The image of the 'lonely boy near a feeble fire' reflects very closely the older Scrooge we have seen, alone eating gruel. With key quotes \u0026 analysis, this video provides an ideal format to gain a greater understanding of this novella in a matter of minutes. The Ghost of Christmas Present greets Scrooge from on top of a pile of luxurious Christmas fare. Oh, glorious! Oh! "Its genial face, its sparking eye, its open hand. So, therefore, we should take responsibility for being a positive influence. These words are then used against him by the ghost of the Christmas present. I should like to have given him something: thats all., About the Fezziwig family: shaking hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas., Scrooge about Mr Fezziwig: The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune., Belle to Scrooge: Another idol has displaced me., Belle about Scrooge: I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master passion, Gain, engrosses you., Belles husband to Belle about Scrooge: Quite alone in the world, I do believe., There was nothing very cheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of cheerfulness abroad., About the Ghost of Christmas Present: Sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch., About the Cratchits goose: a feathered phenomenon., There never was such a goose. It is too much linked to his miserly ways thus suggesting that the learning is not finished yet. Draw an arrow from each underlined word to the word it modifies. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. However, some of the scenes are to help develop Scrooge's character and add backstory. Themes= greed and generosity/time. Below one can explore the themes, symbols, and more that appear throughout the novel. "[He called out in a] comfortable,oily, rich. The Fezziwigs throw a party and treat everyone the same - no matter their status. However, it could also be argued that ignorance reflects the lack of education of the poor. Marley 2. The adjective monstrous, creates a negative impression of the man, almost evil, and reinforces Dickens message that it was the ignorance of the rich that created many society's problems. "His eyes sparkled and his breath smocked.". Click the card to flip Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by AIC-CREATOR-TD Terms in this set (36) Home Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Best Quotes. Fezziwg really represents what Scrooge has and what he could (and eventually does) become. What I think is really clever is that the story is framed so that when we see the ghost of Christmas past, seeing the things that shaped Scrooge into the man he is at the beginning of the play starts to let us feel sympathy for him so that when he is offered a second chance as a reader, we are glad he gets to redeem himself. Fred in A Christmas Carol - Characters - AQA - BBC Bitesize Whereas the line about being solitary as an oyster suggests that Scrooge refuses to let anybody into his life. The tremors of the great San Francisco earthquake that occurred in 1906 (was, were) estimated to have measured 8.3 on the Richter scale. Studying Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'? For a start, there is the use of ghosts throughout. but stopped at the first syllable', Repeated phrase (Juxtaposition and patterning), Stave 5: 'Hear me! Stave 1 - Scrooge's response to the gentlemen saying that people would rather die than go to the workhouse. Did the Anglo-Saxon period last between 449 and 1066? Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with the 10 key quotes in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', along with in-depth analysis, to he. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Each sentence below contains a verb Here, Scrooge is talking about Fezziwig and how he uses his wealth to lift others up. This went against what Victorians considered to be a 'good death' where you die surrounded by friends and family and then are mourned afterwards. The adjectives squeezing and wrenching, etc., relate to how one should imagine him with money, refusing to let go of his wealth. Dickens also suggests that, through his adoration of a false god, he is no longer a good christian. Family Theme Analysis. His house is dark - which reflects the darkness in his character and also adds to the gothic atmosphere of his house. Stave 4 - Tiny Tim's burial place is eden like - as, despite his poverty and place in life, he was good and will be welcomed by god. The key theme for Dickens is that money does not lead to happiness, Greed is the single factor that is responsible for the breakup of Scrooge's marriage, 'Another idol has displaced me a golden one', Stave 2: 'The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune', The Cratchit family are used as a depiction of a family in poverty, More than any other time in history there was a huge divide between classes, the lower classes lived in deperate poverty and were in want while the upper classes enjoyed a life of luxury, Stave 1: 'Many thousands are in want of common necessities, sir and many hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts', Scrooge's staff selling off his old goods, Victorian aristocracy were very keen to remain ignorant about the sufferings of the poor. In Victorian times, the deceased were usually dressed in their best clothes for burial but here, Scrooge's clothes after death have been removed and sold for money. Key quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Thus Dickens is ending with the message that we can all change our selfish ways and be a positive influence. This is clearly not possible. Scrooges changing attitude is never better highlighted than in his initial responses to the three ghosts. "', The ghost of Christmas present focuses greatly on the Crachit family and how, despite their poor financial situation, In the Victorian era, family and family time were extremely important, particularly around Christmas, ' A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. ". She looked at me as if I had insulted her. Stave 4 - About Scrooge's grave: the adjective idle reveals scrooge believes the poor are lazy and are to be blamed for their own situation. Glorious! Dr Aidan, PhD, brings you the second video in his 'A Christmas Carol' series, looking here at the role and importance of the ghosts in this story. uses long and short clauses to show how busy they are. Himself, always. The book also explores what you might call the true meaning of Christmas and while this might not be true from a Christian standpoint, from a morality/spiritual view, you could claim that it really does help to make that point. A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens On this page, readers can explore the quotes, they are broadly separated into a few sub-categories. A merry Christmas to everybody! Active Themes Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late I am not the man I was. that this creature, who appears to be both young and old, is an image of Jesus who was a baby at Christmas and yet who, as the son of God, represents the divine wisdom that Christians worship. cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. () The famous phrase Humbug really means either shame or hoax. ', 'secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. Underline the word or symbol in parentheses that best completes each sentence. Hallo there! Scrooge becomes part of two families: Dickens reveals that we are part of not only our blood relatives but also a wider family that of society. Scrooge. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and, If that spirit goes not forth in life, it is, them both, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is, squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner." A Christmas Carol - Quotes and Analysis Stave 1 Stave 2 Stave 3 Stave 4 Stave 5 ( ) The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop Then there are some of the settings contained in A Christmas Carol. Foul weather didnt know where to have him. Key quotes from a Christmas Carol- Stave 2, A Christmas Carol Vocabulary, A Christmas Car, myPerspectives, English Language Arts, Grade 8, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, California (Grade 9, Volume 1), myPerspectives: English Language Arts, Grade 7, myPerspectives: Grade 10, Volume 2 California Edition, A Christmas Carol - quotation analysis-Stave. The multiple similes emphasise Scrooge's joy and elation at his second chance. Fred, as Scrooge's foil, is a kind, forgiving character who is determined to give Scrooge the same chance every year. ", 'A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy., Scrooge says to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart., Two Business Colleagues: Its likely to be a very cheap funeral, said the same speaker; for upon my life I dont know of anybody to go to it., Scrooge to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: I see, I see. Dickens uses these characters to challenge popular preconceptions that the wealthy had about the poor - preconceptions which led to support for the poor law and the workhouses. Money 5. - Scrooge, Is scrooges staple opinion to christmas at the start of stave one, showing off his negative opinions to begin with, this is used to emphasise the change in scrooges character from the beginning to the end. "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. Stave 3 - Christmas at Fred's Changing the way you learn | Mind Map - GoConqr 'A Christmas Carol' Key Quotations Stave 5 Analysis Term 1 / 5 "I am light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. But it does share a lot of gothic conventions. A description of the school house that Scrooge was left in as a child, by his family. Scrooge is presented as a miserly character - his money does not even bring him any happiness. In this quote, Dickens describes London as a dark and dangerous place. Home Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Themes and Analysis. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. We are reminded of the contrast between the rendered status. Belle "Our contract is an old one. Ultimately he tries to extinguish the ghost's light. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs. The words of the charwoman, who disgusts Scrooge, in the rag 'n' bone man's shop reflect the views to which Scrooge subscribed at the start of the novella when he declared that the poor were not his 'business' implying that his only business was himself. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. Such as the graveyard at the end. Themes= time/Christmas, "A solitary child, neglected by his friends.". There is a very real suggestion that Scrooge knows that the people are describing him. A merry Christmas to everybody! ', Where the portly gentlemen explain to Scrooge about the plight of the poor and the responsibility of the rich to deal with it, In Stave 5, Scrooge begins to redeem himself for all the terrible things he did in the past, Victorian society was still extremely religious at this point and they believed strongly in the impact of sin upon the treatment of one in the afterlife, The way that Scrooge worships money would have been considered as sinful at the time as it is in a way idolising something that is not the holy lord, Stave 5: 'that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge', Stave 1: 'A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping clutching, covetous old sinner! Leading up to this moment it appears as if Scrooge already fears that this is the case, but that does not detract from the tension that Charles Dickens can create here. All rights reserved. Stave 4 - the final ghost ". In many ways, it is the child who can most tug on Scrooges heartstrings. "Quite alone in the world, I do believe.". The most clearly religious image though is how it wears a tunic of purest white, as though it is a pure, innocent Angel sent to guide him. Gives the impression of a festive being, full of Christmas spirit. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. Without the ghost of Christmas future, Scrooge wouldve been unlikely to change. ', 'He was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked', Christmas is a time when people 'Think of the people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. Why show me this, if I am past all hope! For the first time, the hand appeared to shake. Scrooge's sympathy for himself leads to sympathy for the carol singer from the night before. Scrooges offences carry their own punishments. Tiny Tim's comment is generous in spirit, seeing his disability positively as it will remind others of the true meaning of Christmas by allowing them to think of Jesus on Christmas day. A Christmas Carol is rarely classified as a gothic novel. A description of Fezziwig, a rich merchant t whom Scrooge is apprentice. The use of the word 'alone' is repeated showing again that selfishness will lead to a life of loneliness. This quote from Fred shows him having opposing views to his uncle scrooge, Fred tries to make Scrooge someone who enjoys christmas however it is not him that makes scrooge appreciate it. 'The Ghosts' in A Christmas Carol (Key Quotes & Analysis) This is fitting because it is traditionally colder at Christmas but also because the cold is an apt metaphor for Scrooges personality. This compares directly with the explicit description of Scrooge at the start of the novel where even beggars will not speak to him. I think this is why the character of Fezziwig exists to show that Scrooge is not representative of all the upper classes. 2003-2023 Chegg Inc. All rights reserved. 'Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons'. ``Are there no workhouses? Instead, once you know and understand the plot, a great idea is to pick three or four major themes, and three or four major characters, and revise them in great detail. The noun 'idol' shows that Belle believes Scrooge is so enamoured of money that he worships it. Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late GCSE (9-1): Literature: A Christmas Carol: Key Quotes: Key - Quizlet 35 Best Ebenezer Scrooge Quotes From 'A Christmas Carol' - Kidadl Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas/poverty. The opening line says, ''Marley was dead: to begin with. He greets Scrooge with a drink that makes him feel good: the milk of human kindness though one could be forgiven for seeing an alcoholic connection and then takes him on a tour of Christmases around the country. ffects the change, pulling the curtains aside with his own hand. By this stage, Scrooge has already begun to see the error of his ways and has realised that he will benefit from the messages he is receiving and so he begins to take agency over the situation. Refine any search. Partially because of the nature of its main character. Where graceful youth should have filled their features out a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them. Contrasting similes emphasise his god like figure- he is at once innocent and knowledgeable. Scrooge awakes and finds his room as dark as when he fell asleep at two o'clock. Everyone is entitled to be a little happier on Christmas, and the Ghost of Christmas Present helps them to be so. Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes a effort with scrooge. however, her reference to their father suggests that he had not been kind in the past, thus reinforcing our sympathy. Repetition of 'chuckle' emphasises Scrooge's newfound delight in giving. The two children are the personification of man's ills - ignorance and want. Tail has connotations of the devil- reinforcing evil image. Whatever the book. 'A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire'. The idea that anybody would be so callous about the dead is quite jarring and would have been especially impactful with a conservative Victorian readership. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. This shows scrooges selfishness and his addiction to money with belle feeling replace with money she feels like she doesnt matter to him and that all he cares about is money. My little, little child!'' Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. the strength of Scrooge's dismay about hearing his own words repeated back to him is reinforced through the use of the nouns, penitence and grief. God save you! Setting can help create an atmosphere or mood in a literary work. Stave 2 - Scrooge's response to the ghost saying that it was only a small thing that Fezziwig did. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your company and do it with a thankful heart', Stave 1: 'He tried to say 'Humbug!' The childhood innocence has been 'shrivelled' and 'twisted' showing the ill effects of their treatment. Family Theme in A Christmas Carol | LitCharts In what ways did Louis XV differ from Louis XIV? Dickens considers ignorance the worst, because it leads to want. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir. The spirit of Christmas is personified in his open heart, open hand, and outstretched arm. Hangman - Try to complete the word by picking the correct letters. The girl is want. The Cratchits are generous and loving in very difficult circumstances. Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas. Stave 1 - description of Scrooge's house Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror he viewed them with a detestation and disgust. ". Xmas Present - This makes scrooge realise that he needs to change or Tiny Tim will die young which is the one of the first stages of scrooges change. Stave 2 - Belle breaks off the engagement. Bitter- "no wind that blew was bitterer than he. - Scrooge, Ever idiot who goes around with merry xmas on his lips should be buried with a stake of holly through his heart, The use of nature with a type of plant typically seen around christmas time makes scrooges comment even more menacing saying that they should kill him with the very thing that is giving him happiness in that certain period.- Scrooge. Stave 2 - the spirit takes him to past Christmases including seeing Scrooge alone at school. The list of verbs, gives the spirit a threatening air- this is compounded by the fact that he does not speak to scrooge at all. In defending Fezziwig, he is taught a lesson and makes him think about how he treats his clerk, leading to his second moment of regret in which he'd like to 'say a word to two' to Bob. Stave 5 - The response of the portly gentleman to the money Scrooge wants to give him: Scrooge was better than his word. This is a great description, wanders around holding a candle snuffer that looks like a hat. "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?". Stave 1 - description of Marley's ghost This is said by criminals who plundered/ stole from scrooge after he died. Studying 'A Christmas Carol'? The description of the figure who is both like a child and like an old man, is suggestive of the journey that the ghost takes him on. The ghost is dressed in green reminiscent both of the Green Man from Pagan mythology, and also the traditional character of St Nicholas or Father Christmas, who has more recently come to symbolise the holiday period. This almost prompts a realization in Scrooge as he catches on to the fact that his wealth provides him (and indeed Fezziwig) with the power to make people happy. Instant PDF downloads. He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge. Scrooge will avoid spirits for the rest of his life geddit? The repetition of the adjective 'good' reinforces this idea. ', "Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.". He doesn't believe it, but when he goes to the window, the street is deserted and dark as nighttime. The Christmas Spirit I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time the only time when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers. ', Stave 1: 'that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. Stave 2 - The first of the three spirits Dickens creates sympathy for the poor, through the Crachit's and their tight knit family. Mr and Mrs Fezziwig ..'.shaking hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas.'. ", cynical- "what's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money", Isolated- "secret and self-contained, and solitary like an oyster.