Scrooge quotes

• 1). Selfishness/ Materialism : T C W H F H O F


  "The cold within him froze his old features"

  The conceit (extended- metaphor) of the relentless cold holds parallels to Scrooge's distant and cold attitude- his internal apathy and detachment is so omnipotent, it alters his physical appearance
• 1). Selfishness/ Materialism : E H A C H L I


  "external heat and cold had little influence"

  He is successful in his ostracisation of himself as even elements of nature, typically uncontrollable, he has managed to isolate himself from.
• 2). Selfishness/ Materialism : A S C, N B H F & S A A O


  "A solitary child neglected by his friends" parallel to "solitary as an oyster"

  The parallel language allows the reader to understand how scrooges selfish and solitary existence in his adulthood is synonymous with his defenceless 'solitary' existence as a child.
• 2). Selfishness/ Materialism : A G I H D B


  A "golden" idol has displaced "belle"

  As golden' connotes valuable and precious this is used ironically to indict how Scrooge, a microcosm of the upper class, views materialistic items as valuable and precious over loved ones and other members of society.
• 3). Selfishness/ Materialism : I, T, G, G, P, B, M, P, S, O

  'ivy, turkey, geese, game, poultry, brown, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters..."

  The asyndetic list 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 for granted. However, as these foods all "vanished instantly"" it could allude to how these materialistic luxuries only provide an ephemeral (temporary) amount of joy.
• 4). Selfishness/ Materialism : W H H D W H M? C F , M T C


  "What has he done with his money?", "cheap funeral", "marketing the corpse"

  Scrooge's infatuation with money and materialism leads to others using economical 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 in his death he is dehumanised by only referring to him in economic terms- his value as a human is lost to his value as an emblem of money.
• 4). Selfishness/ Materialism : O B G A W


  "overrun by grass and weeds"

  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.
• 1). Social injustice/poverty: W R D Y H T B M? Y P E

  "What reason do you have to be merry? You're poor enough".

  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.
• 1). Social injustice/poverty: A T N P ? A T U W?


  "Are there no prisons?...And the union workhouses?

  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 sees them as mere numbers contributing to the "surplus population".
• 2). Social injustice/poverty: S V F A E C


  "still very foggy and extremely cold"

  "fog"can also represent institutionalised oppression (the government and people in charge controlling the people), Dickens uses this to subtly indict how the oppression and social injustice is in every crevice in London.
• 3). Social injustice/poverty: T M I T T W L


  "tell me if Tiny Tim will live."

  Scrooge's use of imperatives, paired with the verb "cried", highlights his catharsis (an emotional release) 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.
• 3). Social injustice/poverty: T B I I T G I W


  "The boy is ignorance. The girl is want."

  Ignorance and want are allegorical characters aim to highlight the unjustified abuse on innocent children as a result of poverty. It is significant that Ghost of present shows him this, as Dickens uses the ghost of present as his mouthpiece to criticise the socio-economic poverty that pervaded Victorian society.
• 3). Social injustice/poverty: Y S & W


  They are "yellow", "scowling" and "wolfish"

  "yellow" could imply that children are physically sick and malnourished because of the neglection 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.
• 4). Social injustice/poverty: H G I D A A W P


  "His grave is described as a "a worthy place!"

  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.
• 1). Supernatural: P S B C


  "piercing, searching, biting cold” (about the weather)

  The personification of the weather makes the weather seem powerful; this could be an allusion to the forthcoming supernatural powers to come.
• 2). Supernatural: H S T E-C A B A S A P D U I H


  "he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head."

  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 him unable to confront his pain. from the past. The aggressive verb "pressed", paired with the rapid adverb of "sudden", explores how Scrooge is engulfed with deeply repressed emotions, he acts out irrationally due to sheer panic.
• 3). Supernatural: S E T A H H H B T S

  "Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit"

  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.
• 4). Supernatural: I W L I T P T P A T F. T S O A T S S W M

  "I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me".

  Scrooges 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.
• 2). Kindness/family: H H A S W I T S A W H F S

  "His heart and soul were in the scene, and with his former self."

  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".
• 5). Kindness/family: I S I T B C'S


  "I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's"

  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.
• 1). Religion: S W G S C C O S


  "squeezing, wrenching,.grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner"

  The use of 7 negative adjectives mirrors how there are 7 deadly sins- these are called cardinal sins and were seen in the bible as the and root the of all sins evil. are The used by parallels Dickens to between highlight Scrpromew the rich, symbolised by Scrooge, are more sintul than the poor.
• 2). Religion:H S O C A A. T W A E G R M I T E


  "he signs of care and avarice. There was an eager greedy, restless motion in the eye"

  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 is synonymous with his greed
• 3). Religion: F M I I A N J I W I A

  "Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask".

  Shows respect and is receptive to the ghosts teaching this has biblical undertones of asking for salvation and forgiveness from God- "forgive 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.
• 5). Religion: I A A H A A A

  "I am as happy as an angel"

  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.
• 5). Religion: "Q A B" and "A M A A SB"


  "quite a baby" and "as merry as a schoolboy".

  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
• 5). Religion: H W T C A W A T S


  "He went to church,and walked about the street"

  The syntax (word order) of church being first highlights how he has now understooa the importance of religious teachings and how it provides an integral moral foundation to an individual.
• 3). Regret/ redemption: S E T A H H H B T S


  "Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit"

  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 is open to have a chance or redemption and regrets his ignorance
• 3). Regret/ redemption: I H B L T D H B D I A D T S P, OC W P A G


  "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population" (ghost repeating back to Scrooge). This resulting in Scrooge being "overcome with penitence and grief"

  The ghost emulates Scrooge's heartless Malthusian view. Scrooge feels intense remorse as 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 of individuals like Scrooge seeing them as in inconvenience in society.
• 4).Regret/Redemption : H M! I A N T M I W


  "hear me! I am not the man I was"

  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 is shouting and pleading the ghost.
• 5). Regret/ redemption: I A A L A A F, I A A H A A A, I A A M A A SB


  "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, l am as merry as a schoolboy".

  "I am as a light as a feather" is the antithesis to his the simile in stave one of him being "as hard and sharp as a flint", The juxtaposing similes highlights how Scrooge feels he has been liberated, now feeling "light", from the burdens of carrying his once "own low temperature"
• 5). Regret/ redemption: Q A B & A M A A SB


  "quite a baby" and "as merry as a schoolboy".

  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 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.