A CHRISTMAS CAROL QUOTES

• 'Bah... HUMBUG!'


  SCROOGE (stave 1) annotation: shows scrooge's miserable character early into the play+ his hatred for xmas
• 'are there no prisons?'


  SCROOGE (stave 1) annotation: scrooge's attitude to the poor -how the rich viewed the poor during the Victorian era. He feels that no one should worry about the poor because there are prisons and workhouses for them.
• 'solitary as an oyster'


  SCROOGE (stave 1) annotation: dickens presents scrooges as a negative, unsociable character who has distanced their selves from society. this referral to an 'oyster'- portrays scrooges tough exterior and how something valuable such as a pearl can be found within him and how deep down he has the ability to be a positive and sociable character who can join back into society. This simile presents his character as closed off and hard to open up- foreshadows as he opens up and joins society once again.
• 'I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel. I am as merry as a schoolboy.'


  REDEMPTION SCROOGE ( end of stave 5) annotation: scrooge has changed his outlook on life and is changing his morals within life for the better. the use of the simile and referring himself to a 'feather'- seen as an angelic figure of life through his redemption for the greater good
• ' ill raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family'


  REDEMPTION SCROOGE (stave 5) annotation: shows his newfound charitable acts and helping the less fortunate. Breaking stereotypes of the rich's views upon the poor during the Victorian era. emphasis on his character development- link to 'Bah... HUMBUG!' in stave 1
• ' and to Tiny Tim... he was a second father'


  REDEMPTION SCROOGE (stave 5) annotation: highlights the values of Christmas spirit and the generosity and good it encapsulates- resulting in a positive, supportive and equal society. this novella ends in a cyclical structure, by beginning with society suffering under scrooges stingy views on poverty and negative way of viewing life-to scrooges charitable donations to the poor and treating and viewing society positively for the greater good.
• 'I wear the chain I forged in life'


  JACOB MARLEY GHOST (stave 1) annotation: shows Marley's wrong choices / sins in life have resulted in consequences which he now carries as chains which now weigh him down in the afterlife. 'forged' shows his purgatorial suffering due to his actions and can be used as a deterrent against Scrooge from following the same mistakes as Jacob.
• 'mankind was my business'


  JACOB MARLEY( stave 1) annotation: Jacob shows regret as he represents the characteristics of the rich during the Victorian era being selfish and money motivated. this has led to his consequences and how he should be more focused on human kind/ helping others and society rather than business/money (materialistic mindset of the rich)
• 'ill keep my Christmas humour to the last'


  FRED (stave ?) annotation: shows the influence of the Christmas spirit and his persistence on spreading positivity and Christmas cheer despite his uncles determined unpleasant manner.
• 'what right you have to be miserable?... you're rich enough'


  FRED (stave 1) annotation: he questions Scrooges negative behaviour and ridicules the upper class. He comments on scrooges depressing nature despite being of such wealth.
• 'like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man'


  GOCP (stanza 2) annotation: this juxtaposing comparison between 'child' and 'old man' could reflects ones past and their youth. this ghost allows scrooge to reflect on significant moments within his life. The GOCP is a embodiment of the nature of memories.
• 'Rise! and walk with me!'


  GOCP (stanza 2) annotation: 'rise' and 'walk' use of commanding imperatives shows the power and influence of the past- as the ghost is an embodiment of the past
• 'the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness'


  GOCP (stave 2) annotation: what was light one instant, at another time was dark. The ghost is surreal and strange. It flickers like a candle and seems to reflect the fact that Scrooge's past behaviour can be redeemed.
• 'if he had like to die, he better do it quick to decrease the surplus population'


  GOCPresent (stave 3) annotation: this response to scrooges question on whether tiny Tim dies or not is replied by the same conceited answer on scrooges opinions on not helping the poor. this allows scrooge to reflect on his hurtful statements and views on the poor and how it would feel to be in the same place of vulnerability
• "Are there no prisons?... Are there no workhouses?"


  GOCPresent (stave 3) annotation: Replies with what Scrooge said to charity workers. Ironic, mocks him.
• "I see a vacant seat. The child will die"


  GOCPresent ( stanza 3) annotation: He's telling scrooge that Tim is going to die unless he helps. the present has the ability to change the future- can be determined by scrooges change of character.
• "I fear you more than any Spectre I have seen."


  GOCYTC (stave 4) annotation: dickens uses fear to complete Scrooges character development as well as to scare Victorian readers, who were already scared of the supernatural. this creates a way of influencing Victorians into making better life choices.
• ''The Phantom glided."


  GOCYTC (stanza 3) annotation: the ghost is fully a form of the supernatural and the embodiment of the future. 'glided' shows there's no form of normal human life
• 'the finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again'


  GOCYTC (stanza 3) annotation: this is an indication of that death is among us and that making changes in the present, can affect our future. this was a wakeup call to both scrooge and the Victorian audience as following a life of scrooges can lead to a miserable and lonely death