english lit

• Stave one, 9 words, referencing Marley


  "Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail"

  
  

  Establishes to the reader that he is dead with no shadow of doubt. Building more shock when he turns up in Scrooge's room.

  
  

  "door-nail[s]" Are also necessary and useful, but otherwise insignificant. this reflects Scrooge's attitude towards Marley, while he regards him as a valuable business partner, he is just that.
• Stave one, effect to show that Scrooge and Marley should have been close


  "sole" x 6

  
  

  "sole executor" "sole friend" "sole mourner"

  
  

  + "Scrooge was not dreadfully cut up by the sad event"

  
  

  These contradict each other, as humans we think the person closest to us, the only person that we rely on will be sad of our passing. However, this shows that Scrooge focuses on himself, he just saw Marley as a way to make more money as a business partner, just a digit on his deeply coveted check . This also reflects Marley's character showing that he is similar to Scrooge as his closest companion was one of business.
• Stave one, brutal list describing Scrooge, 9 words


  "a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!"

  
  

  he is pinching every penny and will not let one coin fall out of his grasp for a poorer soul to snatch. (shows with Bob Crachit)

  
  

  
  

  Present participial- shows that he is continuously always doing these actions

  
  

  list- shows that his covetous hoarding nature cannot be contained in just one word

  
  

  exclamative- showing the power behind Dickens' words
• Stave one, coldness of Scrooge, 4 quotes (24, 8, 6, 9 words)


  "Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret and self-contained and solitary as an oyster"

  
  

  He hurts the ones around him and he has not found a partner, a moment of joy (shown as fire). "Oyster" Shows a hint of his redemption as pearls are found inside the oyster, inside the centre of Scrooge.

  
  

  "The cold within him froze his old features"

  
  

  Shows that he wasn't always like this, as it is the recent cold that has made his features presumably features when he was kind and outgoing, callous and rude.

  the "cold" being the his endless pointless drive for money. (shown by his flashback with his fiancé). Also childhood (pre cold) is used to show when he is jolly

  
  

  "low temperature always about with him"

  
  

  He made everyone around him miserable

  
  

  "External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge"

  
  

  He can't be affected by others sorrow (shown by charity men) or kindness (shown by Fred)
• Stave one, Scrooge is not well liked around, 18 words


  "Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, "My dear Scrooge, how are you?""

  
  

  Shows that he not well liked, reference to his "low temperature".

  Jutax to stave 5 where people greets him
• Stave one, description of Christmas Eve, 3 quotes, (8, 4, 18)


  "it was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal"

  
  

  Pathetic fallacy, while Scrooge is at the bitterest of his behavior so is the weather.

  
  

  Jutax to emotions related to Christmas

  
  

  ( after charity collectors)

  "The cold became intense"

  
  

  Showing at the peak of his evilness

  
  

  "The brightness of the shops where holly sprigs and berries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows"

  
  

  brightness = happy
• Stave one, plight of Bob Crachit in the workplace, 3 quotes (3, 40, 10)


  " a dismal little cell"

  
  

  Bob is trapped there ("cell") as he needs the little money that scrooge gives for his family

  
  

  "(Scrooge had a very small fire), but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal, but he couldn't replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal box in his own room"

  
  

  Scrooge is coveting even when the weather is cold. Showing he puts money above people ("[golden] idol has displaced me ")

  
  

  "white comforter and tired to warm himself at the candle""

  
  

  he cant afford a coat and is hurting himself to warm him
• Stave One, Characters reaction to Christmas, 6 quotes (11, 46, 10, 4, 17, 7)


  Fred:"'A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!' cried a cheerful voice"

  shows he is religious and likes Christmas. Also shows his love for Scrooge despite Scrooge being rude

  "There are many things from which I might derived good, by which I have not profited[..] it has never put a scrap of gold or sliver in my pocket; I believer that it has done me good and will do me good and I say God bless it!"

  love+ people/ money

  "as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time"

  positive aspects of Christmas, looking at the positive side

  
  

  Scrooge:"'Bah!' said Scrooge 'Humbug!'"

  rude response

  "Out upon merry Christmas! [...] a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer"

  money/ love+ memories

  Bob Cratchit:

  " the clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded"

  Showing he loves Christmas
• Stave One, Fred's description, 1 quote, 12 words


  "he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome"

  
  

  antithesis to Scrooge as he is warm, joyous and youthful
• Stave one, Fred and Scrooge's reaction to each other, 3 quotes/ 1 technique (7, 5. 7)


  "he would see him in extremity first"

  
  

  saying your seeing someone in hell was especially bad at the time it came out (in 1843) so it shows the disrespect of Scrooge

  
  

  "Come! Dine with us tomorrow"

  "left the room without an angry word"

  Shows that Fred carries Christian morals of forgiveness as he reaches out for Scrooge to come yearly

  
  

  Good afternoon x4

  
  

  shows that Fred's words have made a impact on Scrooge as he cannot come up with a witty of mean response to Fred. Contradicting with "external heat [...] had little effect on Scrooge" .
• Stave One, Charity workers and reaction, 3 quotes (32. 15, 4)


  " At this festive season [...] we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute [...] Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comfort"

  
  

  Plight of the poor

  
  

  "want" links to later

  
  

  "'Are there no prisons?"

  "And the Union workhouses? demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation

  
  

  Shows Scrooge's covetous nature as he doesn't want to give anymore than he has to at the detriment of people. The poor law of 1834 forced the poor to go to workhouses in horrid conditions. Dickens knew himself as when he was 12 his dad was sent to a debtors prison and him as the eldest had to work in a factory doing manual labour.

  
  

  "Decrease the surplus population"

  
  

  A twisted Malthusian perspective, he is insinuating that the poor should die so that the richer population can "prosper"
• Stave One, Scrooge's reaction to Bob Cratchit, 2 quotes (9, 16)


  " and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your situation"

  
  

  threatening Bob, controlling him when he "defies" his beliefs.

  
  

  
  

  " It's not convenient (re taking Christmas off) [...] A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!"
• Stave One, description of Scrooge's house on Christmas Eve, two quote and one technique (14, 7)


  melancholy x 2

  
  

  jutax to normal Christmas

  
  

  "The fog and frost so hung about the black old gateway of the house"

  
  

  "Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it"

  
  

  covetous
• Stave One, Marley incoming, two quotes


  " there would have been a copy of Marley's head on every one"

  
  

  shocking to the reader as it was established that he was "dead to begin with"

  
  

  "it rang out loudly, and so did every bell in the house"

  
  

  almost calling Scrooge to atonement as churches do
• Stave one, Marley's torment, 5 quotes (27, 6, 9, 8, 16)


  "The chain [...] was long and wound about him like a tail and it was made of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel"

  " I wear the chain I forged in life "

  
  

  all the cruel acts that that he preformed created his own torture. And Scrooge lived longer so his chain will be longer

  
  

  " I cannot rest, i cannot stay, I cannot linger"

  "No rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse"

  
  

  (after Scrooge saying he "always was a good man of business")

  ""Business!"[...]"Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence.""

  
  

  Love+memories/ money

  
  

  showing good actions and memories are the lasting things and however how hard you try money is finite
• Stave two, Description of ghost of Christmas past, 2 quotes (18, 19)


  " it was a strange figure -like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man"

  
  

  The incongruity of the ghost's appearance -- a childish face and demeanor ("child's proportions") , but stopped and small like an old man ("very long and muscular") . the turbulence in the appearance ("strong hand" --> gentle as a woman's hand ) reflects the tension between Scrooge's own past and present. Scrooge is childhood is filled with optimistic joy while his new "features" are "frozen" static cold and cruel.

  
  

  "it wore a tunic of the purest white [...] It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand"

  
  

  symbolises purity and Christmas
• Stave two, Scrooge's reaction to ghost of Christmas' past, 10 words


  "Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered"

  
  

  Scrooge's past is to sad for him to revisit
• Stave two, Scrooge's reaction to memory one, two quotes (27, 7)


  " He was conscious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long, long, forgotten"

  
  

  he was joyful once and he wasn't always like this

  
  

  plus also past Christmases are painted better then the present cold foggy ones shown by the change of Scrooge

  
  

  ""And what is that upon your cheek?""

  
  

  Scrooge is crying jutax to no "external heat and cold has little effect on Scrooge"
• Stave two, Scrooge in school,


  ""The school is not quite deserted" said the Ghost 'A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.' Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed"

  
  

  Scrooge is described as "solitary" in stave one

  
  

  showing Scrooge as a child shows a softer side to Scrooge.
• Stave two, description of Scrooge's school


  "their walls were damp and mossy, their windows broken, and their gates decayed"

  
  

  Shows the bad conditions of some of the Victorian schools (plight of the poor)

  
  

  "a lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire"

  
  

  like stave one

  
  

  "melancholy"

  
  

  like stave one again

  
  

  not x 4

  
  

  "not a latent echo, not a drip [...] not a sigh [...] not the idle swinging"

  
  

  highlights the loneliness of the school at Christmas as there is nothing there
• Stave two, Scrooge's reaction to memory one,


  "There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that's all"

  
  

  Shows progression
• Stave two, little Fan, 4 quotes (29, 16, 16, 19)


  "A little girl, much younger than the boy, came darting in and putting her arms about his neck and often kissing him, addressed him as her "Dear, dear brother.""

  
  

  Shows the innocence of little Fan as she carries the atmosphere of childhood giddy joy.

  
  

  "Dear, dear brother. " shows her pure love for Scrooge. Builds up on Scrooge when he's been bad to Fred.

  
  

  "we're to be together all the Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world"

  
  

  Fan brings brightness to Christmas

  
  

  "dashing the hoar-frost and snow from off the dark leaves of the evergreen like spray"

  
  

  love from Fan is leaving the frost behind

  
  

  ""Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered," said the Ghost "But she had a large heart!""
• Stave two, Scrooge's reaction to memory two


  (your nephew)

  "Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, "Yes""

  
  

  Shows his regret of his actions towards Fred in stave one and in past
• Stave two, Christmas at Fezziwig, 3 quotes (6, 24, 10)


  "No more work to-night. Christmas Eve."

  
  

  Shows that Fezziwig respects festivals unlike Scrooge

  
  

  "the warehouse was as snug, and warm and dry, and bright a ball-room, as you would desire to see upon a winter's night."

  
  

  warm and cozy like Christmas should be unlike the Christmas at pleasant

  
  

  
  

  "They shone in every part of the dance like moon"

  
  

  Shining is associated with good people
• Stave two, Fezziwig's respect, 6 words


  "shaking hands with every person individually"

  
  

  Showing his respect and appreciation to everyone. Unlike Scrooge earlier making jokes about BC and shushing him
• Stave two, Scrooge's response to Fezziwig


  " He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome"

  
  

  memories/ money

  
  

  you can us the power over the person for good

  
  

  "No, I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now."

  
  

  Remorse for Bob
• Stave two, Scrooge in fiance memory, 10 words


  "There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye"

  
  

  his "features" are beginning to freeze. it is the start of a covetous greed in his life.
• Stave two, Belle, 5 quotes (7, 8, 12, 16, 14)


  "fair young girl in a mourning dress"

  
  

  She is mouring the death of the old scrooge

  
  

  "Another idol has displaced me [...] A golden one."

  
  

  Scrooge has gone from prioritising love and kindness to praising money, driving, striving for more and more money.

  
  

  (when we were engaged)

  "When it was made, you were another man"

  "I was a boy""

  
  

  in Scrooge's opinion boy = silly happiness son in stave V when he says "I am as jolly as a school boy" he has returned to his old self

  
  

  "tell me, would you seek me out and try to win me now? [...] a dowerless girl"

  
  

  links to stave one where Scrooge makes fun of Fred for choosing a love that doesn't have any money

  
  

  "Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content"
• Stave two, Christmas in memory five, 3 quotes (28, 6, 23)


  "the centre of a flushed and boisterous group, just, in time to greet the father, who came home attended by a man laden with Christmas toys and presents."

  
  

  "The joy, and gratitude, and ecstasy!"

  
  

  "the master of the house, having his daughter leaning fondly on him, sat down with her and her mother at his own fireside."

  
  

  All reference a Christmas full of joy, laughter and love. Though not stereotypically smart and posh like Scrooge thinks is perfect.
• Stave two, Scrooge's reaction to belle's family, 29 words


  "when he thought that such another creature [...] might have called him father, and have been a spring-time in the haggard winter of his life his sight grew very dim indeed"

  
  

  love would have provided a light in cold life he leads
• Stave two, end of stave two,


  " he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head."

  
  

  Shows he still has to change as he still can't fully face his past.
• Stave three, ghost of Christmas present,2 quotes (42, 8)


  "In easy state upon this couch, there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see, who bore a glowing torch, in shape not unlike Plenty's horn, and held it up, high up, to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round"

  
  

  the torch is symbolic of this Ghost's method of enlightening Scrooge as to the importance of being kind to others and having empathy. The Horn of Plenty (or "cornucopia") is a symbol of generosity and charity, qualities which Scrooge lacks. So the ghost will metaphorically "shed its light on Scrooge".

  
  

  
  

  "simple green robe, or mantle bordered with white"

  
  

  he supports poor "simple green" and rich "bordered with white"
• Stave three, biblical reference, 15 words


  ""More than eighteen hundred," said the Ghost.

  "A tremendous family to provide for!" muttered Scrooge"

  
  

  All his brothers began with Jesus' birth.

  
  

  Scrooge still hasn't improve as he is noting it would money
• Stave two, blessings


  " sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch"

  
  

  the ghost shows Scrooge the merits of helping others. It makes him happy to make them happy.
• Stave three, Sabbarianism


  "" You would deprive them of their means of dining every seventh day, often the only day on which they can be said to dine at all" [...] "who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry and selfishness in our name who are as strange to us"

  
  

  
  

  Scrooge stands up for the poor showing change in character. Ghost said its not him but ppl twisting their words.
• Stave three, Cratchits making the most it, 3 quotes (8, 10, 15)


  "a twice turned gown, but brave in ribbons"

  
  

  "monstrous shirt collar ) [...] rejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired"

  
  

  Master Peter feels content and proud in the hand me downs

  
  

  "Two tumblers, and a custard-cup without a handle [...] just as well as golden goblets"
• Stave three, Love of the Cratchits, 4 quotes (2, 3, 7, 7)


  "precious father"

  
  

  "Here's Martha, mother!" x2

  
  

  shows that the family is in sync with each other as the girl and the younger ones say it together

  
  

  "Mrs. Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times"

  
  

  "Martha didn't like to see him disappointed"

  
  

  She stops her prank to embrace her dad
• Stave three, Tiny Tim loved by his family, 3 quotes (27, 12)


  (Bob said TT is)

  
  

  "As good as gold"

  "Bob's voice was tremulous [...] he said that Tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty"

  
  

  He is lying but trying to stay positive for the rest of the family. this is evident when it says "Bob called it a circle meaning half of" showing he always over estimates

  
  

  "escorted by his brothers and sisters to his stool before the fire "
• Stave three, Tiny Tim ill, 3 quotes (3, 3, 4)


  "feebly cried Hurrah!"

  
  

  "withered little hand"

  
  

  "God bless us everyone!"

  
  

  even though he is unfortunate he remains a good attitude like earlier he said that he thinks that his situation reminds "the true meaning of Christmas
• Stave three, Christmas dinner at the Cs, 4 quotes, (8, 9, 5, 28)


  "There was never such a goose. Bob said"

  
  

  Looking at the Brightside again

  
  

  "Eked out by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes"

  
  

  Making the most to making of what they've got

  
  

  "It was a sufficient dinner"

  
  

  Christmas is normally about feasts as seen by the Christmas pres throne so is this is the feast of the year and it was only sufficient it means that they must have been starving

  
  

  "The pudding was out of the copper. A smell like a washing day! [...] that he (BC) regarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage"