christmas carol key quotes and analysis
Themes= family/time/poverty. 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. () At the time, Camden town would have been a crowded suburb. Example: The scientist, along with her two assistants, (is, are) working on a computer simulation of earthquake activity. Scrooge is not unfortunate in the way of relatives - he has a family awaiting his . The childhood innocence has been 'shrivelled' and 'twisted' showing the ill effects of their treatment. A happy New Year to all the world. "His eyes sparkled and his breath smocked.". My life tends that way, now., Bob Cratchit about Tiny Tims grave: I wish you could have gone. Theme= poverty/greed and generosity. cried Bob. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. To Kill a Mockingbird -Analysis of Major Characters. A merry Christmas to everybody! His selfish ways have left him this way. This mirrors the Victorian rich's attitude to the poor. So while he did not invent these particular traditions many people credit him with popularizing them. Click the card to flip Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by AIC-CREATOR-TD Terms in this set (36) 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. A Christmas Carol (Key Answers) Chapter 1 1. 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. Scrooge realises that his love with money is the reason he pushed everyone away. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Version 1 December 2016 . A description of Fezziwig, a rich merchant t whom Scrooge is apprentice. There is a very real suggestion that Scrooge knows that the people are describing him. How does the speaker begin and end "Incident"? 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. "Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.". Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/themes-and-analysis/. Only financial gain. 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. ', 'I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! Fezziwig's office has a large fire which adds to the welcoming atmosphere, offering the reader an additional opportunity to compare it to Scrooge's cold office with the meagre fire. Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with the 10 key quotes in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', along with in-depth analysis, to he. 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. 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. 'Long and wound about him like a tail made of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses.'. Spirit! he cried, tight clutching at his robe, hear me! I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Timshall weor this first parting that there was among us? The noun 'father' shows the idea that one laugh leads to another - happiness breeds happiness. however, her reference to their father suggests that he had not been kind in the past, thus reinforcing our sympathy. I am not the man I was', When Scrooge sees the name on the gravestone, he realises that time for change is limited, The ghost of Christmas past shows Scrooge some memories that may have been lost to time, Stave 2: 'each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long forgotten', Stave 4: 'Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only? But it does share a lot of gothic conventions. Stave 1 - description of Scrooge's relationship with Marley. A description of the ghost of Christmas past, who symbolises memory and who shows scrooge events from the past. This girl is Want. The simile has connotations of stillness and endings. 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. Himself, always. I am as giddy as a drunken man., Scrooge was better than his word. Stave 3 - description of Mrs Cratchit 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. External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. He did it all and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father., He knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the Knowledge.. He begins with no compassion for others but eventually learns a better way to live. 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 clerks sprinting home juxtaposes Scrooge's dinner in a melancholy tavern. The adjectives squeezing and wrenching, etc., relate to how one should imagine him with money, refusing to let go of his wealth. You must cook those fresh eggs for that kind of special salad. Stave 2 - The first of the three spirits 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. Fire symbolizes emotion and warmth. 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! 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." 'A Christmas Carol' is a widely studied book filled with memorable quotes. Watching Scrooge forge his own invisible chain served as part of Marley's punishment for his deeds in life. Draw one line under each main verb and two lines under each auxiliary verb. Contrasting similes emphasise his god like figure- he is at once innocent and knowledgeable. "Reeked with crime, and filth, and misery". This symbolises his generosity and air of festivity. 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. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. Whatever the book. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. a squeezing, wrenching . This is where the clerk lives. Scrooges offences carry their own punishments. Stave 2 - the Fezziwig's party Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas. God bless us!, At the time people rid themselves of any guilt by blaming the poor for the fact they were poor. Bitter- "no wind that blew was bitterer than he. He is described as been so dislike that even the weather is better in that at least it 'comes down' gracefully. The silent. Stave 2 - the spirit takes him to past Christmases including seeing Scrooge alone at school. 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. It is this love that consoles him in stave 4 when Tiny Tim is shown to be dead, a long with the memories of Tiny Tim as a patient and loving boy. Lord bless me!" 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. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He spreads joy over all like a force of nature. However, some of the scenes are to help develop Scrooges character and add backstory. A Christmas Carol Key Quotes and Analysis. Themes= greed and generosity/time. Stave 3 - ignorance and want sungiemarie. 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 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 If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. 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. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. The Fezziwigs throw a party and treat everyone the same - no matter their status. Part of the reason that A Christmas Carol is so widely studied is the abundance of different themes that it touches upon. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. The verbs suggest age, disfiguration and pain suggesting how unnatural their conditions are that have led to this. The description of the children is designed to shock the reader. The opening line says, ''Marley was dead: to begin with. cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. This is clearly not possible. No, Spirit! Discuss why you think the poet made these choices. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.'. Towards the end of the book, Scrooge has clearly learnt that fact and decides to spend his remaining days sharing his time, his wealth, and enjoying the fruits of his fellow men. "The cold within him froze his old features", Early description of scrooge. Th onomatopoeia here makes the bells sound particularly noise -and yet Scrooge sees them as 'glorious' which is suggestive of noises from heaven. Hes comparing Cratchits actual body temperature to Scrooges personality. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. This is a great description, wanders around holding a candle snuffer that looks like a hat. All rights reserved. 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. Whoop! The reader does not know that Tim has died, so Dickens foreshadows his death through the use of the simile. The two children Ignorance and Want represents the attitudes of the rich to the poor in Victorian society. Scrooge is presented as a miserly character - his money does not even bring him any happiness. The adjective dismal connotes a lack of light and hopeless atmosphere. Partially because of the nature of its main character. Hallo!" Click the card to flip Definition 1 / 5 Ignorance could represent the wealthy upper classes who are ignorant of what they must do to help. 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. "I wish you could have gone. Tiny Tim is frequently referred to in Christian terms - as though his true goodness is close to God. Of course, there is still a massive equality gap between the rich and the poor. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop 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. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/quotes/. Whatever the genre. On this page, readers can explore the quotes, they are broadly separated into a few sub-categories. They are likely to be of even higher class than Scrooge but are choosing to do good for the poor. ', 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. Fan is portrayed with affection - and her term of endearment shows that Scrooge has known affection. ". But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! By the time he reaches the third ghost The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come he orders the ghost, using the imperative phrase Lead on! He is in control now, and wants the change desperately enough to be forceful about it. "Business!" The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it costs a fortune. Below one can explore the themes, symbols, and more that appear throughout the novel. () The introduction of the portly gentlemen provide an opposition to Scrooge. Themes= poverty/family/greed and generosity. Hallo there! ), phrases like holding a candle for someone mean to remember them, while candles are used in c. Scrooge finishes the stave by putting out the candle, which shows him symbolically putting down his past leaving behind the resentment he has harboured at having lost his childhood to neglect. He has learned his lesson and been transformed from darkness into light - which is reflected in the world around him. 'Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend and sole mourner'. The innocence of the 'angel' and the 'schoolboy' contrast with the hellish image of Marley's ghost, showing the reader that he will be saved. 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!' Whatever the book. ". Inclusive now of society - not isolated and solitary. That being said the fact that Marley is suffering damnation suggests that he too led a similar path to Scrooge. enthusiastic- "a merry Christmas uncle. Dickens' use of the word 'good' repetitively to demonstrate the juxtaposition between Scrooge at the beginning of the novel, where Dickens describes Scrooge as a 'covetous old sinner'. Themes= time/Christmas, "A solitary child, neglected by his friends.". ``My little child!''. So, therefore, we should take responsibility for being a positive influence. Dickens was openly opposed to this view and challenges it throughout the novella. Stave 5 - description of Scrooge's redemption A happy New Year to all the world! Marley haunts scrooge- a description of his chains. 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. 'He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. "Mankind was my business. What is interesting is that a lot of the traditions that Dickens writes about werent quite so commonplace before his novella. The spirit of Christmas is personified in his open heart, open hand, and outstretched arm. - 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. ', People with lots of money already are more likely to be greedy for more, not thinking about sharing that money with others effectively. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. Stave 3 - the ghost uses Scrooge's words against him Stave 2 - Scrooge's response to the ghost saying that it was only a small thing that Fezziwig did. 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. This has a double meaning both as a sympathetic term of endearment and also the fact that thanks to Scrooge the man is literally poor. The simile has a snake like connotations, Marley is a symbol of evil. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes a effort with scrooge. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Everyone is entitled to be a little happier on Christmas, and the Ghost of Christmas Present helps them to be so. ', Stave 5: 'No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold;', Stave 5: 'He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.'. Family Theme Analysis. The verb sparkled has magical and positive connotations, shows Fred is the antithesis of scrooge. The description of Marley's ghost has his chain wound about him. The workers will be repairing the building. They often came down handsomely, and Scrooge never did. Their terrible behaviour is a consequence of the ignorance and want that Dickens personified in stave 3. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. How to revise from this guide You should be spending at least 30-60 minutes a week revising for English Literature from this point onwards, aiming to learn 5-7 key quotes for each character. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. ', 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! uses long and short clauses to show how busy they are. Shows Bob's place of work, and shows scrooges harsh treatment on him. 6. Without the trauma from Scrooges youth and the death of his sister, Fran, its unlikely that he wouldve become the person that he did. Then there are some of the settings contained in A Christmas Carol. Oh, glorious! 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. The gothic was a popular genre in the Victorian age and would have seemed fitting for a ghost story to Victorian readers. Here, we get the image of a country that is united during this time of year; a place where Christmas and Britishness are inextricably linked, which would have been incredibly popular for a Victorian audience who were in the throws of empire building. We can infer that the only other person he cared for was Marley and even that wasn't really because of a friendship. This quote shows Ebenezer Scrooge's miserly, miserable attitude toward Christmas at the opening of the story; he is obsessed with his money and has no time for festivities, family, or joy. In what ways does the text indicate lbn Batutta's social status? The noun cell has connotations of Bob being imprisoned by scrooge. The ghost of Christmas presents it sitting on a throne of food. Of course, the fact that this is obvious does not detract from the big reveal due to the way that Dickens masterfully creates tension. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. This means that Scrooge is implying Christmas was designed to trick and fool people into spending money. "If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.". "Crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light." Description of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2, this ghost is much less scary than Marley which symbolises the innocence of childhood. You could make a strong argument for this being a tale of redemption. The adjective 'brave' suggests that the Cratchit's approach to life is noble and admirable - but not easy. 'a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! In this quote, Dickens describes London as a dark and dangerous place. Foul weather didnt know where to have him. 2. The chains are a metaphor for his punishment for his greedy life. This use of listing to describe everything as 'good' helps to demonstrate the far reaching consequences of Scrooge's redemption. His house is dark - which reflects the darkness in his character and also adds to the gothic atmosphere of his house. The simile 'like a tail' is suggestive of a snake, which is symbolic of the devil. No Way- he tells them that the poor should go and die then there would be less people in the world. Thus Dickens is ending with the message that we can all change our selfish ways and be a positive influence. A Christmas Carol is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a stingy, cruel, wealthy, old bachelor.The book opens with a funeral. ". 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. Underline the word or symbol in parentheses that best completes each sentence. "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. 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. Fezziwg really represents what Scrooge has and what he could (and eventually does) become. This is said by criminals who plundered/ stole from scrooge after he died. Seven Years 3. Marleys chains symbolize the mistakes hes made in life and the greed that controlled him. Total Abstinence Principle more hilarious punning from Dickens. A merry Christmas to you.". Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. 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. 'The Ghosts' in A Christmas Carol (Key Quotes & Analysis) Dr Aidan 22.1K subscribers Subscribe 47K views 3 years ago Studying A Christmas Carol? Workhouses were a terrible place and menial and dangerous jobs such as sweeping chimneys still existed. Of course, these changes seldom happen so quickly in reality and perhaps thats part of the reason that A Christmas Carol does not receive the critical acclaim that you could argue it deserves. 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. We have never had any quarrel, to which I have been a party. The fog has lifted and Scrooge can 'see' the truth. 4 major themes of this novel are forgiveness, the influence of the past, greed, and poverty. His most famous saying is bah humbug. He used it as an exclamation when he wanted to express his displeasure about something. A solitary child, neglected by his friends is left there still - Scrooge sobbed, This shows scrooges lack of companionship and support even since a child this could show why scrooge became so money obsessed, I have always thought of Christmas a good time. In many ways the vision works like memory can do: it changes depending on perspectives or moods. Stave 1 - description of Marley's ghost Key quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Active Themes Themes= greed and generosity of the poor. Whereas the line about being solitary as an oyster suggests that Scrooge refuses to let anybody into his life. The multiple similes emphasise Scrooge's joy and elation at his second chance. It also explains why he becomes hard and sharp like a flint, later on. Scrooge, showing that through the visits of the different ghosts he began to change more and more, as in stave two his "lip was trembling", but now he is having "a violent fit of trembling". Then, identify each underlined word by writing above it ADV for adverb or ADJ for adjective. 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. A Christmas Carol is a widely studied book filled with memorable quotes. They are mans. "[He called out in a] comfortable,oily, rich. Christmas is now a time for family, friends and feeling good. The verb 'shrouded' makes explicit reference to death which is reinforced by the 'deep black' of its clothes. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop 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. Then, choose the verb form that agrees in number with the subject. It acts as a mirror for Scrooges wealth and position but also as a stark contrast in approach. A Christmas Carol Key Quotes Major Themes Major characters How to revise effectively Isolation and loneliness Ebenezer Scrooge One mistake people often make is to try to revise EVERYTHING. In the first stave of A Christmas Carol, the following quote is really important in characterizing Scrooge:. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse! A description of how the Cratchit family mourned the death of Tiny Tim. Accessed 4 March 2023. Repetition of 'chuckle' emphasises Scrooge's newfound delight in giving. It has harsh imagery and the symbolism of cold, shows he is lacking Christmas spirit. Dickens was familiar with the terrible working conditions of the poor and campaigned for education of children. We see when Scrooge is presented with the poor children (Want and Ignorance) how instinctively and perhaps despite his character that he is compelled to want to help. "Its genial face, its sparking eye, its open hand. Marleys ghost is the one that kicks everything off but also acts as a mirror to Scrooge to show him the error of his ways.
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