Christmas Carol

• "Hard and sharp as flint. from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire."

• "Secret and self-contained and solitary as an oyster"
• "The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue"
• "Cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy..dark already: it had not been light all day.".
• "Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller"
• "All in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled"
• "As a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time"
• "When men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely."
• "Think of people below them as if they were fellow passengers to the grave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
• "Uncle though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, i believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and i say, God bless it!"
• "If they would rather die," Said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
• "A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty fifth of December"
• "Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern"
• "I wear the chains I forged in life."
• "From the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light"
• There he was, alone again, when all the other boys had gone home for the jolly holidays... "i have come to bring you home dear brother!"
• "Hilli-ho!" cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high desk, with wonderful agility"


  Stave 2- Scrooge visiting his old employer with the ghost

  
  

  Hilli-ho= joyful and enthusiastic

  
  

  Skipping down= Fezziwig is full of energy which is the opposite of scrooge as an employer, juxtaposing him.

  
  

  High desk= Fezziwig lowers himself to be with Scrooge even though he is the employer he still mixes with his workers unlike Scrooge.

  
  

  Wonderful agility= Juxtaposes Scrooge's "stiffened gait", showing the difference of their personalities especially at Christmas.
• "Another idol has dis


  Stave 2- Belle talking to Scrooge about her displacement

  
  

  Idol= an idol is something that you worship. Scrooge's idol is money and Dickens' is showing that a love of money brings isolation and loneliness to scrooge, rather than family and things that should be cherished.

  
  

  A golden one= relationships are more important than wealth and scrooge needs to realise that and that he should of put Belle first, rather than money/ wealth.

  
  

  Gold= makes it clear that money is the issue. Gold is a motif throughout, associated with greed and not bringing joy.
• "When he thought that

  Stave 2- Scrooge sees Belle's family

  
  

  Creature= Belle's daughter is made to seem magical by scrooge.

  
  

  Him father= Scrooge regrets not being a father and realises what he is now missing in life due to his previous choices.

  
  

  Haggard winter= metaphor for Scrooge's old age.

  
  

  His sight grew very dim= Scrooge is possibly upset and misty eyed / scrooge can't bear to face what he has lost

  
  

  Dim= the darkness reflecting the darkness of Scrooge's life.
• "though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, he could not hide the light, which streamed from under it, in an unbroken flood upon the ground."


  Stave 2- Scrooge's reaction to seeing Belle's family, he is trying to escape the ghost

  
  

  All his force= Scrooge tries to hide from his past because he is so affected by what he has seen it is his first step on his journey to redemption.

  
  

  Could not hide the light= symbolism of light, its Scrooge's past and he cannot hide from it.

  
  

  Unbroken flood= emotions and memories overwhelmed him. He can't ignore the past because it has already happened.
• "Bore a glowing torch.. and held it up, high up, to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door."


  Stave 3- Scrooge wakes up again to the ghost of Christmas present.

  
  

  A glowing torch= the spirit offers guidance and a way out of the darkness for Scrooge.

  
  

  Shed its light= enlightenment is offered to Scrooge as a gift from the spirit to help with his transformation.

  
  

  Peeping= Scrooge is reluctant and somewhat fearful of the lessons that the ghost will bring, or Scrooge is unwilling to open himself up.
• "Come in and know me better, man"


  Stave 3- The ghost of Christmas present invites scrooge on his journey

  
  

  Come in= the imperative verbs show that the ghost is instructing Scrooge to understand and appreciate the messages of Christmas that he offers, which are generosity, kindness and togetherness.

  
  

  Man= the ghost of Christmas present wants to deliver his message about Christmas being one of the best times of the year not only to Scrooge to try and help him out, but to the rest of mankind too.
• "As good as gold," said Bob, "and better."


  Stave 3- The Cratchits discuss Tiny Tim's attitude in church

  
  

  As good as gold= a simile- original idiom, Bob Cratchit is saying that Tiny Tim is as precious and as valuable as Gold, Symbolic of family and relationships bring the true wealth that brings wealth to life- contrasting Scrooge.

  
  

  And better= Tiny Tim is more valuable to Bob than the most precious metal, Gold, which is worth lots, proving he chooses spiritual wealth rather than material wealth, unlike Scrooge.
• "Drew around the hearth in what Bob Cratchit called a circle."


  Stave 3- Cratchit family spend the evening together

  
  

  Drew= the fire draws the family closer together. The warmth of the fire mirrored in their feelings for each other- unity of Christmas.

  
  

  Hearth= motif of fire, this is a fire place, directly contrasting Scrooge's coldness and isolation.

  
  

  Bob Cratchit= Bob is the head of the family and he values his family and the time he spends with them.

  
  

  Circle= symbolic for the families unity and togetherness and the unbroken bond they will always have.
• "To hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!"

  Stave 3- ghost criticises Scrooge's attitude to the poor

  
  

  Insect on the leaf= metaphor for Scrooge and the rich in society who enjoy a comfortable life but who view the poor as undeserving of living, the rich are elevated and above the rest of society.

  
  

  Pronouncing= the rich are declaring their opinion of the worth of other humans, they are making a judgement as an observer, highlights contrast between abundance and deprivation.

  
  

  Hungry brothers in the dust= those who are suffering and disadvantaged, Dickens is trying to evoke empathy and understanding towards the less fortunate. Highlights the disparity between social classes.
• "i am sorry for him; i couldn't be angry with him if i tried. Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself, always."


  Stave 3- Fred expresses his sympathy for Scrooge at his annual Christmas party

  
  

  Couldn't be angry= Fred's empathetic and compassionate nature is highlighted through his understanding and forgiveness of Scrooge, he is always benevolent.

  
  

  Himself, always= irony= although Scrooge is causing harm to others his actions cause himself to suffer the most. Destructive nature of selfishness. People who harbour negative thoughts and feelings towards others actually inflict more harm onto themselves.

  
  

  Fred shows the reader Christian morals of empathy and forgiveness.
• "This boy is ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware of them both.. but most of all beware of this boy."


  Stave 3- Scrooge sees two things emerging from the spirit's robe

  
  

  Ignorance= the ignorance of the rich towards the plight of the poor ignoring to root cause of the problem in society. The poor lack good education which could also lead to ignorance.

  
  

  Want= the rich's desire to have more or the poor's needs are not being met. if the poor aren't taken care of, society will be doomed.

  
  

  Scrooge is being made to realise his ignorance has consequences on others, the children can't do anything about being poor. Innocent victims are children who suffer- they have the least control in society and they suffer the most.
• "The phantom slowly, gravely silently approached."


  Stave 4- The ghost of Christmas yet to come arrives

  
  

  Phantom= ghostly- more menacing than the other ghosts, foreboding. Creates a solemn tone to reflect the contents of the stave and an eerie atmosphere created by the unknown.

  
  

  Slowly, gravely, silently= list of 3 adverbs, sinister approach links to death/serious and Scrooge has to pay attention to the ghosts lessons and he has to realise for himself that he has to change. contrasts other two spirits who would talk, this one forces Scrooge to do it on his own.
• "unwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man."


  Stave 4- narrator says this about Scrooge's dead body, Scrooge doesn't realise its his body

  
  

  Unwatched= Scrooge is abandoned and unprotected.

  Unwept= no one is grieving Scrooge's death.

  Uncared= not looked after/liked

  not how death should be- this is scrooge's biggest fear.

  
  

  Emphasises Scrooge's isolation and so highlights to the reader that family is more important than what Scrooge prioritises, money.

  
  

  Man= representative of mankind, if people do not change, Dickens says they will die a bad death.
• "An obscure part of the town, where Scrooge had never penetrated before, although he recognised its situation... the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth and misery."

  Stave 4- description of Old joe's neighbourhood

  
  

  Obscure= an unknown place or a place kept from being seen- neglected place that people have tried to ignore reflective of the ignorance of the Victorian wealthy.

  
  

  Penetrated= requires force/ effort to enter, implying Scrooge has never been bothered to find out about where the poor live, reflective of his ignorance.

  
  

  Recognised its situation= an indication of Scrooge's wilful ignorance, he is aware of poverty and suffering but he chooses to not act, Dickens is condemning the Victorian elite.
• "The finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again.. the kind hand trembled."


  Stave 4- Scrooge standing at his gravestone

  
  

  Finger pointed= pointing to Scrooge's dark future accusing and blaming Scrooge for his actions, the no communication causing discomfort. The finger is once again guiding Scrooge rather than words, forcing Scrooge to change independently - he cannot escape death but he can change the type of death he will die.

  
  

  Grave to him= Typifying the isolation Scrooge has chosen.

  
  

  Kind hand= the ghosts true purpose to benefit Scrooge is now being revealed as Scrooge begins to transform.
• "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future"


  Stave 4- Scrooge's transformation begins

  
  

  Honour Christmas= values of Christmas- kindness, togetherness and generosity- showing Scrooge is trying to be a better man.

  
  

  In my heart= metaphor, shows he is willing to take on the lessons learnt, he has a genuine desire to change.

  
  

  All the year= change must be for the rest of the year and the rest of society also need to change.

  
  

  The past, the present and the future= represents all three spirits and the lessons they have taught scrooge. Before, he only lived in the present but now he realises the importance of all the ghosts reflecting on his past.
• "He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions"


  Stave 5- Scrooge wakes up happy on Christmas morning

  
  

  So= repeated adverb. emphasising the extent to which Scrooge's emotions have changed.

  
  

  Fluttered= verb, showing how his transformation has given him a new lightness. Also shows excitement showing he us ready to embrace a new life.

  
  

  So glowing= motif of warmth representing ideas of happiness and love. Scrooge has now embraced his Christmas spirit. Links back to description of Fred in stave one, showing how Scrooge's attitudes have now changed.

  
  

  Good intentions= Scrooge is now thinking about the future and how he can be better and be more considerate. He has embraced social responsibility like Dickens wanted society to.
• "I'm quite a baby."


  Stave 5- Scrooge in his bedroom on Christmas

  
  

  Scrooge feels metaphorically reborn, he is given another chance to live a better life and given the opportunity to change.

  
  

  Symbol of purity and innocence, he has a chance to restart ad relearn.

  
  

  Contrasts with the elderly, depressed Scrooge at the start of the novella with his "stiffened" way of walking. Links to Fezziwig who although "old" has a youthful attitude towards life and he embraces Christianity values.

  
  

  Dickens emphasises that change is possible and people can be forgiven.
• "Running to the window, he opened it... golden sunlight; heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells."


  Stave 5- Scrooge on Christmas

  
  

  Running= Scrooge is excited and energised to begin his transformation, he has no time to lose.

  
  

  Opened= metaphor for Scrooge connecting with the world and no longer being shut off, juxtaposing 'oyster'.

  
  

  Semantic field of delight, Scrooge is filled with joy and feels gratitude at having the chance to change and redeem himself. Setting is much more euphoric mirroring scrooges positivity.

  
  

  Direct weather contrast with stave 1, a metaphor for Scrooge's clarity of vision.
• "Make up the fires.. before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit"


  Stave 5- Scrooge prioritising Bob's comfort

  
  

  Make up the fires= fire is used to symbolise spiritual warmth, Scrooge has changed to embrace spiritual values and accept its importance. Dickens implies that wealth should be used to enrich other people's lives and not be hoarded.

  
  

  Scrooge has transformed into a socially responsible employer. His priorities have changed, he now helps keep Fred warm rather than conserving his money and making Bob suffer. Scrooge now understands he needs to use his wealth to help the poor.

  
  

  Dickens wants the readers to realise that spiritual enrichment is more important than money, just like how scrooge had learnt.
• "to Tiny Tim.. he was a second father"


  Stave 5- Narrator says this about Scrooge

  
  

  Father= Scrooge now has a family, Scrooge's life has been enriched and he is now able to help others after giving up his obsession with money, shows Scrooge's new compassion and empathy.

  
  

  Also shows Scrooge's desire to fulfill a fatherly role, without undermining Bob, he can offer money and protection to Tiny Tim. Tim didn't die so it shows the impact of Scrooge's transformation, he now embraces the idea of a family unlike his previous self.
• "He knew how to keep Christmas well.. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!"

  Stave 5- closing lines of the novella said by the narrator

  
  

  Keep Christmas well= Scrooge has fully embraced the ideas of Christmas, the true values of it, generosity and family.

  
  

  Us= direct message to the reader from Dickens. He is asking the reader to take on the messages that Scrooge has learnt and transformed from.

  
  

  very last line- Tiny Tim gets the very last line- a final reminder to the reader to remember the poor and the positive impacts people can have. it offers hope for the future that society can change.