?
He follows through on his promises (e.g. to help, give to charity, adopt the Christmas spirit)
He doesn’t ask for thanks - he sends the turkey anonymously. He doesn’t want any credit for it because he knows its the right thing to do.
What themes are highlighted in the final chapter?
Social responsibility - Scrooge now represents how Dickens felt the well-off should act towards the poor (i.e help them, be generous and not be uncaring)
The Christmas Spirit - Scrooge applies everything he’s learnt from the ghosts about the Christmas spirit (i.e it’s a time to be joyful, come together as families, be kind and generous).
Family - Scrooge is now part of 2 families (Fred’s and the Crachits - he is a “second father” to Tiny Tim) and has realised the importance of family (and not being alone). He sees love is unconditional.
