A Christmas Carol

• “Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.” - A simile which declares that Jacob Marley is definitely dead and buried. The simile also suggest Marley was a cold, emotionless money lender when he was alive, just like his business partner Scrooge.
• “Scrooge trembled more and more.” - An alliteration, which declares Scrooge is scared of Marley. The alliteration suggests that Scrooge is terrified more than usual
• Ghost of Christmas present : “Are there no prisons?…Are there no workhouses?” - Rhetorical Question and repetition Scrooge has just met ignorance and Want and asked abt what “Refuge” or “resource” there is to help them.
• “His own heart laughed“ - Personification - narrator speaking abt Scrooge’s heart after his transformation at the end of the text, Scrooge has a more forgiving attitude
• Scroog : Solitary as an oyster. - Simile - Shows his isolation, but oysters hide pearls—hinting at potential for change
• Scrooge : Bah! Humbug! - Exclamation - Reflects his bitterness and disbelief in joy, especially Christmas spirit
• Scrooge : I can’t afford to make idle people merry. - Capitalism - Scrooge sees kindness as a waste. Dickens criticises this attitude
• (Scrooge) : Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it. - Symbolism - Darkness reflects his isolation, but also how he chooses to live without joy or warmth
• (Scrooge) : A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire.


  Juxtaposition - The warmth of reading contrasts with the “feeble fire,” showing how his imagination brings comfort, but the world around him is cold and neglectful. It builds sympathy and hints at how society fails children
• Scrooge : I am not the man I was.


  first person narrative - The use of first person makes it personal and sincere. It’s a direct confession that shows the emotional climax of his redemption
• Jacob Marley : I wear the chain I forged in life.


  Metaphor - Marley is literally weighed down by his own greed and sins. He’s a warning for Scrooge
• Jacob Marley : Mankind was my business.


  Moral message - Marley realises too late that helping others—not money—should’ve been his priority
• Jacob Marley : No rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse.


  Repetition - His punishment is eternal suffering. Dickens uses this to scare the audience into compassion
• Fred : A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!


  Religious imagery - Fred is kind and loving even when Scrooge is grumpy. Represents hope and warmth
• Fred : His wealth is of no use to him.


  Heuristic - Fred points out that money hasn’t brought Scrooge any real happiness
• Fred : I mean to give him the same chance every year.


  Temporal imagery - Fred never gives up on Scrooge. Shows Christian values of patience and love
• (Fred) : He was very cheerful with them.


  Narrative tone - Describes Fred’s joyful party. A clear contrast to Scrooge’s cold and empty life
• Ghost of Christmas past : It wore a tunic of the purest white.


  Symbolism - White represents purity, truth, and light. The ghost helps Scrooge reflect on his innocent past
• Ghost of Christmas past : A solitary child, neglected by his friends.


  Symbolism - Shows Scrooge’s loneliness, helping the audience feel sympathy and understand his coldness
• ghost of Christmas past : Your lip is trembling… And what is that upon your cheek?


  Emotive language - The ghost subtly points out that Scrooge is crying—showing the start of his transformation
• Ghost of Christmas past : Would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?


  metaphor - The light represents truth and memory; Scrooge tries to shut it out, showing his initial resistance to change
• ghost of Christmas past : A bright clear jet of light


  Symbolism - The light shining from the ghost’s head symbolises enlightenment and the painful clarity of past memories
• Ghost of Christmas present : Come in! and know me better, man!


  Exclamations - This Ghost is friendly and warm, embodying generosity and the joy of Christmas
• ghost of Christmas present : This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want.


  Personification - These two children represent society’s neglect. Dickens criticises the ignorance of the wealthy
• ghost of Christmas present : If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.


  Foreshadowing - The spirit warns that if society doesn’t change, there will be tragic consequences (e.g., Tiny Tim’s death)
• Ghost of Christmas present : Heaped up on the floor… turkeys, geese, game, poultry…


  List - Describes the festive feast, symbolising joy and generosity
• Belle : Another idol has displaced me… a golden one.


  Metaphor - Belle compares Scrooge’s love of money to an idol, suggesting greed has replaced love. Shows how materialism ruined his relationships
• Belle : You fear the world too much.


  Emotive Language - Belle accuses Scrooge of being consumed by fear and survival. It explains his coldness and adds to our sympathy
• Bob Cratchit : I’ll give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!


  Irony - Despite being underpaid and mistreated, Bob still toasts Scrooge—showing his kindness and humility
• Bob Cratchit : My little, little child!


  Repetition, emotive language - Bob’s grief over Tiny Tim is raw and heartbreaking. Highlights the emotional cost of poverty
• Mrs Cratchit : I’ll not have it said. My children shall not hear it.


  Protective tone - She defends her family’s dignity when Bob praises Scrooge. Shows pride and maternal strength
• Mrs Cratchit : Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown.


  Visual Imagery - Even with poverty, she makes an effort. Highlights her dignity and the Cratchit family’s pride and hope
• Tiny Tim : God bless us every one!

  Repetition, Symbolism - Tiny Tim becomes a symbol of hope, innocence, and the Christian message of goodwill
• Fezziwig : No more work tonight. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer!


  Exclamation - His enthusiasm for Christmas and care for employees makes him the ideal boss figure
• Scrooge : If they would rather die […] they had better do it


  Repetition- Scrooge uses the word “they” because it shows that he sees a strong divide between himself and the poor.
• Scrooge : I’m as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel


  Simile, repetition- scrooge feels free as a result of his encounters with the ghosts. He has avoided Marleys “heavy“ coiled fate.
• Hard and sharp as flint


  Simile : flint is a hard rock it was used with steel to start fires. Dickens is emphasising that Scrooge is an unfeeling man.