In Victorian times, most of the readers would have been christian and would therefore heap additional judgement on Scrooge who needs to repent. Glorious! I think he wanted to make it accessible to all classes so he could better spread his message. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in A Christmas Carol, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Ultimately he tries to extinguish the ghost's light. Stave 5 - Scrooge walks the streets enjoying the company of others. My life tends that way, now., Bob Cratchit about Tiny Tims grave: I wish you could have gone. Themes= family/time/poverty. Being such a short story there is very little that is extraneous. Money 5. Dickens also suggests that, through his adoration of a false god, he is no longer a good christian. We can infer that the only other person he cared for was Marley and even that wasn't really because of a friendship. I defy himif he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying, Uncle Scrooge, how are you? If it only puts him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, thats something. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! My little, little child!'' The ribbon for the bookmark should be seven (inches, in) long. For characters like Fred and Bob Cratchit, Christmas represents the Christian ideal of goodness and moral prosperity, but Scrooge is at his most miserly when Christmas is mentioned. They now drag him down in death, and hes forced to wander the earth, unable to undo what he did before. ', 'secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. Description of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2, the holly symbolises Christmas. () A famous geographer Thomas Malthus came up with the theory that the poor were just surplus population and thus should be left to their own devices - even if this meant letting them die. This is one of Freds lines, and it really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle. Are there no prisons?'' Perfect for those studying the book at school (particularly GCSE students) or simply those wanting to learn more about it.For more in Dr Aidan's 'A Christmas Carol' series:The 10 Most Important Quotes in A Christmas Carol - https://youtu.be/8wpegV4ueYYPicture credits: Grim Reaper: openclipart.comCornucopia: openclipart.com Use if fairy tale convention, shows the story will have a magical ending. It has harsh imagery and the symbolism of cold, shows he is lacking Christmas spirit. The Ghost of Christmas yet to come is symbolic. The noun 'father' shows the idea that one laugh leads to another - happiness breeds happiness. Ideas about purgatory and hell would have been recognisable to the mainly Christian readership at the time - and would have made the allegory more frightening. () The famous phrase Humbug really means either shame or hoax. The ghost of Christmas future symbolizes death and the mistakes that are sure to haunt him after his death. Of course, Dickens does use his trademark lengthy descriptions but nearly everything has a point. Y. Themes= greed and generosity/time. Losing a business partner around Christmas time could not have been easy. Though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! Shows Bob's place of work, and shows scrooges harsh treatment on him. They were a boy and girl. Did the Anglo-Saxon period last between 449 and 1066? A Christmas Carol is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a stingy, cruel, wealthy, old bachelor.The book opens with a funeral. It was a worthy place. Dickens uses him to enable the reader to see that this is unfair, perhaps looking to make his readers reflect on the high mortality rate amongst poor children. The onomatopoetic verb 'gasping' makes the reader explicitly imagine the death, suggesting struggle and pain. 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. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Setting can help create an atmosphere or mood in a literary work. Stave 3 - Tiny Tim Past: "The curtains of his bed were drawn aside, I tell you, When the Ghost of Christmas Past arrives, the curtains of his bed were drawn aside by a hand. Here, it is clear that it is the ghost who makes the move the ghost actively. The reader does not know that Tim has died, so Dickens foreshadows his death through the use of the simile. Stave 1 - description of Scrooge's relationship with Marley. 1. You must cook those fresh eggs for that kind of special salad. This is evident in his early relationship with his nephew Fred. A description of the ghost of Christmas present. However, it could also be argued that ignorance reflects the lack of education of the poor. The two children are the personification of man's ills - ignorance and want. 6. Watching Scrooge forge his own invisible chain served as part of Marley's punishment for his deeds in life. The list of adjectives show his wealth but also his warmth and generosity towards others. uses long and short clauses to show how busy they are. Analysis. Gone are the puritanical values that banned Christmas, and, also, to a large degree, gone as well are the memories of Christmas as a serious and religious celebration of the birth of Christ. All rights reserved. These include Scrooge's cold nature, the power of wealth, and loss. This compares directly with the explicit description of Scrooge at the start of the novel where even beggars will not speak to him. In the first stave of A Christmas Carol, the following quote is really important in characterizing Scrooge:. This mirrors the Victorian rich's attitude to the poor. The word 'business' reflects Scrooge's earlier response to the portly gentlemen. So we have tried where possible to focus on the most vital sections of the novella. 'A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire'. scientist; is. 'a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Pathetic fallacy - Scrooge can see now clearly - reinforced by the adjectives juxtaposing the foggy, misty scenes of earlier chapters when Scrooge could not see the error of his ways. - 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. In this case, Ebeneezer and Fezziwig are both business owners with employees, but where they diverge is in their treatment of others and in their outlook on life. So while he did not invent these particular traditions many people credit him with popularizing them. Marley 2. Then, choose the verb form that agrees in number with the subject. Whoop! Dickens clearly uses them to represent what employment should be like. It is uncared for just as he was uncared for, gasping out his last alone. This shows scrooges lack of empathy for the poor people around christmas time not regarding their life or family, this is used to show a change later on in the book with him not donating to the 2 gentleman at the start but him donating to them at the end of the play- Scrooge to the two gentleman, Marley during his life was a harsh businessman similar to scrooge and he was also very uptight not giving money to charity or other good causes. cried Bob. The childhood innocence has been 'shrivelled' and 'twisted' showing the ill effects of their treatment. No, Spirit! He is designed to show that the wealthy can make a significant difference. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. Active Themes Here, readers are exposed to the ghost of Christmas yet to come. The ghost breaks the news to Scrooge that the person whose death has been talked about so callously was his own. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. 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. Studying 'A Christmas Carol'? He doesn't believe it, but when he goes to the window, the street is deserted and dark as nighttime. Themes= time/Christmas, "A solitary child, neglected by his friends.". "[He called out in a] comfortable,oily, rich. 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. The girl is want. jovial voice.". The adjective 'common' shows the reader that the poor only want those things which should be normal and available for all - the 'common' things rather than luxuries. This may be a way of showing what Dickens thinks should be happening. "the phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached", A description of the ghost of Christmas future; he is the darkest of the spirits, a reminder to scrooge of his terrible fate if he fails to learn his lesson. The verb sparkled has magical and positive connotations, shows Fred is the antithesis of scrooge. Exhausted- "i cannot rest,i cannot stay, i cannot linger anywhere.". It would have done you good to see how green a place it is.". "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?". But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another and contented with the time. A description of scrooge as a young boy, he was left alone at school as others enjoyed their holidays. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop forgiving- "to Mr Scrooge, the founder of the feast.". He teaches scrooge to learn from his mistakes of his past. When you analyse poverty in A Christmas Carol, you may want to reference the setting as well as using direct quotes from characters. Such as the graveyard at the end. These compare with the bells at the start of the novel, signifying the hellish arrival of Marley's ghost. Bitter- "no wind that blew was bitterer than he. As a result of this he was damned to walk as a ghost chained with money boxes surrounding him. ', 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. Im sure you will all e familiar with the one percent statistic. ``My little child!''. "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell! It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents. Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas. Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes a effort with scrooge. Discuss why you think the poet made these choices. Does this line support or contradict the speaker's statement in the final stanza, "Nothing really happened"? Belle to Scrooge: "Another idol has displaced me a golden one.". Whatever the book. International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom, 2023 Book Analysis. The Cratchits are generous and loving in very difficult circumstances. 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. I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Timshall weor this first parting that there was among us? Whatever the genre. Bob Crachit and the Cratchit Family Quotes, A Christmas Carol- The Ghost of Christmas Pre, 'An Inspector Calls' Key Quotations Analysis, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, Grade 7, myPerspectives: Grade 10, Volume 2 California Edition, myPerspectives, English Language Arts, Grade 8, California My Perspectives English Language Arts, Grade 9, Volume Two. Recognizing Progressive Forms and Tenses. Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words and was overcome with penitence and grief. QUOTES THAT SHOW POVERTY IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Macbeth quotes, Key quotes from Macbeth, Macb, 2019 GCSE AQA Triple Higher Biology Paper 2 (, Paper 2 Chemistry Topics 6-10 TRIPLE AQA GCSE, Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar Grade 8, Grammar Exercise Workbook, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, California (Grade 9, Volume 1), myPerspectives: American Literature, California Volume 2, Holt McDougal Literature: American Literature Grade 11, Texas Edition. A Christmas Carol Quotes 50 of the best book quotes from A Christmas Carol 01 Share "God bless us every one!" Charles Dickens author God person A Christmas Carol book Tiny Tim character christmas blessings concepts 02 Share "Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering." Charles Dickens author Stave 2 - Scrooge becomes distressed by what he is seeing. ". Here, Scrooge is talking about Fezziwig and how he uses his wealth to lift others up. Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/themes-and-analysis/. Oh, glorious! Click the card to flip Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by AIC-CREATOR-TD Terms in this set (36) The Ghost of Christmas Past is an interesting vision it changes shape and size, it has many arms and then a few, it seems distant and close, old and young in fact it seems riddled with contradictory images. 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. Stave 4 - the final ghost Where graceful youth should have filled their features out a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them. 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. The idea that they shake hands with each person 'individually' shows the humanity with which they treat everyone - they do not see the poor as 'creatures' Scrooge. A merry Christmas to everybody! This poignant moment arrives when Scrooge is looking at Christmas yet to come. It is a dark, sad moment but Bob Cratchit handles the situation with grace and dignity. "It was long and wound about him like a til.". He carried his own low temperature always about with him', 'No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him', 'It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal', 'Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. The clerks sprinting home juxtaposes Scrooge's dinner in a melancholy tavern. Whatever the book. And perhaps its because we know the story so well, or maybe because it is pretty obvious, most readers will probably understand that they are in fact commenting on Scrooge. Home Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Themes and Analysis. This means that Scrooge is implying Christmas was designed to trick and fool people into spending money. With the title of the book being A Christmas Carol you would expect Christmas to feature prominently throughout the novel. So, therefore, we should take responsibility for being a positive influence. A Christmas Carol is rarely classified as a gothic novel. Check ()(\checkmark)() the blank before each sentence that contains a subordinate clause. Oh! Summary. There is no magic formula to revision but this three-point The description of the children is designed to shock the reader. Spirit! he cried, tight clutching at his robe, hear me! No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. Tiny Tim is frequently referred to in Christian terms - as though his true goodness is close to God. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. As readers, Dickens is allowing us to reflect on how far Scrooge has come in learning the lesson - and perhaps asking us to reflect on our own learning. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir. Stave 1 - Scrooge's rponse to being asked to give money to charity, "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.". Charles Dickens only really scratched the surface of this. This quote is trying to say that Marley should've cared more about the people rather than his business - Marley, This opposes to the way that he conveyed his feelings to everyone at the start of the novel this shows his change and how he improved by the end, Therefore I am about to raise your salary, This shows a strong change in scrooges character as at the start of the novel with the 2 gentleman he was not willing to donate any money to them and now he is raising Bob Cratchits salary, This shows Tiny Tim's appreciation of Scrooge even when his mother doesnt think that scrooge deserves the praise, Another idol has displaced me a golden one. Themes= time/Christmas/generosity and forgiveness. The hellish atmosphere is emphasised by the fact that the ghost's clothing and hair appears to move as though in an updraft of heat, suggesting that the ghost is in hell. Partially because of the nature of its main character. Without the ghost of Christmas future, Scrooge wouldve been unlikely to change. "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. sungiemarie. Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with the 10 key quotes in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', along with in-depth analysis, to he. How does the speaker begin and end "Incident"? ". 'He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. It could also show that, as it has been so long since he was happy, he finds it difficult to describe. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didnt thaw it one degree at Christmas. 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. 'Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend and sole mourner'. A Christmas Carol is a well-loved and commonly read novel that focuses on themes of Christmas and poverty. " Scrooge entered timidly and hung . For a start, there is the use of ghosts throughout. Total Abstinence Principle more hilarious punning from Dickens. About Scrooge: As solitary as an oyster., External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge., If they would rather die, said Scrooge, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population., Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it., Marleys Ghost: Mankind was my business., Marleys Ghost: I am here to-night to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate., There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. Stave 5 - The response of the portly gentleman to the money Scrooge wants to give him: Scrooge was better than his word. Given an unexpected opportunity to communicateperhaps as a Christmas miracleMarley feels determined to help Scrooge and he warns him here. The metaphor shows he is rigid in his unfeeling behaviour to others. Example: The scientist, along with her two assistants, (is, are) working on a computer simulation of earthquake activity. The adjective dismal connotes a lack of light and hopeless atmosphere. 'This boy is ignorance.most of all beware the boy"-Stave 3-Ghost of Christmas present Metaphor. Stave one About Scrooge: "As solitary as an oyster." "External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge." "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." "Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it." Hallo!" Click the card to flip Definition 1 / 5 Scrooge has undergone a metamorphoses - he has literally been reborn as a new man. A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens On this page, readers can explore the quotes, they are broadly separated into a few sub-categories. The Ghost of Christmas Present greets Scrooge from on top of a pile of luxurious Christmas fare. Themes= Christmas/greed and generosity/family. " He also argues that Time is precious to me. This is most telling of all: whereas the old Scrooge saw little of value beyond his money hole, now he sees the truth that Time itself is precious; and it is, in fact, the most precious thing we. Throughout the book, Dickens makes use of metaphors, personification, imagery, and more. 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!' as if its hold were of uncommon strength." 'A Christmas Carol' is a widely studied book filled with memorable quotes. Part of the reason that A Christmas Carol is so widely studied is the abundance of different themes that it touches upon. The two children Ignorance and Want represents the attitudes of the rich to the poor in Victorian society. All rights reserved. ', "Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.". The simile has connotations of stillness and endings. Dickens wished to educate people about the personal consequences of maintaining such an attitude, Scrooge's former staff can be seen selling of his old things as they were not paid sufficiently when he was alive, Stave 1/3: 'If he be like to die, he better do it and decrease the surplus population', Stave 3: 'wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable', Stave 3: 'The girl is ignorance, the boy is want', 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. For example, the first ghost is a metaphor for how memories and the past shape ones experience, while the last ghost is a metaphor for death and ones legacy. Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/quotes/. The tone is impatient as he does so. Copyright2007 - 2023 Revision World Networks Ltd. He always did!". enthusiastic- "a merry Christmas uncle. Analysing the evidence "I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. "Business!" The adjective solitary and neglected highlight his feelings of loneliness and isolation, creating sympathy for him. "The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune.". Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late 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 idea that anybody would be so callous about the dead is quite jarring and would have been especially impactful with a conservative Victorian readership. If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. Along with the words, 'sole' and 'solitary' used throughout the novel to suggest that each individual must take responsibility for his own choices - just as Marley is paying for his individual sins. In this quote, Dickens describes London as a dark and dangerous place. Only financial gain. ". ', 'I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! The dying fire at the beginning of the novel symbolizes Scrooges lack of either. Th onomatopoeia here makes the bells sound particularly noise -and yet Scrooge sees them as 'glorious' which is suggestive of noises from heaven. 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 list of verbs, gives the spirit a threatening air- this is compounded by the fact that he does not speak to scrooge at all. cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop I can't afford to make idle people merry. Stave 3 - Christmas at Fred's Jacob Marleys demise is possibly part of what shaped Scrooge into the person that he is. At this point, Scrooges character has become fairly well established but the reason that this particular meeting is of such importance is that it highlights Scrooges outlook towards the poor as well as provides his comments about how the poor should be treated. 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." "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." It would have done you good to see how green a place it is., Bob Cratchit about Freds kindness: It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us., About Scrooges grave: overrun by grass and weeds., Scrooge on what he has learnt: I will not shut out the lessons that they teach., Scrooge: The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me., Scrooge: I am as light as a feather, I am a happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. The workers will be repairing the building. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish. I think this is why the character of Fezziwig exists to show that Scrooge is not representative of all the upper classes. He is described as been so dislike that even the weather is better in that at least it 'comes down' gracefully. "It was a large house but one of broken fortunes.". "Are there no prisons?" The adjectives: genial show his joy/ cheer, sparkling presents tense- has connotations of light and magic and open emphasises his generosity.Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas. 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. Christmas is now a time for family, friends and feeling good. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. Stave 1 - why the portly gentlemen are collecting for the poor We have never had any quarrel, to which I have been a party. I am as giddy as a drunken man. Bob describes his crippled son. In what ways does the text indicate lbn Batutta's social status? ". When he sees Tiny Tim and his jubilance despite his disadvantages, Scrooge cannot help but feel compassion and by association guilt, as he has seen from the effect Fezziwg had on his staff that he could have a similar influence on Tiny Tim. Dickens, therefore, is attacking the Malthusian capitalist theories. Oh! 'The Ghosts' in A Christmas Carol (Key Quotes & Analysis) Dr Aidan 22.1K subscribers Subscribe 47K views 3 years ago Studying A Christmas Carol? Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. The final ghost is by far the most scary of the three it remains silent throughout their time together, only standing by as a guide, and leaving Scrooge and the reader to work out the story himself. Representing Victorian society. With key quotes \u0026 analysis, this video provides an ideal format to gain a greater understanding of this novella in a matter of minutes.
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