Scrooge

Cards (34)

  • external heat and cold had little influence- S1

    Themes of Selfishness/Materialism
    He is successful in his ostracisation of himself, as even elements of nature, typically uncontrollable, he has managed to isolate himself from
  • 'a solitary child neglected by his friends' parallel to 'solitary as an oyster'- S1 + S2

    Themes of Selfishness/Materialism
    The parallel language allows the reader to understand how Scrooge's rapacious and 'solitary' existence in his adulthood is synonymous with his defenceless 'solitary' existence as a child.
  • a golden idol has displaced me -S2

    Themes of Selfishness/Materialism
    The word 'golden' typically implies value, and when it is used ironically in reference to Scrooge, it serves as a harsh critique of his misplaced priorities. As a representative of the upper class, Scrooge prioritizes material possessions over the people around him, which suggests that he is unable to recognize the true worth of things. By doing so, he is accused of being blind to what matters in life.
  • "ivy,turkey,geese,game,poultry,brown,meat,pigs,sausages,oysters. - S2
    The asyndetic listing creates an image of abundance and excessive wealth. This could compound how Scrooge is in the financial position to afford these luxuries and yet takes them all for granted. However as all these food, "vanished instantly, it could allude to how these materialistic luxuries only provide an ephemeral amount of joy.
  • What has he done with his money?",
    "cheap funeral", "marketing the corpse" - S4
    Scrooge's infatuation with money and materialism leads to others using economic language around his death. This is ironic as in Scrooge's life, his money caused him to treat the poor in a dehumanising way, however his death he is dehumanised by only referring to him in economic terms- his value as a human is lost to value as an emblem of money
  • "overrun by grass and weeds" - S4

    His neglected and abandoned death is a consequence of his selfishness. The image of neglect, paired with the image of death and decay, highlights how Scrooge in his death has been devalued and forgotten- his
    uncompassionate nature is physically reflected in his uncared-for grave.
  • what reason do you have to be merry, you're poor enough - S1
    Themes of Poverty/Social injustice
    Scrooge recognises that poverty causes misery. However, he continues to live in a state of ignorance, most significantly through neglecting others, without offering to alleviate this misery of poverty
  • are there no prisons?...And the union workhouses? - S1

    Themes of Poverty/Social injustice
    His Malthusian views, paired with his use of rhetorical questions, highlights the sheer ignorance of the upper class towards poverty. Scrooge is unable to see the poor with any humanity, instead views them as mere numbers contributing to the 'surplus population'
  • still very foggy and extremely cold - S2

    Themes of Poverty/Social injustice
    'fog' can represent the institutionalised oppression. Dickens uses this to subtly indict how the oppression and social injustice is in every crevice in London
  • tell me if Tiny Tim will live - S3
    Themes of Poverty/Social Injustice
    Scrooge's use of imperatives paired with the verb 'cried' highlights his catharsis as he is so overcome with guilt due to his blatant disregard and ignorance to the plight of the destitute- this being personified through the Cratchits
  • The boy is ignorance. The girl is want - S3

    Themes of Poverty/Social Injustice
    Ignorance and Want are allegorical characters that aim to highlight the unjustified abuse on innocent children as of a result of poverty. It is significant that the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him this as Dickens uses the Ghost as a mouthpiece to criticise the socio-economic poverty that pervaded Victorian Society
  • yellow, scowling and wolfish - S3
    Themes of Poverty/Social Injustice
    'yellow' could imply that children are physically sick and malnourished because of the election of society and the obliviousness of individuals to social injustice. This animalistic image highlights how poverty dehumanises individuals, stripping them of their humanity and reducing them to less than an animalistic state of being.
  • a worthy place! - S4

    Themes of Poverty/Social Injustice
    The exclamative sentence suggests the excitement at the idea that Scrooge is being justly punished for his frugal and miserly existence- especially his disregard for the poor.
  • piercing, searching, biting cold - S1
    Themes of the Supernatural
    The personification of the weather makes the weather seem powerful; this could be an allusion to the forthcoming supernatural powers to come
  • he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head - S2

    Themes of the Supernatural
    Scrooge rejects the redemption the supernatural power of the ghost is trying to offer him. Scrooge wants to exterminate this bright light, symbolising revelation and hope, due to him being unable to confront his pain from past. The aggressive verb 'pressed' paired with the rapid adverb of 'sudden' explore show Scrooge is engulfed with deeply repressed emotions, he acts out irrationally due to sheer panic
  • scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this spirit - S3

    Themes of the Supernatural
    Scrooge appears submissive to the ghost, open and welcoming the idea of his moral and spiritual awakening. He, for the first time, shows remorse and obedience- his resistance to the supernatural is diminishing and he is now willing to change
  • i will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall all strive within me.
    Themes of the Supernatural
    Scrooge's realisation marks the climax of the allegorical novella. The concept of 'three' could be a biblical allusion to the three different forms of God within the holy trinity: the father, the son and the holy spirit. This could emphasise how the three ghosts almost acted as incarnations of God himself- relaying a moral and religious message that penetrated deeply within Scrooge
  • his heart and soul were in the scene, and with his former self - S2

    Themes of Kindness/Family
    Scrooge has a warm and welcoming ambience surrounding him in stave 2. Fezziwig was presented alike to a family member to Scrooge, hence his benevolent reaction when reminiscing. This is a direct juxtaposition to his former cold presentation where the 'cold had little influence.
  • I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's - S5
    Themes of Kindness/Family
    Scrooge becomes altruistic and benevolent- his acts of atonement towards the Cratchits are exemplary of this. His kindness towards the Cratchits is clear, with him treating them like to his new family as he takes a paternal role of being a 'second father' to Tiny Tim.
  • squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner - S1
    Religion
    The asyndetic listing portrays Scrooge's immoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant 'sinner'. The 7 negative adjectives mirror how there are 7 deadly sins. The parallels between Scrooge and the sins are used by Dickens to highlight how the rich, symbolised by Scrooge, and are more inclined towards moral transgression than the poor.
  • he signs of care and avarice. There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in eye - S2
    Themes of Religion
    This description of Scrooge's younger self highlights how he favoured materialism over love. As avarice is one of the 7 deadly sins condemned in a highly religious Victorian society, his embodiment of 7 deadly sins foreshadows that his disintegration of his marriage as synonymous with greed
  • forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask - S3
    Theme of Religion
    Shows respect and is receptive to the ghosts teaching, this has biblical undertones of asking for salvation and forgiveness from God- 'forfive me father for I have sinned'. Scrooge appears to be understanding his need to be cleansed of sin- he uses the spirit,perhaps an incarnation of God, to be aided with this.
  • I am as happy as an angel - S5

    Themes of Religion
    The religious simile highlights how Scrooge feels that his redemption has led him back to the path of God and faith. He was previously described as a 'sinner', embodying the 7 deadly sins. Yet his redemption has led to his restoration of religious morals-these being imperative to Victorian Society.
  • 'quite a baby' and 'as merry as a schoolboy'
    Themes of Religion
    The infantile imagery signifies his rebirth. The idea of rebirth is salient in Christianity. It is believed that a rebirth indicates that a person develops a strong personal and emotional connection with God. It also holds significance, as Jesus Christ was reborn to provide salvation for mankind. This could perhaps suggest that Scrooge's rebirth will provide salvation and relief for others.
  • Scrooge entered timidly and hung his head before the spirit - S3

    Themes of Regret/Redemption
    Scrooge appears submissive to the ghost, open and welcoming the idea of his moral and spiritual awakening. He, for the first time, shows remorse and obedience. He shows how he is open to having a chance at redemption and regrets his ignorance.
  • 'if he be like to die he had better do it and decrease the surplus population - (Ghost echoes Scrooge's words) - This results in Scrooge being overcome with 'penitence and grief' - S3
    Themes of Regret/Redemption
    The ghost emulates Scrooge's heartless Malthusian views. Scrooge feels intense remorse because he has seen the physical effects of his blissful ignorance towards the plight of the poor. Tiny Tim is microcosmic for the victimisation of poor children because individuals like Scrooge see them as an inconvenience in society.
  • hear me! I am not the man I was - S4

    Themes of Regret/Redemption
    The imperative phrase 'hear me!' shows Scrooge's desperation to be allowed a chance at redemption and salvation. The exclamative sentence compounds this desperation as he shouting and pleading to the ghost.
  • 'i am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy' - S5

    Themes of Regret/Redemption
    'I am as light as a feather' is the antithesis to the simile in Stave 1 of him being 'as hard and as sharp as flint'. The juxtaposing similes highlights how Scrooge feels he has been liberated, now feeling the 'light', from the burdens of carry his once 'own low temperature'
  • 'quite a baby' and 'as merry as a schoolboy'
    Themes of Regret/Redemption
    As both a 'baby' and 'schoolboy' connote innocence and youth. Scrooge is showcasing how, through him repenting for his sins, he has regained his youthful innocence and ability to see the world is an untainted light. As being a 'baby' is the start of his life, this signifies that Scrooge has been reborn as he has gone from an 'old sinner' back to the most innocent form of human life- he has had the ultimate rebirth.
  • S1 key words
    Parsimonious
    Miser
    Archetypal villain
    Frugal
    Ostracised
    Avaricious
    Apathetic
    Merciless
    Misanthropic
    Cold
  • S2 Key words
    Vulnerable
    Exposed emotionally
    Rejection of redemption
    Idolisation of money
    Repression of emotions
    Benevolence
    Innocence
    Pathos
  • S3 Key words
    Redemption
    Forgiveness
    Salvation
    Submissive
    Abundance
    Materialism
    Plight of the desituite
    Allegorical characters
  • S4 Key words
    Proleptic death
    Economical language
    Dehumanised
    Exposed
    Neglected
    Devalued
    Eternal damnation
    Allegorical
  • S5 Key words

    Redemption
    Salvation
    Freed
    Liberated
    Rebirth
    Acts of atonement
    Compassion
    Transmogrification