A christmas Carol

• What does the description of Scrooge in Stave 1 as "secret and self-contained and solitary as an oyster" reveal about his character?

  His isolation and detachment
• In 1843 England, it was considered strange for someone to choose to be alone, especially during Christmas
• The alliteration in the phrase "secret, self-contained, and solitary" is intended to slow down the text and emphasize its importance.
• What is the simile "solitary as an oyster" meant to convey about Scrooge's relationships with others?

  He is alone despite surroundings
• The pearl produced by an oyster may symbolize the hidden value within Scrooge
• What event in Scrooge's childhood led to his later fear of abandonment and inability to form relationships?

  His mother's death and neglect
• Arrange the following descriptions of Scrooge in Stave 1 in order of their appearance:

  1️⃣ "Secret and self-contained and solitary as an oyster"

  2️⃣ "He carried his own low temperature always about with him"

  3️⃣ "Froze, nipped, blue, frosty, iced, and thaw"
• What does Scrooge's description of carrying his own low temperature always about with him suggest about his personality?

  His cold and grouchy nature
• Scrooge's nephew Fred is described as being heated by rapid walking in the fog and frost to emphasize his cheerful and resilient nature.
• Fred serves as a foil to Scrooge because his positive qualities highlight Scrooge's negative traits
• Why does Fred associate Christmas with kindness, forgiveness, and charity?

  It aligns with Christian values
• Scrooge's statement about decreasing the surplus population echoes the views of many wealthy Victorians at the time.
• What was the purpose of the 1834 New Poor Law referenced by Scrooge's comment about the surplus population?

  To send the unemployed to workhouses
• Scrooge's comment about decreasing the surplus population reflects the malthusian theory
• What is the symbolic significance of Jacob Marley's chain in Stave 1?

  It represents greed and selfishness
• Marley's chain is made up of tools related to his profession as a money lender, reinforcing his obsession with wealth.
• Dickens's own father was sent to a detter's prison
• What is the purpose of Marley's visit to Scrooge in Stave 1?

  To warn him about his fate
• Marley's admission that his chain is a result of his own actions reinforces the Christian belief in consequences for one's choices.
• Marley tells Scrooge that "mankind was my business
• What social values does Marley emphasize to Scrooge as his moral duty?

  Kindness, charity, forbearance
• The repetition of "business" in Marley's speech highlights the dangers of prioritizing money over human welfare.
• In Stave 2, what triggers Scrooge's defense of his old boss Fezziwig?

  The Ghost of Christmas Past's comment
• Scrooge defends Fezziwig's generosity despite the small amount of money spent on his party
• Who is Scrooge's old boss in "A Christmas Carol"?

  Fezziwig
• Scrooge defends Fezziwig's spending despite its insignificance, highlighting a shift in his perspective on money.
• Dickens uses the story to emphasize the importance of being a good employer
• What is Bob Cratchit's salary at the beginning of the story?

  Unlivable
• Scrooge treats Bob Cratchit with kindness and respect by the end of the story.
• What does Belle refer to as Scrooge's "master passion"?

  Wealth
• Belle breaks off her engagement with Scrooge because of his obsession with money
• Scrooge's past traumas, such as abandonment by his father, contribute to his negative perspective on relationships.
• What is Tiny Tim's fate if Scrooge does not change?

  Death
• Scrooge becomes protective of Tiny Tim after being reminded of his own childhood
• Tiny Tim's fate represents the social injustice faced by poor children in Dickens' time.
• What does Fred pity about Scrooge?

  His isolation
• Fred embodies the Christian ideals of forgiveness and generosity
• Fred invites Scrooge to his Christmas party every year, demonstrating his enduring hope for their relationship.
• What are the names of the two starved children revealed by the Ghost of Christmas Present?

  Ignorance and Want
• The Ghost of Christmas Present warns Scrooge to beware of ignorance