Family/ Kindness

• 'all in a glow ... his eyes sparkled' (Stave 1/Fred)

  1. MOTIF LIGHT: Light is synonymous to enlightenment and hope.
  2. Fred embodies this motif when it says 'glow' and 'sparkled' which portrays him as a beacon of guidance for Scrooge's redemption. Unlike the ghosts confrontation, Fred's magnanimous and compassionate nature creates a gentler path for Scrooge. And, Scrooge could emulate him.
• 'all in a glow ... his eyes sparkled' (Stave 1/Fred)

  3. FOIL TO SCROOGE: Unlike Fred, Scrooge is surrounded with 'cheap darkness' and a 'frosty rime.' This mirrors his miserly,misanthropic, frugal tendencies. This creates a stark contrast to Fred's charity and generosity. Furthermore, this is a benchmark for Scrooge's moral redemption at the end of the novella.
• 'Ill give you, Mr Scrooge, Founder of the feast!' (STAVE 3)

  1. Connotations of 'Founder': suggests creatorship as he perceives Scrooge to be quasi divine reverence because he feels blessed to be able to afford these luxuries.
  2. IRONY: Having a 'goose' and describing it with the superlative 'rarest' even though it is the cheaper alternative for a Turkey in the Victorian Era.
• 'Ill give you, Mr Scrooge, Founder of the feast!' (STAVE 3)

  3. REALITY: Disheartening reality of the destitute (Bob) because he feels so much blind gratitude towards Scrooge although he exploited him. He is presented to be benevolent and moral.
• 'Ill give you, Mr Scrooge, Founder of the feast!' (STAVE 3)

  4. Dickens presents the value of true wealth because despite having meager possessions he still feels grateful towards having a loving family. This presents the Cratchit family with morality and shared communal values.
• ' "My little little child" cried Bob. "My little child!" '

  1. REPETITION OF LITTLE: Fragility and innocence of Bob makes us feel sympathy towards him. Furthermore, Dickens suggests how often children fall victim of the relentless cycle of poverty.
  2. WRITERS MESSAGE: Dicken's message is that he critiques societal structures and advancements because defenseless members of society get caught up in these unfortunate aspects. Therfore, Dickens implies immediate social reform.
• ' "My little little child" cried Bob. "My little child!" '

  3. THOMAS MALTHUS/CONTEXT: Tiny Tim is portrayed as angelic,coupled with Bob's kindness, although they are still exploited by the upperclass and stay defenseless. Despite their growing morality, according to Malthus and the society, they are economic burdens as Scrooge refers them to the 'surplus population.'
• 'Quite a baby' 'merry as a schoolboy' Stave 5

  1. WORLD VIEW/INFANTILE: Scrooge uses infantile language when he brands himself as 'baby' and 'schoolboy' in his self description. This suggests how the ghosts have made him able to be regain his youth and innocence and by describing him as the most pure form of life - 'baby' he is now able to view the world with an untainted light.
• 'Quite a baby' 'merry as a schoolboy' Stave 5

  2. RELIGION: The Christian idea of rebirth indicates significance because it implies that Scrooge has undergone metamorphosis and spiritual renewal.

  3. ALTERNATIVELY: Jesus also re-birthed as a path of salvation for humanity and perhaps Scrooge has also strived through this path and now he will save the lower class.

  4. This is evident through Scrooge's paternal role to akin to being a 'second father' to Tiny Tim which shows how he is embodying compassion.