A Christmas Carol Quotes

• No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him'


  Uses pathetic fallacy as metaphor for Scrooge's stubbornness and presents him as a cold character (Scrooge, Stave 1)
• What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough'


  Shows Scrooge's ignorant views that money is a necessity (Scrooge, Stave 1)
• I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now!'


  First time that Scrooge shows remorse and therefore the first time that the audience feels sympathy for Scrooge (Scrooge, Stave 2)
• But though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, he could not hide the light'


  Shows that no matter how embarrassed and regretful Scrooge is about the past, he cannot erase it (Scrooge, Stave 2)
• I am the Ghost of Christmas Present [...] Look upon me!'


  Shows that Scrooge has been blind to the happiness of Christmas (Scrooge, Stave 3)
• Who suffers by his ill whims! Himself, always'


  Shows that Scrooge's isolation only affects him and Dickens uses this to create sympathy for the character (Scrooge, Stave 3)
• Rusty keys, nails, chains, hinges, files, scales, weights and refuse iron of all kinds'


  Use of asyndentic listing contrasts with the 'cash boxes and ledgers' and shows that even though he had lots of money, this did not matter in the end as he was hated as a person (Scrooge, Stave 4)
• It was a worthy place'


  The horrible graveyard is worthy for the horrible character of Scrooge and this shows that Dickens believes that miserly people should not be celebrated (Scrooge, Stave 4)
• I am as merry as a school-boy. A merry Christmas to everybody!'


  Dickens' repeated use of the word 'merry' contrasts with the 'melancholy' mood at the start of the novella and shows that Scrooge is happier when he is being kind (Scrooge, Stave 5)
• buy another coal-scuttle'

  Contrasts with Scrooge's reluctance to let Bob have more than 'one coal' and shows how much he has changed (Scrooge, Stave 5)
• The clerk [...] involuntarily applauded'


  Shows that everybody agrees with the idea that Christmas is good, even the poor clerk who will not be able be paid enough to have a lavish Christmas (Bob Cratchit, Stave 1)
• The clerk'

  Dickens leaves Bob Cratchit nameless in the first stave to show how the impoverished were invisible to the upper class of the time (Bob Cratchit, Stave 1)
• Bob's private property, conferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day'


  Emphasises Bob's poverty but also shows how the family try their best to look smart on the important day (Bob Cratchit, Stave 3)
• Bob said he didn't think there ever was such a goose cooked'

  Even is Bob is poor, he is happy and proud of their efforts and this reinforces Dickens' idea that happiness can be obtained without wealth (Bob Cratchit, Stave 3)
• Poor Bob Cratchit'


  The double meaning of 'poor' evokes feelings of sympathy towards Bob and Dickens uses this to encourage his audience to think about their social responsibility (Bob Cratchit, Stave 4)
• "My little, little child!" cried Bob'


  Shows that Bob is sensitive and this makes the audience feel sympathetic towards him (Bob Cratchit, Stave 4)
• God bless us every one!'


  Shows that he is able to offer love to 'every one' even in his disabled and impoverished state which highlights how ungenerous Scrooge, an able and well off adult, can be (Tiny Time, Stave 3)
• He hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple , and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day'


  This shows how Tiny Tim is thoughtful and rises above his own suffering which once again contrasts with the ignorant nature of Scrooge (Tiny Tim, Stave 3)
• We recollect how patient and how mild he was'

  Dickens present Tiny Tim as somebody who was remembered fondly and missed by his family and friends which highlights the way that the people who knew Scrooge were glad at his death (Tiny Tim, Stave 4)
• We shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it'


  This shows that he is remembered as a peacemaker and somebody that would be ashamed of quarrels (Tiny Tim, Stave 4)
• Mankind was my business'


  This quote is Dickens talking through Marley to try and show the miserly upper class that other people are more important than money (Marley, Stave 1)
• Incessant torture of remorse'

  The emotive word 'remorse' is used by Dickens to try and scare the upper class into being more charitable (Marley, Stave 1)
• Rise! and walk with me!'


  The imperatives 'rise' and 'walk' show that the Ghost is to be obeyed which could symbolise the fact the fact that Scrooge is doomed to repeat his past unless he makes drastic changes (Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2)
• One shadow more!'


  Shows that the Ghost is unsympathetic and unforgiving upper class' mistakes, like Dickens (Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2)
• Harmless mirth on everything within its reach'


  The generous and loving nature of the Ghost contrasts with the cold-hearted way that Scrooge shuts the door on carol singers (Ghost of Christmas Present, Stave 3)
• Are there no prisons?'

  The way the the Ghost uses Scrooge's words against him shows that he is ashamed of him (Ghost of Christmas Present, Stave 3)
• Still the Ghost pointed with an unmoved finger'


  This shows that Dickens believes that the rich will not be treated differently in the afterlife, regardless of how much money they have (Ghost of Christmas Future, Stave 4)
• It seemed to scatter gloom and mystery'

  Dickens portrays the Ghost in a frighting way to scare the upper class of the time, when the supernatural was one of the most talked about and yet most feared topics (Ghost of Christmas Future)
• "I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last"


  Positive shows he is persistent with his christmas cheer.
• "I mean to give him the same chance every year whether he likes it or not."


  Shows his care for his uncle. Concerned revealed by persistence and pity.
• "Let him in!"


  Shows his enthusiasm in his heartly welcome.
• "Merry Christmas uncle! God bless you."


  Shows his care and love for his uncle.
• "Extraordinary kindness from Mr Scrooge's nephew"


  Shows his care and huge social responsibility.
• "I have always thought of Christmas as a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time"


  Shows he is a generous kind hearted man as he is willing to donate to charity.
• "Though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I beleive it has done me good"


  Telling his Uncle that Christmas is a good charitable time.
• "What right have you to be miserable?... You're rich enough"


  Telling his Uncle he should be happy as he is rich.
• A merry Christmas uncle, god save you


  A merry ...
• What right have you to be dismal...your rich enough


  What right...
• Come dine with us tomorrow


  Come...
• I am sorry with all my heart to find you so resolute


  I am sorry...