A Christmas Carol

• Scrooge quotation Stave 2 


  “As solitary as an oyster”
• Scrooge Quotation Stave 1 


  “Cold had little influence“
• Scrooge quotation Stave 1 


  “are there no prisons ? are there no workhouses?“
• Scrooge quotation Stave 4 


  “His grave is described as a worthy place”

  -Exclamative sentence suggests the excitement that Scrooge is being justly punished for his frugal and miserly existence.

  Theme = Social injustice
• Scrooge quotation Stave 2 


  ”His heart and soul were in the scene and with his former self”

  -In stave 2 Scrooge has a warm and welcoming ambience surrounding him

  -Direct Juxtaposition to his former cold presentation where the “Cold had little influence”

  Theme = Redemption
• Scrooge quotation Stave 1 


  “decrease the surplus population”

  -Scrooge says this + ghosts repeat this to Scrooge emulating Scrooges heartless Malthusian views

  -Portrays Scrooges blissful ignorance torwards the plight of the poor

  (Plight = dangerous)

  Theme = Regret/Redemption
• Scrooge Quotation Stave 1 


  “Squeezing , wrenching , grasping , scraping , clutching , covetous old sinner”

  -The use of 7 negative adjectives mirrors the 7 deadly sins these are seen in the bible as the root of all evil. Used by Dickens to highlight how the rich are more sinful than the poor.

  Theme = Religion
• Scrooge quotation Stave 4 


  “hear me ! am not the man I was“

  -Imperative phrase “hear me“ demonstrates Scrooges desperation to be allowed a chance at redemption

  -The exclamative sentence compounds the description as he is shouting + pleading to the ghosts

  Theme = Redemption
• Scrooge Quotation Stave 3 


  “Scrooge entered timidly and hung his head before this spirit”

  -Scrooge appears submissive to the ghost open and welcoming the idea of a spiritual awakening

  -For the first time shows remorse and obedience portrays he is open for a chance of redemption and regrets his ignorance

  Theme = Regret/ Redemption
• Scrooge quotation Stave 3 


  “Tell me if Tiny Tim will live”

  -Scrooges use of imperatives highlights his catharsis (emotional release) because of his guilt due to his blatant disregard and ignorance to the poor.

  Theme = Social Injustice
• Scrooge quotation Stave 1 


  -“Eternal heat and cold had little influence”

  -He is successful in his ostracisation of himself even elements of nature isolate from him

  -Ostracisation = Act of excluding someone from society

  Theme = selfishness / Materialism
• Scrooge quotation Stave 2 


  “As solitary child neglected by his friends“

  -Parallel language allows the reader to understand Scrooges selfishness and solitary existence. as it contrasts from his existence as a child to him being an adult

  Theme = selfishness / Materialism
• Jacob Marley Quotation Stave 1 


  “But you were always a good man of business , Jacob” … “Mankind was my business”.

  -Marley deeply regrets his decision to be a misanthropic miser he tries to warn Scrooge however Scrooge sees his worth and value within business his ignorant capitalist mindset is shown as he doesn’t understand Marley Suffering. Theme = Regret / Redemption
• Jacob Marley Quotation Stave 4

  “Dragging a heavy chain“

  -Chain symbolise restriction+entrapment

  -Extended Metaphor of chains used to portray his external consequences as he is now carrying these punishments (god has made him subject to this eternal suffering in hell).

  Theme = Religion
• Jacob Marley Quotation Stave 1

  “Scrooge fell upon his knees and clapped his hands before his face”

  -Scrooge is horrified through the gothic supernatural presentation Marley

  -Marley is portrayed to conform to the archetype of a ghost horrifying in appearance +pained suffering to create a reaction from Scrooge to catalyse a change.

  Theme = Supernatural
• Jacob Marley Quotation Stave 1

  “His chain was long and wound about him like a tail”

  -The simile “Like a tail” implies that his egoism +selfishness has lead to animalistic treatment in hell

  -Disregard for others in his life lead to him being disregarded as an animal in his after life.

  -Due to social injustice he contributed to he is now leading a dehumanising and animal existence in his after life. Theme = Social injustice / Poverty
• Jacob Marley Quotation Stave 1 


  “The chain he drew was clasped about his middle“

  -Shows entire being cannot escape this sempiternal torture

  -Marley is a physical and metaphorical representation of making money and materialism the main purpose of your life = the main reason for your eternal suffering. Theme = Selfishness/Materialism
• Jacob Marley Quotation Stave 1 


  “I wear the chains I forged in life I made it link by link”

  -Chains are all interconnecting the sins of Marley also demonstrates in actuation with money + abandonment of compassion is connected to his anguish (severe mental or physical pain).

  -Chains = Metaphor

  -Context , during Industrial Revolution lots of goods were made by machines not hands

  Theme = Selfishness / Materialism
• “A golden idol” - Belle
• “Rise and walk with me !” - Ghost of Christmas Past

  -Imperative , Ghost is to be obeyed
• “Branch of fresh green holly” - Ghost of Christmas past - Symbolises Christmas holly = green / everlasting religious connotations
• “It was a strange figure - like a child yet not so like a child” - A ghost of Christmas past , Juxtaposition doesn’t want to be defined as young or old as he represents everyone
• “I see a vacant seat the child will die” - Ghost of Christmas present

  -If Scrooge doesn’t help Tiny Tim will die because of malnutrition represents Thomas Malthuses views
• “Sympathy with all poor men” - Ghost of Christmas present

  -Shows this spirit as generous and kind hearted
• “The Phantom glided” - The ghost of Christmas yet to come , The spirit is no way human
• “The spirt stronger yet , repulsed him” -Ghost of Christmas yet to come , Spirit is always stronger than humans gives supernatural additions gives power to further scare Victorian readers
• “It gave him no reply” - Gost of Christmas yet to come

  -Spectre trying to make Scrooge take back control