Act 1

• squeezing, wrenching ,grasping ,scraping ,clutching old sinner
• all in a glow
• "External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge"
• Fred's virtue is stronger than the forces of nature .

  Spotlight the power and value of family
• Prior to freds arrival Dickens focused on cold, gloomy imagery however when Fred appeared he "heated himself" and appeared "all in a glow"
• -in an era marked by strict social norms and hierarchical structure moments of familiar warmth and connection were cherished

  -being "all in a glow" could represent the celebration of togetherness and the joy found in shared experiences with family
• Dickens often used his characters to illustrate moral values and societal ideals Fred could perhaps be serving as a model for Victorian families ,encouraging them to prioritize love, warmth and emotional intimacy within households
• "decrease the surplus population"

  -scrooge is seen to be apathetic through his altruistic nature and lack of compassion

  • Thomas Malthusian assert
  • idea that if a man was born into the world and his parents couldn't provide for him he was surplus and sooner he dies the better
  • people where terrified of overpopulation especially amongst the poor
  • bringing children into the world which you couldn't provide for was somewhat a crime
• makes no distinction between the lower class and criminals by asking the charity collectors if there are any "prisons" ,"union workhouses " and the "the treadmill" generalizing them

  • poverty was seen as a type of illness needed to be eradicated
  • dickens was sent to warren blackings factory at twelve ,endured the appalling working conditions
• • Dickens wrote ACC in what was widely acknowledged as the end of the industrial resolution
  • the mechanisation of industry meant a less demand for workers as machines were able to do their jobs
  • while this meant Britain was going through an economic boom ,it had detrimental impacts on the working class as it meant they where no longer needed
• • "are there no prisons?...are there no workhouses?"
  • scrooge utters these words in response to being asked for a donation to help the poor and needy during the holiday season
  • rhetorical question implies a belief in a harsh form of social darwism or meritocracy in a callous nature, where individuals are solely responsible for their welfare
  • serves to highlight scrooges profound lack of empathy and compassion, as well as a deep engrained belief in a meritocratic system
• "I cant afford to make idle people merry"

  • scrooge is primarily concerned with his financial well -being and is unwilling to spend money on others, especially those who he perceives as lazy, or idle
  • reflects his miserly and self- centred attitude , prioritizing his own wealth over happiness and needs of others
  • sees charity and kindness as something to be earned rather than given ,reflecting an adherence to meritocratic principles
• "secret and self - contained and solitary as an oyster"

  • sibilance is similar to that of a snake suggesting something sinister
  • biblical allusion as it alludes to the snake ,in the tree which temped Adam and eve
  • scrooge is an outsider in society and is victim to his own ,selfish - inflicted loneliness
  • ostracised himself
• • "secret and self - contained and solitary as an oyster"
  • like an oyster that protects its inner contents ,scrooges emotional barrier shields him from the outside world
  • isolation sterns from his self - contained nature, where in he keeps his feelings and thoughts hidden from others,
• • "secret and self - contained and solitary as an oyster"
  • in the Victorian times people where extremely cordial ,greetings where apart of the culture
  • scrooge purposefully isolates himself from society and this same behaviour is mirrored through the people around him
  • fact that no one tries to greet scrooge shows the extent he's isolates himself
• "made out of cash boxes, keys padlocks, lodgers ,deeds ,chains [he] forged in life"

  • reinforces the idea that he is suffering due to his own actions
  • critique of materialism and importance of empathy and generosity over greed and selfishness
  • all items connected with his job
  • creates an image of a workplace dominated by financial concerns and devoid of wealth and humanity
  • emphasis on material possessions highlights Marley's prioritization of wealth over relationships
• • Marley's ghost is the first apparition who appears to scrooge; he warns scrooge that if he does not change his ways he too will experience the damning consequences of his sinful and isolated behaviour
  • could be seen as a representation of the Christian belief of heaven and hell and importance of repentance and redemption
• "I girded it of my own free will "

  • idea of original sin is God gave us free will in order to chose to be good but original sin proves were much more likely to choose evil due to our nature
  • suggests he took the heavy chains voluntarily ,without cohesion or external forces ,he willingly engaged in the actions that led to his current state
  • suggests a profound realization and acceptance of personal responsibility indicating Marley acknowledges the consequences of his choices
• "mankind was my business ... the dealings of my trade where nothing but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my of my business"

  • metaphor emphasises the insignificance of business transactions in contrast to actions on society and individuals well - being
  • Marley was so consumed by his pursuit of wealth and success that he lost sight of the importance of compassion and generosity
  • serves as a cautionary tale for scrooge ,urging hm to reconsider his own priorities and recognise the importance of caring for others