A Christmas Carol

• "His wealth is of no use to him. He don't do any good with it." (4)

  - Wealth predominantly viewed for own benefit - not a consensus, We see from different perspective where they do not live in this rapacious mindset.

  - Dickens tries to get across that money has no value if it does not help someone. It doesn't even help Scrooge himself as he hoards money in fear of poverty but it does not bring him joy nonetheless as he still continues to be a "covetous old sinner" and has the ignorant and derogatory attitude towards the lower class.

  - Outlines: materialism doesn't benefit anyone, it is purposeless and should be abandoned, solidifying its portrayal as a worthless concept within the novella

  - Hope, view him as a lost cause, changes = bigger deal
• "Few pounds of your mortal money" (3)

  - Metaphor and alliteration

  - Fezziwig tries to convey that the cost is only a temporary sacrifice, that the happiness as a result is disproportionate to any money spent.

  - Dickens emphasises how a little charity can make a great difference and shows how charity can enrich people's lives.
• "A year older, but not an hour richer" (2)


  - Scrooge's fixation on money allows him to see only Christmas's associated expenses.

  - He feels hostility toward those who appear to be happy, as if merriment itself is a threat to him.
• "might have called him father" and

  "been a springtime in the haggard winter of his life" (2)

  - Dickens uses pathos to describe Scrooge's suffering to make us feel pity or sorrow.

  - Use of pathetic fallacy, links to "he carried his own low temperature" - suggests his compassion is in absence, his only companion is misery - insinuates that family could have brought the joy he lacks in his life and shows the regret he faces throwing it all away for his extreme avarice (greed for wealth).

  - "Might" shows him reflecting on the possibilities that he threw away and demonstrates him ruing his decisions.
• "Are there no prisons?" → REPEATED (3)

  - Quotes the insensitive rhetorical confront Scrooge with his own harsh words now that he is beginning to feel empathy for the less fortunate, such as the Cratchit family.

  - Dickens utilises irony in this situation, as Scrooge's past callousness starkly contrasts with his growing compassion, highlighting the transformation in his character.

  - He is a mouthpiece for Dickens' views on social reform
• "They are man's" (4)

  - Metaphor and collective noun "man's" indicates that it is mankind's fault for the deprivation of society + need for collective responsibility. It presents the consequences of an attitude like Scrooge's towards the poor (Malthus)

  - Scrooge = symbol of the rich, his horror in reaction to 'Ignorance and Want' shows that Scrooge is starting to transform and show compassion

  - Represent the failings of a society that seeks to be progressive but fails to meet the most basic needs of its children. Ignorance of this is monstrous because it demonstrates a willingness to overlook the constant state of deprivation, or want, of children who rely on their society for protection.

  - It could be argued that their existence ties in closely with abandonment of the poor in society.
• "You who [..] weigh everything by gain" (2)

  - Only views something's value by its cost, and this mentality has cost his gaiety, which Dickens conveys as priceless - as its value exceeds any material object.

  - Through this, he has lost his chance of having a wife and family which may have provided him the affection he currently lacks in his life.
• "May sponge away the writing on this stone!" (2)

  - Dickens' warning mustn't be missed here that Scrooge is feeling this torment of remorse, this shows that his change stems from authentic regret, and not the fear that his afterlife will look similar to that of Jacob Marley.

  - Shows that such a change in attitude and behaviour is possible and together we are able to make a change in society which is the message that Dickens attempts to convey to his 18th century readers
• "Decrease the surplus population" (5)

  - Speaking from a point of influence (Capitalism), Treats the poor as inhuman, desensitised creatures that he has no responsibility for - their fault they are poor

  - Malthus preached that betterment of humankind is impossible without stern limits on reproduction.

  - Dickens assigns the Malthusian theory to an unlikeable and rapacious character to portray his views like Scrooge's character: unscrupulous (unethical). Malthus' callousness is highlighted in Scrooge's remark.

  - Dickens tries to show that starvation is not inevitable if the rich became more generous.

  - Ironic: Scrooge is victim of capitalism, he lives an empty life as a recluse + does not contribute to society - surely if anyone would be seen as a 'waste', it would be the man who hoards his wealth for his own satisfaction.
• "Wear the chains I forged in life" (3)

  - Previously referenced their alikeness, foreshadowing Scrooge's fate.

  - Chain: Symbol of his sins in life and his guilt that burdens him in the afterlife - uses this to demonstrate the consequences of mistreatment of others.

  - "Chains" implies he is imprisoned for his actions - ironic as the upper class viewed the poor as criminals, ("Are there no prisons?"), when it is in fact those who are avaricious and callous that suffer from their ill whims.
• "He carried his own low temperature about him" (4)

  - Metaphor to show his only companion is his misery.

  - Through pathetic fallacy, Dickens uses a plethora of cold imagery to portray Scrooge as curmudgeonly and wholly unlikeable, an archetypal villain.

  - Connotes lack of the warmth of normal human compassion, shows his apathetic yet hostile attitude. He is a misanthropist who treats others with severity.

  - He lives in opposition to others who attempt to 'warm' themselves against the chill, appearing to revel in his detachment.
• "Dismal little cell" (3)

  - "Cell" has connotations of imprisonment. Suggests that Scrooge is uncaring to his employees and treats them without respect.

  - "Dismal" - implies gloom he's forced to work in, alternatively his feeling toward his repetitive and long working hours.

  - "Little" denotes small and insignificant; reflects influence the working-class had in capitalistic Victorian society.
• "He was all in a glow" (4)

  - Fred is the antithesis of Scrooge, he juxtaposes Scrooge's cold, emphasising Scrooge's exclusion from society.

  - Epitomises the (whatever essay is e.g. Christmas spirit, generosity) which suggests that the reason for Scrooge's hostile behaviour is due to his lack of...

  - Not only is Fred literally warm, but he emits a metaphorical warmth to those around him.

  - Fred doesn't allow himself to be disheartened by Scrooge's gruff replies - suggesting his strength in his compassion and jolly personality.
• "I can't afford to be making idle people merry" (2)

  - Uses "idle" interchangeably with "poor", showing the Malthus views that all those in poverty deserve to be there as they do nothing to try and improve their situation. Mirrors the Victorian upper class's attitude towards charity.

  - "Can't afford" he is blinded with insatiable greed, shows his misplaced priorities in saving himself from poverty, instead of those who are suffering in it.
• "Buried with a stake of holly through their heart" (3)

  - Show his ruthlessness and low opinion towards those of the lower class and illustrates Scrooge's contempt and aversion towards Christmas - a time of community and financial sacrifice, both which he exists in opposition to.

  - "Stake" - connotes vampires, perceives LC as parasites (blood = money)

  - Scrooge clearly indicates his annoyance with people displaying Christmas cheer by using hyperbolic language by wishing for their torturous death.
• "Are there no prisons?" (3)

  - Believes his status suggests that poverty is not directly relevant to him, his controversial view on Christmas are the principle for his unpopularity and presents his negligence of those who are in dire need of help - Malthus.

  - He makes no distinction between the lower class and criminals and suggests that they are responsible for their own condition and are not legitimate recipients of charity.

  - Dickens tries to show it is these attitudes that are the result of the deprivation of society, and tries to show the greater need for social reform, and the Poor Law which ensured that the poor were housed in workhouses, clothed and fed.
• "A very low fire indeed" (2)

  - "Fire" - connotes amiability (friendliness) which he lacks in.

  - Reflects his parsimonious (ungenerous) character, with the intensifier 'very' emphasising just how meagre fire is and so how limited the generosity is in Scrooge's personality.
• "Another idol has displaced me [...] a golden one" (3)

  - "Golden" - colour symbolism, represents wealth/greed.

  - "Idol" - He worships and envelops his life in it, illustrating the extent of Scrooge's fixation with money.

  - "Displaced" demonstrates his value of wealth over love and the consequences that comes of this avaricious attitude.
• "Gain, engrosses you" (3)

  - Scrooge has placed material wealth above love. Belle's character traces the moral degradation of Scrooge.

  - All he has to "gain" is money, suggests only thing of importance to him.

  - Scrooge fears poverty - why he values money so highly.
• "'I was a boy!' he said impatiently" (3)

  - "Impatiently" - how little he values her input due to the fact he is addicted to wealth. Exclamation reinforces this.

  - "Boy" - he thinks indulging himself was immature and that as an adult, he should be earning money, sense of change.

  - Childhood links to a sense of felicity, he lost this when he became fixated with wealth, however he regains this gaiety at the end through the simile "as merry as a schoolboy"
• "He could not hide the light" (3)

  - "Light" is symbolic of the enlightenment of Scrooge's past.

  - Illustrates Scrooge's past had a significant impact on him and he is unable to extinguish his memory, emphasising the importance of reflection.

  - Ghosts are a catalyst for Scrooge's transformation, an allegory for necessary change and rebirth in the upper strata of Victorian societies.
• "Tonight if you ought to teach me, let me profit by it" (3)

  - Scrooge's willingness to learn, he has been transformed.

  - 'Profit' - hint of selfishness, implication of individual, material, gain (linked to his miserly ways thus suggesting learning is not done).

  - "Aught" - shown as an inexorable chore, almost as though he is being forced rather than changing of his own will.
• "Chestnuts shaped like the waistcoats of jolly old gentlemen" (1)

  - Simile, even the chestnuts are jovial and dressed up on Christmas, sense of joy and community, everything is significant.
• "Poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons" (4)

  - Mrs Cratchit makes the best of things, she is unable to buy new clothes yet she makes an effort and feels beautiful in her ribbons - reinforces the idea that joy and beauty do not stem from wealth (moral).

  - "Brave" - suggests that the Cratchit's approach to life is noble and admirable.

  - "Ribbons"- dressing up festively, despite their poverty (antithesis of Scrooge)

  - The Cratchit's symbolises Dickens' idea of the 'deserving poor'.
• "Precious father" (2)

  - "Precious" - connotations of great expense, rich in love. (wealthier than Scrooge) - coupled with "father" shows the value of family and community, what Scrooge lacks in because he only measures value in material gain, rather than love - which Dickens presents as priceless.

  - Care more about their family's well being than money - family is top priority.
• "Feebly cried 'Hurrah!'" (2)

  - Even though he is physically weak, his spirit will always remain strong. Suggests it is from the love of his family that means he continues to persist.

  - "Feebly" is contrasted with the exclamation "Hurrah" to convey this.
• "No, no [...] Kind Spirit! Say he shall be spared." (2)

  - Scrooge's agony over the predicted death of Tiny Tim illustrates how much he is changing. Repetition 'no' reflects Scrooge's horror (tries to deny the future)

  - Deep concern is sharp contrast: dismissive attitude to the surplus population at the start of the novella. Scrooge is learning compassion and connecting with humanity again.
• "Overcome with penitence and grief" (2)

  - "Overcome" shows the extent to Scrooge's dismay, hearing his own words repeated back to him. He begins to develop empathy towards the lower class, contrast to when he viewed them as desensitised creatures that he has no responsibility for - shows the harmfulness and ignorance that comes of this attitude.

  - "Penitence" - Religious connotations and suggest a true depth of despair at his previous notions. (Dickens attacks Malthusian capitalist theories)
• "Shrouded in a deep, black garment" (3)

  - "Shrouded" - connotes a funeral shroud, suggesting Victorian society's future (represented through Scrooge) will advance to its doom (metaphorically implying his fate is sealed/time is up)

  - "deep black garment" - reflects the Grim Reaper archetype, a symbol of approaching death in Victorian society.

  - Innately mysterious nature of the future is reflected in the ghost's concealed figure - symbolises fear of death. Scrooge fears the unknown, links to the security money provides him, the one thing he can control.
• "My little, little child!" (3)

  - Exclamation repetition - evidences Bob's despair in losing his child (sympathise with Bob), makes Scrooge want to change.

  - Repetition 'little' - infantilization to emphasise his youth and being undeserving of death. Enables the reader to see that this is unfair and to reflect on the high mortality rate amongst poor children.

  - Evokes pathos Dickens attempts through sympathy to discredit the Malthusian theory, that all are worthy of love and care.
• "Lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself." (4)


  - 'Gasping' - explicitly imagine the death, suggesting struggle and pain.

  - 'Alone' and 'by himself' highlight the loneliness of the life he chose.

  - Against what Victorians considered to be a 'good death' where you die surrounded by friends and family and then are mourned afterwards.

  - Lack of sympathy, reflects his attitude to the demise and suffering of the Lower Class - attempts to empathise with Scrooge.
• "The kind hand trembled" (2)

  - "Kind" - evidences that even death has mercy for, seems to display pity for Scrooge.

  - Only Ghost to see Scrooge's transformation to completion, perhaps the Ghost feels sympathetic that this is the future he receives after seeing Scrooge beg for another chance.
• "I am as light as a feather" (3)

  - Emphasise Scrooge's elation at a second chance. Repetitive structure and short exclamations - sense that he can't put into words how happy he is.

  - "Feather" - associated with flying birds, creates a feeling of freedom and emphasises the positive spirit Scrooge is now feeling.

  - He has broken out of his locked up, excluded from society behaviour - he is also free of the burden of greed.
• "I'm quite a baby" (2)

  - Metaphor represents Scrooge's rebirth.

  - "Baby" symbolises childlike care for all that should always remain in the world.
• No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold" (2)

  - Pathetic fallacy - Clear weather at resolution = Scrooge can see now clearly - reinforced by the adjectives juxtaposing the foggy, misty scenes of earlier chapters when Scrooge could not see the error of his ways.

  - The religious language reveals his redemption and fulfilment of Christian value
• "I'll raise your salary!"

  - Understands power as an employer to help make the conditions that Bob works under more pleasant, fair and help him keep his family out of poverty.

  - Exclamation shows the joy that brings him when he is generous, unlike when he is avaricious and grouchy.

  - He embodies the Christmas Spirit - making small financial sacrifices for the betterment of others (main message of the novella).

  - Shows even the most covetous of men can change - inspiration to those that anyone can help with the social reform.