A Christmas Carol

• Dickens uses Scrooge to criticise the divide between people with money and people without
• we follow the change of Scrooges character to show that we as people can change too
• in the beginning of the novella dicken repeates the word ‘sole’ to show scrooges solitary behaviour
• ‘hard and sharp as flint‘ suggests coldness and pain - and the flint might suggest the potential of warm in Scrooge
• the use of dickens‘ similie in ‘ solitary as an oyster‘ shows scrooges tough exterior but there might be more to discover about him - this foreshadows his change
• dickens uses wordplay ‘ grave‘ and ‘gravy’ in markets ghost presence to make him seem less 2 dimensional
• the reader feels empathy for Scrooge when he returns to a child like state in the presence of the ghost of Christmas past
• ‘ a solitary boy , neglected by his friends‘ suggests Scrooge s alone but its not by choice

  the juxtaposition of neglected with friends develops empathy as he sobs in response to the memory
• power and illicitly gain a response from Scrooge and shows his transformation is starting in stave 2
• in stave 2 Scrooge begins to realise relationships bring happiness not money when he sees fan, fezziwig and belle
• by the time of the ghost of christmas present scrooge has begun to change and is even more willing to do so
• the reader , in stave 3 , can see that Scrooge is changing because he shows empathy for tiny Tim.
• ‘ tell me tiny Tim will live‘- the use of imperatives signifies scrooge care about tiny Tim and contrast his earlier views on the poor
• by the end of the novella the use of similes contrasts the beginning to show he has changed - ‘ i am light as a feather and ’i am as happy as an angel‘.

  connotes freedom and suggests he is closer to heaven - suggestest scrooge is no longer a sinner and shows goodness ( quality of being like god)
• What role do the ghosts play in Scrooge's transformation?

  They help him move from damnation to redemption
• How is Marley's ghost presented in the story?

  As a fearful reminder of afterlife consequences
• What does the motionless yet agitated appearance of Marley's ghost signify?

  That all is not right in the afterlife
• Why was the bandage around Marley's head significant in Victorian times?

  It prevented the jaw from gaping open
• What convinces Scrooge that Marley's ghost is real?

  The ghost removes its head bandage
• What does the chain wrapped around Marley's ghost symbolize?

  Wealth becomes a burden if unused
• What does the ghost of Christmas Past represent?

  The personification of memory
• How does the ghost of Christmas Past illuminate Scrooge's past?

  By making him confront his forgotten choices
• What physical characteristics does the ghost of Christmas Past have?

  Both old and young features
• What does the light from the ghost of Christmas Past symbolize?

  Illumination of Scrooge's past choices
• What does the ghost of Christmas Present symbolize?

  The personification of generosity
• How is the ghost of Christmas Present described?

  As a jolly giant with a glowing torch
• What does the cornucopia symbolize in the ghost of Christmas Present?

  Endless supply of food and abundance
• What does the imagery of "living green" suggest in the ghost of Christmas Present?

  A natural world that is vigorously growing
• How does the ghost of Christmas Present's appearance convey openness?

  His coat is left open at the top
• What does the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come represent?

  The personification of death
• How is the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come described?

  As a solemn phantom draped and hooded
• What atmosphere does the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come create?

  Gloom and mystery
• How does Scrooge feel in the presence of the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?

  Filled with dread and anxiety
• What does the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come show Scrooge?

  A version of his future
• What is the significance of the scenes shown to Scrooge by the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?

  They highlight the consequences of his actions
• What are the different roles of the four ghosts in "A Christmas Carol"?

  • Marley: Evokes fear of afterlife consequences
  • Christmas Past: Awakens emotions and memories
  • Christmas Present: Shows power of sharing and cheerfulness
  • Christmas Yet to Come: Inspires reform and better future
• What key themes are highlighted through the presentation of the ghosts?

  • Transformation and redemption
  • The burden of wealth
  • The importance of memory
  • The power of generosity
  • The consequences of one's actions
• What literary techniques does Dickens use to present the ghosts?

  • Imagery
  • Juxtaposition
  • Symbolism
  • Contradiction
  • Personification
• structurally dickens she’s Scrooge out as a villain and horrible character in the beginning
• dickens uses overwhelming sentence structure to describe Scrooge to overwhelm the reader with his negativity