A Christmas Carol

• CHARACTERS


  Scrooge, Belle, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Ghost of Xmas Past, Ghost of Xmas Present, Ghost of Xmas Yet To Come and Ignornace and Want
• As solitary as an oyster'


  Scrooge is isolated because of his miserliness.
• External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge'

  'No warmth could warm, nor wintry weather chill him'

  '..and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas'


  The writer uses pathetic fallacy to reveal the character of Scrooge and show the lack of influence the weather had upon his character
• "If they would rather die", said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population"'


  It reveals his cold-heart; he would rather see the poor people die instead of helping them, and by dying, they would be doing a service to the world. Also, it reveals that Scrooge is a follower of Thomas Malthus who in 1803 published an essay titled "Essay on the Principles of Population." Men like Malthus and Scrooge believed that war, famine and pestilence were necessary in order to keep the population down, especially the poor people.
• "Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it."

  Indication of Scrooge's avaricious nature, as he would rather live in darkness than spend a single coin.
• tight-fisted hand at the grindstone'


  Scrooge Stave 1: Here Scrooge is shown by Dickens as a greedy person. The words "tight fisted" suggest that he is a very cruel and mean character.
• Hard and Sharp as flint'


  A simile to describe Scrooge. His "sharp" tongue when it comes to others and his "hard" exterior. Scrooge has harsh features to the point where he is almost inhuman. The adjective "hard" may be a reference Scrooge's tough exterior and how he has no sign of kindness in his face and appearance. The reader is positioned to feel negatively towards Scrooge as Dickens portrays him to be a highly cold character that we should interpret with caution.
• I wear the chain I forged in life'


  A powerful symbol of how many can be weighed down by their sins/transgressions. In this case; greed and lack of compassion for others.
• Mankind was my business'

  'The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!'

  Marley is upset that he didn't help mankind while he could.
• Unearthly visitor'


  To show that the ghosts are so abnormal/supernatural.
• It wore a tunic of the purest white'


  Superlative "purest" links to being sent from heaven. 'White' as a colour can symbolise innocence.
• A solitary child, neglected by his friends'


  Surprising character exposition, making the reader sympathetic for Scrooge. Context- neglected children were common in Vic era, readers would relate.
• "Your lip is trembling"


  Scrooge feels emotion being taken back to his past.
• "Why did he cold heart glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past!"


  Scrooge is already changing witnessing his past, instead of his usual cold, miserly behaviour he feels "gladness" to see Christmas celebrations. He has started to tread the path to redemption.
• a chilly bareness in the place"

  "cold and vast"

  "long, bare, melancholy room"

  Describes the past
• "heightened and excited face"

  Would have been a surprise to his business friends in the city.
• "poor boy"


  Scrooge takes pity on himself
• There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should have liked to have given him something: that's all'


  Shows Scrooge is starting to change for the better as a care for others has began to develop. Theme of Redemption.
• "You are quite a woman little Fan!"

  Expresses admiration for his sister, even though he gains nothing profit-wise from her. This contrasts with his present self.
• "She had a large heart!" "So she had."


  Scrooge agrees and acknowledges his sisters kindness.
• "Why it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart!"

  Fezziwig was a good boss to Scrooge, even Scrooge adored him.
• "No more work tonight, Christmas Eve"

  Fezziwig encourages the young apprentices to close early for Christmas. He has a larger than life attitude and is the complete opposite to Scrooge as an employer- he embraces the joys of Christmas.
• His heart and soul were in the scene, with his former self"


  Scrooge
• The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortunes'


  Fezziwig spread joy at Xmas, so much, it didn't matter how much it cost.
• Another idol has displaced me...A golden one.'


  Belle is upset that Scrooge's greed has come between her engagement to Scrooge. She believes he values money more than her due to his avaricious nature.
• Jolly Giant'


  Description of Ghost of Christmas Present, Stave 3. Could show how Christmas is a time for joy.
• an antique scabbard, but no sword'


  Shows how the GOCPr is peaceful and they're to teach Scrooge how to bring joy to others lives.
• To-night, if you aught to teach me, let me profit by it'


  Again shows Scrooge's path to redemption starting to form as he is willing to learn how to be a better person.
• twice-turned gown'


  Alliteration. Mrs Cratchitt has upcycled her dress. Shows how little money they have.
• There never was such a goose'


  They are pleased with what they have, and do not complain about not having as much as some people. This highlights the known phrase 'less is more'.
• Scrooge hung his head...and was overcome with penitence and grief'


  Scrooge feels terribly that the ghost has used his own words against him"decrease the surplus population". He starts to realise just how cruel he has been.
• Scrooge, The founder of the feast'


  Mr Cratchitt still thanks his boss, Scrooge for what he has despite the fact that he treats him so awfully.
• This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, but most of all beware this boy'


  The two children symbolise Victorian society's greatest problems. Later in the novella we see Ignorance and Want as people, Ignorance being the people joking about Scrooge's "death" and Want being the people who steal from his corpse and house.
• It was shrouded in a deep black garment'


  This perhaps makes the reader question what the ghost would look like to them. Dickens is making the reader question their faults, in an attempt to make them alter them.
• I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart'


  Scrooge says to the GOCYTC that he's happy to go with it, showing how much he has changed from when Marley's ghost came to him. Theme - Redemption.
• happier house for this man's (Scrooge's) death'


  Only emotions towards Scrooge's death are those of joy, which shows how awful he made people's lives.
• I am not the man I was'


  Scrooge Stave 4: By this stage the final nail in the literal coffin hammered in, with the overall showing of Scrooge as a more open, caring, nice man. He is now able to understand that he must change from the "man I was."
• I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year'


  Scrooge makes the promise to the ghost after seeing his own grave.
• The Spirits of all three shall strive within me'


  He has learnt the ghosts lesson and will now try to be a reformed man.
• I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy'


  Weight of his past actions/transgressions have now been removed. Lots of positive similes to emphasise this change.