Key quotations

• What does the Insect on the leaf symbolize in the quote?

  It symbolizes the dehumanization of the poor
• What does Scrooge's reaction to Tiny Tim's fate signify?

  His grief reflects a change in perspective
• How does the Ghost of Christmas Present express Dickens's views on Malthusian attitudes?

  Through Scrooge's grief and the metaphor used
• What are the key elements of the metaphor in the quote?

  • Insect imagery: dehumanization of the poor
  • Verb "pronouncing": superiority of the rich
  • Noun phrase "hungry brothers": solidarity among the poor
  • Dust imagery: life of the urban poor and mortality
• What do the two exclamation marks and "Oh God" convey?

  They express disgust at Malthusian attitudes
• What does the term "hungry brothers" imply in the context of the quote?

  It suggests a shared struggle among the poor
• How does dust imagery relate to the lives of the urban poor?

  It evokes the grime of industrial cities and mortality
• What relevant characters and themes are associated with the metaphor?

  • Characters: Scrooge, The Cratchits
  • Themes: family, poverty, redemption, greed, generosity
• How can the metaphor be linked to Christianity?

  It reflects ideas about the brotherhood of man
• In what way does the metaphor serve as a critique of societal attitudes?

  It highlights the arrogance of the wealthy towards the poor
• What is described as irresistibly contagious in the quote?

  Laughter and good-humour
• What metaphor is used to compare laughter in the quote?

  Laughter is compared to disease
• What does the juxtaposition in the quote highlight?

  The contrast between good and bad in life
• What is implied about misery in the quote?

  It is likened to a kind of disease
• How does the quote foreshadow Scrooge's character development?

  It hints at Scrooge's future laughter in Stave 5
• What are the relevant characters and themes associated with the quote?

  • Characters: Scrooge, Fred
  • Themes: Family, redemption, greed, generosity
• What adjectives describe the children Ignorance and Want?

  Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish
• What does the adjective "yellow" imply about the children?

  It suggests they are malnourished
• What does "meagre" signify in the context of the children?

  It means they are small and insignificant
• How does the term "ragged" describe the children's condition?

  It indicates they are poorly clothed and cold
• What does "scowling" reveal about the children's emotions?

  They are unhappy and angry
• What does the adjective "wolfish" imply about the children's treatment?

  They are treated inhumanely, like animals
• Why is the fact that Ignorance and Want are children significant?

  It highlights their innocence and suffering
• What themes are relevant to the characters Scrooge, Ignorance, and Want?

  • Family
  • Poverty and the poor
  • Redemption
  • Greed and generosity
  • The supernatural
• What is the effect of using an asyndetic list of adjectives for the children?

  • Conveys multiple negative traits
  • Suggests the list could continue
  • Emphasizes their dire condition