Studied by 2 peopleTags & Description
'i wear the chain i forged in life' 'i made it link by link'
= indicates to the reader that Marley’s predicament is due to his own actions
'i wear' present tense = permanent consequence
repetition of 'link' shows the great scale of his actions
His warning to Scrooge (and to the reader) is that everyone is responsible for their actions and will be held accountable for them
'a solitary boy, neglected by his friends'
Through the Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge’s memories become a catalyst for his transformation
reaction: 'sobbed'
emotive language = readers can see him in a vulnerable state
= readers can sympathise and depict his ability to change
'its genial face, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour'
described in positive terms:
could be viewed as the personification of the Christmas spirit in that it represents everything that is positive about Christmas
antithesis to scrooge's description in stave 1 “a covetous, old sinner!”
'could not hide the light'
Scrooge attempts to extinguish the spirit’s light but fails to do;
His inability to extinguish the light depicts the power of reflection and self-discovery
Although Scrooge is reluctant to confront his past as it exposes him to pain and regret, it is necessary for his redemption
'replaced [her]' with a 'golden idol'
belle represents the contented life that Scrooge could have had and underscores the corrosive consequences of being driven by greed = leads to [self inflicted] isolation
make money a priority over nurturing the relationships in his life
'a covetous old sinner'
'covetous' - wanting things that others have = greed
'sinner' - amplifies the victorian belief how people that are greedy for material goods go against the word of God, therefore are unchristian (which was condemned)
'self-contained and as solitary as an oyster'
sibilance similar to that of a snake = suggests something sinister
biblical imagery of the snake that tempted Adam + Eve in the Garden of Eden
'oyster' - staple food in victorian england
grows in darkness = neglected in childhood
pearl = capacity to be charitable/caring, through embracing the xmas spirit
'are there no prisons? ... and the union workhouses?'
Scrooge reveals his ignorance of the poor as he makes no distinction between the lower classes and criminals
Scrooge’s support for prisons and workhouses illustrates his flawed views on how to solve the issues of poverty
he believes these establishments are sufficient enough to provide for the poor
'if they rather die, [than go to prisons or workhouses], they better do it and decrease the surplus population'
vocalises his malthusian principles that the rich should fear the poor and their big families as they will cause 'zero growth'
the ideology that mass starvation was the inevitable result of a growing population
lacks any sympathy, careless w/ the lives of others
describe jacob marley
referenced in the opening “Marley was dead, to begin with”
By declaring Marley has been dead seven years before the narrative opens, it sets up the scene for the shock and anguish which Scrooge experiences when he appears to him
Marley and Scrooge’s relationship is established “Scrooge was his sole residuary legatee"
Although both were partners for “many years” he is merely associated with business, rather than an affectionate friendship
described as a terrifying figure and is condemned to wander in heavy chains “made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds”:
These items are all symbols linked to his occupation and are used to signify the obsession he had with business and money while he was alive
Marley is a haunted figure and similar to Scrooge, he was once materialistic and self-centered, however, he is remorseful for his actions:
acknowledges that “charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence” should have been his business
Dickens uses Marley’s ghost as an allegorical warning against greed and avarice:
Marley declares: “I wear the chain I forged in life” = indicates to the reader that Marley’s predicament is due to his own actions
His warning to Scrooge (and to the reader) is that everyone is responsible for their actions and will be held accountable for them
introduces a supernatural and religious element to the plot:
Marley could be seen as symbolic of Christian beliefs in Heaven, Hell, and repentance, as he is presented in a purgatory state and is forced to remain there until he has repented for his deeds
One of his purposes in the novella is to save Scrooge from a similar fate:
used only to warn Scrooge; he cannot force him to alter his ways as Scrooge must do this himself
acts as a Catalyst for the transformation of Scrooge:
Dickens indicates that Scrooge had a “terrible sensation” after Marley’s visit and it is this fear which first prompts his desire to changed
describe the ghost of christmas past
introduced in Stave II and declares it has come for Scrooge’s welfare and reclamation :
The spirit is presented as: wise, gentle, forceful and enigmatic
described through a range of dualities and paradoxes:
It is described: “like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man”
= could illustrate Scrooge’s contradictory qualities, as the spirit shows a younger Scrooge who was once capable of having feelings for others
Dickens further describes the spirit as having “a bright clear jet of light” springing from its head:
The light could be seen as symbolic of Illumination, memory, and guidance:
highlight and expose Scrooge’s past and present behaviour
At first, Scrooge is defiant and challenges the authority of the spirit though he begins to accept its guidance
Light is also symbolic of goodness and it is in contrast to Scrooge’s dreary existence
Vision 1: Scrooge sees himself as a young boy at school 'a solitary boy, neglected by his friends' Scrooge weeps for his former self left alone:
forces Scrooge to display emotion and it begins to create empathy for his character as we can see him in a vulnerable state
Vision 2: Scrooge sees his sister Fan, who comes to bring him home from school, having been given their father’s permission to do so:
= forces Scrooge to consider his behaviour towards Fan’s son, Fred, who is affectionate to Scrooge in the same way Fan once was
Vision 3: Scrooge sees the Christmas ball held by his former employer, Mr Fezziwig, where he had acquired his work apprenticeship:
Scrooge is forced to see how Mr Fezziwig is a much kinder employer than he is, which makes him reflect on his conduct towards Bob
Vision 4: Scrooge sees himself with his fiancée, Belle, who abandoned him due to his obsession with wealth
Vision 5: Scrooge sees Belle as a happy, older married woman with children:
This vision makes Scrooge reflect on how his life could have been much different with a wife and family
Scrooge attempts to extinguish the spirit’s light but fails to do so as he “could not hide the light”:
His inability to extinguish the light depicts the power of reflection and self-discovery
Although Scrooge is reluctant to confront his past as it exposes him to pain and regret, it is necessary for his redemption
describe the ghost of christmas yet to come
introduced in Stave 4 and is a harrowing and sinister character
described as “shrouded in a deep black garment ... save one outstretched hand”:
previous two spirits were associated with light, this spirit is linked with darkness, death
the previous two spirits have helped to guide Scrooge through their discourses with him, Dickens purposely does not enable this spirit to speak:
This suggests Scrooge must finally come to a realisation all by himself and without any help from the spirit
The spirit is an ominous and sombre figure and is in contrast to the youthful Ghost of Christmas Past and the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present:
Scrooge declares: “I fear you more than any spectre I have seen” and the spirit depicts Scrooge’s future as one of misery and despair IF he does not change
describe ebenezer scrooge
Scrooge is the protagonist, first presented as a misanthropic businessman who is miserly, callous, materialistic and unsympathetic
continual expression “humbug”:
The word is used to signify Scrooge’s attitude towards Christmas, which he views as a sham and a fraud
It demonstrates his strong aversion to Christmas and the society around him in general
Scrooge’s cruel and condescending treatment and ignorance of the poor are depicted as typical of the attitude of many of the wealthy classes:
He makes Bob work in dreadful conditions and makes him live in constant fear of losing his job
he refuses to make a charitable donation to the poor and instead declares: “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”
Despite Scrooge’s initial presentation, stave 2 creates empathy for his character:
Dickens depicts Scrooge’s childhood as lonely and isolated and this invokes sympathy for him as a young boy: “A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still”
past events may have corrupted his once-good nature and this creates sympathy for him as well as provides an element of hope
Scrooge’s memories become another catalyst for his transformation
Through the character of Tiny Tim, Scrooge develops his ability to empathise with those who are less fortunate:
Tiny Tim plays an important part in inspiring Scrooge’s transformation
Dickens presents Scrooge’s transformation from avarice to benevolence:
By the end of the novella, transformed into a charitable philanthropist : “I am as happy as an angel," and “I am not the man I was”
describe tiny tim
Tiny Tim is presented as frail, ill, vulnerable, joyful and hopeful:
= highlights the misfortunes of children + elicits sympathy from the reader
++ illustrates the affectionate qualities of Bob’s character
Highlights Scrooge’s developing empathy:
He plays an important part in inspiring Scrooge’s transformation which is central to the narrative
describe ignorance + want
Ignorance and Want are used as an allegory as they are representative of children who are forced to live in terrible conditions:
they expose the consequences of society’s greed and avarice
describe belle
Belle is presented as a virtuous and earnest character and is contrasted to Scrooge:
She represents the contented life that Scrooge could have had and underscores the corrosive consequences of greed
describe fan
Fan is presented as a loving and caring sister and she is also a catalyst for Scrooge’s change:
She is an important memory for Scrooge and is a reminder of the importance of family
describe fezziwig
Fezziwig is represented as a jovial and high-spirited character:
His character is used to convey the celebratory nature of Christmas
Dickens juxtaposes Fezziwig’s heartfelt treatment of his employees with Scrooge’s callous conduct towards Fred + Bob Cratchit
describe fred
Fred is the antithesis to Scrooge in both spirit and appearance, yet despite his uncle’s disdain for him, he remains loyal, charitable + sympathetic towards Scrooge "im sorry w/ all my heart to find you so resolute"
Dickens uses the character of Fred to make Scrooge’s miserly and pessimistic behaviour appear even worse
what is dicken's intention w/ death + loss in a christmas carol
Dickens is critical of the unjust Capitalist system in which individuals are forced to exist
Dickens aims to encourage others to look after one another and to work towards a society where all members are treated more equally and fairly
death + loss in a christmas carol
Opens w/ “Marley was dead, to begin with”:
As death normally signifies the ending of things, Dickens inverts this and instead begins the novella with a death and ends it with the rebirth of Scrooge:
It is Marley’s death which makes Scrooge’s transformation possible
Dickens presents the death of Marley w/ no sense of loss conveyed
His death is described in a clinical and detached manner which alludes to Scrooge’s cold character
Marley’s ghost serves as a warning to Scrooge and to the reader that everyone is responsible for their actions and will be held accountable
While Scrooge is very much alive in the novella, Dickens uses images associated with deathto describe him:
“The cold within him froze his old features…his thin lips blue” suggests that something within Scrooge is also dead
Dickens uses the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as a foreboding symbol of death, bringing punishment or reward:
previous two spirits were associated with light, this spirit is linked to darkness, death is an Ominous and Sombre figure
Dickens presents images of death to signify the consequences of the unfair capitalist systemin which the characters exist:
For example, juxtaposes the green of Tiny Tim’s burial ground with the darkness of Scrooge’s grave
Dickens uses Tiny Tim to highlight the high levels of child mortality [+the poor living conditions and malnourishment] in Victorian England, especially for those who were poor
transformation + redemption in a christmas carol
Dickens depicts Scrooge’s journey of transformation from a cruel, parsimonious miser to a Benevolent, kind man:
dickens portrayed him as an advocate of the ignorant malthusian principles/ poor laws he despised in his own society in order to provoke change
= intended views begin to feel uncomfortable w/ their shared beliefs = in effect begin to dissociate themselves from scrooge + thus the ideologies that state "__"
Scrooge’s preoccupation with materialism is detrimental to his happiness:
His former fiancée Belle ends their engagement because he has replaced her with a “golden idol”
Dickens conveys the message that everyone has the ability to show compassion and kindness, regardless of their social position:
Dickens presents those as contented and fulfilled, while those who do not are depicted as bitter and unhappy
Dickens uses each spirit to teach Scrooge a vital moral lesson and the regret Scrooge exhibits is necessary for his redemption:
Through the Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge’s memories become a catalyst for his transformation
sees himself as 'a solitary boy, neglected by his friends'
reaction: 'sobbed'
emotive language = readers can see him in a vulnerable state
= readers can sympathise and depict his ability to change
Through Tiny Tim, Scrooge develops his ability to empathise with the less fortunate (also a catalyst)
Dickens clearly presents Scrooge’s transformation from avarice to benevolence:
By the end transformed into a charitable philanthropist : “I am as happy as an angel" and “I am not the man I was”
what is dicken's intention w/ family + relationships in a christmas carol
Dickens underscores his message about the importance of family and its centrality to people’s lives
Dickens demonstrates how an obsession with greed and material possessions can destroy relationships
what is dicken's intention with poverty in a christmas carol
Dickens attempts to ensure Scrooge becomes aware of his own poverty in relation to benevolence and kindness towards those who are less fortunate than him
Dickens highlights the importance of charity and benevolence but he also illustrates how the poor are not provided with the resources to help themselves and instead is reliant on the charity of others
what is dicken's intention w/ transformation + redemption in a christmas carol
Through the character of Scrooge, Dickens conveys a universal message that everyone is capable of change
Dickens conveys the message that everyone has the ability to show compassion and kindness to others, regardless of their social position
poverty in a christmas carol
examples of poverty and suffering demonstrates the contrasts between the rich and poor:
Their appearance is contrasted with scenes of abundance = Dickens alludes to the idea that there is enough for everyone IF it is shared equally
The Cratchits’ dwelling is small and humble
Dickens uses Ignorance and Want as an allegory as they are representative of children who are forced to live in terrible conditions:
Dickens subverts the Victorian misconception of the poor as Indolent and ungrateful by presenting the Cratchit family in an extremely positive light:
Bob is presented as a devoted father and loving husband which is in sharp contrast to Scrooge
The Cratchit family is presented as Industrious:
The Cratchit family conveys an impression of Christmas as a time of generosity and goodwill and despite the fact that the family struggles financially, they are deeply appreciative of what they have
they are a reminder of the humanity of the lower classes:
Despite Scrooge’s cruelty towards Bob and his wife’s anger towards Scrooge, the family still display their compassion in raising a toast to Scrooge
Dickens makes poverty a serious concern = demonstrates how it can destroy lives:
Images of disease and illness are depicted among the poor due to their lack of food and dreadful living conditions
Through the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Dickens depicts the devastating consequences of a system in which Tiny Tim could potentially die:
Bob’s insufficient wages mean that he cannot provide adequate care for his son
Dickens highlights the importance of charity and benevolence but also how the poor are not provided with the resources to help themselves and instead is reliant on the charity of others:
By being a better employer, Scrooge could help to make the Cratchit family have a better life
Although the charity collectors represent goodness at Christmas, it could be suggested the poor should be helped at all times of the year
The plight of the poor is highlighted through Bob’s character;
Bob works in a “dismal little cell” = a gloomy confinement from which he cannot escape, which could be viewed as a wider symbol of his poverty
Bob is in constant fear of losing his job and he is symbolic of the lower classes and their dependence on their employer
Scrooge is depicted as a miser who refuses to make a charitable donation to help those less fortunate than himself:
Scrooge reveals his ignorance of the poor as he makes no distinction between the lower classes and criminals, declaring: “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”
Scrooge’s support for prisons and workhouses illustrates his flawed views on how to solve the issues of poverty
Scrooge demonstrates a change of heart:
Scrooge’s first stage in his changed attitude when he regrets not having given money to a carol singer: “I should like to have given him something, that’s all”
he eventually uses his wealth to improve the lives of others and to make society a better place
what are the main themes in a christmas carol
poverty
family + relationships
transformation + redemption
death + loss
summarise stave 5
Scrooge is elated as he realises he has been given the chance of redemption
Upon finding out it is Christmas Day, he orders an enormous turkey and sends it to the Cratchits’ house
He dresses in all of his fineries and walks amongst the streets, acknowledging everyone with a smile and a Christmas wish
He sees the gentleman who had previously requested a charitable donation from him and gives him a large amount of money
Scrooge visits Fred’s house for Christmas dinner and he has a joyous evening
The next morning, Scrooge returns to his counting-house and offers to raise Bob’s salary and to help his struggling family
Scrooge changes his ways and becomes a "second father" to Tiny Tim, who does not die
The novella ends with Tiny Tim’s expression for God to bless everyone.
summarise stave 4
Scrooge is confronted by another spirit: the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Despite some trepidation, Scrooge agrees to follow the spirit
The spirit shows Scrooge various scenes related to the death of an unnamed man:
He hears city merchants conversing, unpleasantly, about the man
He witnesses the man’s belongings being sent to a Rag-and-bone shop
He sees the corpse of the man lying on a bed under a sheet
Scrooge demands that the spirit show him someone who has feelings about the man’s death
They journey to a house where a couple is rejoicing about the man’s death, as they owed him a debt
Scrooge demands that the spirit shows him an example of people displaying sensitivity towards someone else’s death
He is taken to the Cratchit’s house, who are grieving the death of Tiny Tim
Scrooge demands to know the identity of the dead man and is taken to a graveyard, where he sees a tomb with his name written upon it
Scrooge pleads with the spirit for an opportunity to change his future but the spirit vanishes
summarise stave 3
Scrooge awakens, the clock chimes and a voice beckons him into the next room
He is confronted by another spirit in a green robe: it is the Ghost of Christmas Present
The spirit brings Scrooge into the London streets and to the house of Bob Cratchit, where Bob’s wife and several of their children are preparing Christmas dinner
Bob arrives with their youngest son, Tiny Tim, who is evidently in poor health
Perturbed by Tiny Tim’s appearance, Scrooge inquires if the boy will live
The spirit responds that Tiny Tim will die if nothing occurs to alter his future
Upon Bob’s insistence, the rest of the family reluctantly drinks a toast to Scrooge
The spirit brings Scrooge to numerous places where people are revelling in the festive season
They arrive at Fred’s house where the guests are playing a game and they raise a toast to Scrooge
Scrooge and the spirit depart and visit other homes, hospitals and jails
As Scrooge observes the spirit beginning to age, two starving children emerge from under its cloak
When the clock strikes midnight, the spirit disappears and a solemn figure moves toward him
summarise stave 2
Scrooge awakens in the darkness and a clock chimes
A spirit appears (the Ghost of Christmas Past) described as a strange childlike phantom with a brightly glowing head
The spirit takes Scrooge’s hand and they fly through the air
The spirit shows several visions from Scrooge’s past:
His school days as a child
His going home for Christmas with his sister, Fan
His apprenticeship with an employer called Fezziwig
His engagement to a young woman called Belle
Scrooge becomes distraught by the visions and implores the spirit to take him home
The spirit brings Scrooge to Belle’s home where her husband informs her that Marley is dying and Scrooge will be alone in the world
Incensed by these visions, Scrooge attempts to extinguish the spirit’s light but fails
He returns to his bed and falls into a deep sleep
summarise stave 1
The opening lines declare that a man called Jacob Marley is dead
Marley had been a former business partner and only friend of Ebenezer Scrooge
The scene shifts to Scrooge in his counting house on Christmas Eve
Scrooge refuses to spend money to sufficiently heat the building and his clerk, Bob Cratchit, shivers in an adjacent room
Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, arrives and invites his uncle to Christmas dinner but the invitation is declined
Disappointed, Fred departs and two gentlemen arrive seeking a contribution to their charity
Scrooge refuses and declares that the poor can seek shelter in the workhouse or prison
Later that evening, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley
Marley informs Scrooge that he has been condemned to wander the Earth, weighed down by heavy chains, due to his selfish deeds
He warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits over the next three nights
Marley disappears into the night and Scrooge falls into a deep sleep
describe bob cratchit
introduced in Stave I, remains silent + simply referred to as “the clerk”:
omitting Bob’s name/ referring to him by his occupation, Dickens conveys Scrooge’s myopic perception of Bob in terms of labour, rather than as a human being
Bob’s silence also signifies his irrelevance/ insignificance as a lower-class person in the eyes of the wealthier classes such as Scrooge
Scrooge’s ruthlessness towards Bob is used to underscore Scrooge’s cruel and exploitative behaviour:
Bob works in a “dismal little cell” suggesting a gloomy confinement = he cannot escape, = could be viewed as a wider symbol of his poverty
too fearful to ask Scrooge for more coal to replenish his fire and instead tries “to warm himself at the candle”, which highlights the dreadful conditions that employers could make employees accept
In Stave II, presented as a devoted father and husband:
carries “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder”
Scrooge’s character is first depicted in his place of work; whereas Bob’s character is depicted in the intimate setting of his home:
This symbolises what each character views as most important to them: Scrooge values money, while Bob values family
Despite being treated cruelly by his employer, Bob proposes a toast to Scrooge and encourages his reluctant family to do so as well:
= demonstrates Bob’s kind-spirited and forgiving nature and he is presented as a virtuous and righteous character
Dickens's depiction of Bob invokes sympathy from the reader
Bob is symbolic of the lower classes and their dependence on their employer:
This symbolises the power of the higher classes over the poor
As a character, Bob remains unchanged throughout the novella
He remains compassionate, generous and forgiving
family + relationships in a christmas carol
Marley and Scrooge’s relationship established from the beginning:
Although Dickens states they were partners for “many years” relationship is presented as one merely associated with business, rather than an affectionate friendship
Scrooge is Marley's residuary legatee (person who receives the deceased's wealth) yet goes for “undoubted bargain”, which illustrates his parsimonious + unsentimental nature- would never spend money that would affect his businesses' earnings
Scrooge’s lack of emotion makes the reader initially view him as callous and hard-hearted
Scrooge’s initial character is revealed through his relationship (or lack of):
Is entirely isolated and ostracised from society “Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say... My dear Scrooge, how are you?”
[in victorian england, every1 was warm/friendly thus greeting each other was apart of the culture] = this shows the extent
Scrooge’s isolation from society enables him to remain ignorant of the plight of the poor and the social problems which surround him
Scrooge displays an aloofness and hostility towards him and refuses to celebrate Christmas w/ Fred, Scrooge’s only nephew:
Fred is the antithesis to Scrooge in both spirit and appearance, yet despite his uncle’s disdain for him, he remains loyal, charitable + sympathetic towards Scrooge "im sorry w/ all my heart to find you so resolute"
Dickens uses the character of Fred to make Scrooge’s miserly and pessimistic behaviour appear even worse
[by the end] Scrooge reconnects with his family through Fred + establishes a ‘new’ family through the Cratchits
Scrooge + belle's engagement:
She represents the contented life that Scrooge could have had and underscores the corrosive consequences of being driven by greed 'replaced [her]' with a 'golden idol' = leads to isolation
Bob is presented as the ideal family figure:
devoted father/husband who is loved and respected by his family in unity:
Through Bob, Dickens underscores his message about the importance of family
continually shown to be loving and affectionate towards children: “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder”
Bob’s change in character due to Tiny Tim’s predicted death demonstrates his affection for his son and shows how the loss of a loved one can impact someone’s life
'cant afford to make idle people merry'
reinforces the stereotype that the poor are lazyand are the cause of their own poverty
which was the belief held through the new poor laws during the victorian england
'can't afford' shows his unwillingness to support the needy and desperate even though he clearly has sufficient funds
describe the ghost of christmas present
introduced in Stave III and is referred to as a “jolly Giant”
described in positive terms: “its genial face, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour”:
could be viewed as the personification of the Christmas spirit in that it represents everything that is positive about Christmas
antithesis to scrooge's description in stave 1 “a covetous, old sinner!”
The spirit “bore a glowing torch” which is in the shape of the Horn of Plenty
Taken from Greek and Roman mythology, the Horn of Plenty is associated with harvest time and an abundance of food
The motif of light is used to represent the joy surrounding Christmas
The spirit does not refer to Scrooge by his name, but instead by the word “man”:
This suggests that the spirit’s message is not just directed toward Scrooge but to all of mankind
The spirit highlights the importance of Christmas spirit by taking Scrooge to numerous places where people are revelling in the festive season:
The ghost builds on the concept of change by showing Scrooge the Cratchit household
The spirit is a mouthpiece for Dickens’s views on poverty and social injustice which was evident in Victorian England
Through the spirit, Dickens highlights the selfishness of the rich and their heartlessness towards the plight of the poor
Two starving children emerge from under the spirit’s cloak called Ignorance and Want:
Dickens uses Ignorance and Want as a symbol of society’s cruelty as they are subjected to torment and distress
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