christmas carol key quotes and analysis

These cover themes like wealth, poverty, Christmas, and kindness. I am as giddy as a drunken man. Scrooge has been transformed - just as his room has been transformed by the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas present - and wants to learn. Christmas is now a time for family, friends and feeling good. Scrooge's assertion that 'it is not my business' is challenged quickly by Marley's ghost whose view is that 'mankind' should have been his 'business. A merry Christmas to everybody! Themes= family/time/poverty. The Cratchits are generous and loving in very difficult circumstances. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. Accessed 4 March 2023. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop He spreads joy over all like a force of nature. Compare the different settings in "Grape Sherbet" Describe each setting using details from the poem. Studying Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'? He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.'. ', 'secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. Glorious! Copyright2007 - 2023 Revision World Networks Ltd. It acts as a mirror for Scrooges wealth and position but also as a stark contrast in approach. Stave 2 - Belle breaks off the engagement A happy New Year to all the world! Dr Aidan, PhD, brings you the second video. It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. ', Where the portly gentlemen explain to Scrooge about the plight of the poor and the responsibility of the rich to deal with it, In Stave 5, Scrooge begins to redeem himself for all the terrible things he did in the past, Victorian society was still extremely religious at this point and they believed strongly in the impact of sin upon the treatment of one in the afterlife, The way that Scrooge worships money would have been considered as sinful at the time as it is in a way idolising something that is not the holy lord, Stave 5: 'that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge', Stave 1: 'A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping clutching, covetous old sinner! I am not the man I was', When Scrooge sees the name on the gravestone, he realises that time for change is limited, The ghost of Christmas past shows Scrooge some memories that may have been lost to time, Stave 2: 'each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long forgotten', Stave 4: 'Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only? "If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.". We see when Scrooge is presented with the poor children (Want and Ignorance) how instinctively and perhaps despite his character that he is compelled to want to help. When it was made you were another man. Whatever the genre. I can't afford to make idle people merry. He always did.". He listens for the church bell but when it comes, it strikes twelve. Scrooge awakes and finds his room as dark as when he fell asleep at two o'clock. "the phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached", A description of the ghost of Christmas future; he is the darkest of the spirits, a reminder to scrooge of his terrible fate if he fails to learn his lesson. This shows scrooges lack of empathy for the poor people around christmas time not regarding their life or family, this is used to show a change later on in the book with him not donating to the 2 gentleman at the start but him donating to them at the end of the play- Scrooge to the two gentleman, Marley during his life was a harsh businessman similar to scrooge and he was also very uptight not giving money to charity or other good causes. Ideas about purgatory and hell would have been recognisable to the mainly Christian readership at the time - and would have made the allegory more frightening. Are there no prisons?'' Refine any search. This use of listing to describe everything as 'good' helps to demonstrate the far reaching consequences of Scrooge's redemption. If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. Who suffers by his ill whims? "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." This brightly\underline{\text{brightly}}brightly lit room will be perfect for my art studio. International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom, 2023 Book Analysis. The two children Ignorance and Want represents the attitudes of the rich to the poor in Victorian society. This quote is trying to say that Marley should've cared more about the people rather than his business - Marley, This opposes to the way that he conveyed his feelings to everyone at the start of the novel this shows his change and how he improved by the end, Therefore I am about to raise your salary, This shows a strong change in scrooges character as at the start of the novel with the 2 gentleman he was not willing to donate any money to them and now he is raising Bob Cratchits salary, This shows Tiny Tim's appreciation of Scrooge even when his mother doesnt think that scrooge deserves the praise, Another idol has displaced me a golden one. For each of the following sentences, identify the subject of the verb in parentheses. Bovey, Lee-James "A Christmas Carol Quotes " Book Analysis, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/quotes/. These cover themes like wealth, poverty, Christmas, and kindness. Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. A Christmas Carol (Key Answers) Chapter 1 1. A Christmas Carol: Key Moments Being such a short story there is very little that is extraneous. Fan is portrayed with affection - and her term of endearment shows that Scrooge has known affection. Dickens, therefore, is attacking the Malthusian capitalist theories. The opening line says, ''Marley was dead: to begin with. Stave one About Scrooge: "As solitary as an oyster." "External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge." "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." "Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it." The use of light throughout the novel suggests the truth/ the right path which Scrooge at first does not want to see. In many ways, it is the child who can most tug on Scrooges heartstrings. These compare with the bells at the start of the novel, signifying the hellish arrival of Marley's ghost. It has harsh imagery and the symbolism of cold, shows he is lacking Christmas spirit. Fezziwigs character is an understated part of the story of A Christmas Carol. A merry Christmas to you.". Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror he viewed them with a detestation and disgust. People can change, but Scrooge has thus far been content with his situation. Stave 1 - why the portly gentlemen are collecting for the poor The innocence of the 'angel' and the 'schoolboy' contrast with the hellish image of Marley's ghost, showing the reader that he will be saved. Dickens was familiar with the terrible working conditions of the poor and campaigned for education of children. The Spirit pointed from the grave to him, and back again. Arguably, this is the most famous quote from A Christmas Carol. The portly gentlemen are also instrumental in delivering Dickens' message. You are changed. Tiny Tim is frequently referred to in Christian terms - as though his true goodness is close to God. The dying fire at the beginning of the novel symbolizes Scrooges lack of either. Dickens uses these characters to challenge popular preconceptions that the wealthy had about the poor - preconceptions which led to support for the poor law and the workhouses. Total Abstinence Principle more hilarious punning from Dickens. Oh, no, no! The finger was still there. Setting can help create an atmosphere or mood in a literary work. 2. No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. Dickens considers ignorance the worst, because it leads to want. The Christmas Spirit I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time the only time when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers. A description of the ghost of Christmas present. The metaphor shows that the school didn't help any student achieve their dreams, instead it destroyed their lives as they could not fulfil their potential. He doesn't believe it, but when he goes to the window, the street is deserted and dark as nighttime. 'The Ghosts' in A Christmas Carol (Key Quotes & Analysis) Dr Aidan 22.1K subscribers Subscribe 47K views 3 years ago Studying A Christmas Carol? The metaphor shows he is rigid in his unfeeling behaviour to others. It was a worthy place. Draw one line under each main verb and two lines under each auxiliary verb. This is clearly not possible. Hallo there! The last line of A Christmas Carol is God bless us, everyone. Its spoken by the well-loved character Tiny Tim. There is a very real suggestion that Scrooge knows that the people are describing him. Themes= Christmas/greed and generosity/family. Dickens' use of the word 'good' repetitively to demonstrate the juxtaposition between Scrooge at the beginning of the novel, where Dickens describes Scrooge as a 'covetous old sinner'. "I am light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. ), phrases like holding a candle for someone mean to remember them, while candles are used in c. Scrooge finishes the stave by putting out the candle, which shows him symbolically putting down his past leaving behind the resentment he has harboured at having lost his childhood to neglect. Then there are some of the settings contained in A Christmas Carol. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell! I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse! Past: "The curtains of his bed were drawn aside, I tell you, When the Ghost of Christmas Past arrives, the curtains of his bed were drawn aside by a hand. Here, it is clear that it is the ghost who makes the move the ghost actively. the strength of Scrooge's dismay about hearing his own words repeated back to him is reinforced through the use of the nouns, penitence and grief. They are mans. Summary. The Fezziwigs throw a party and treat everyone the same - no matter their status. Hangman - Try to complete the word by picking the correct letters. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. Scrooge is presented as a miserly character - his money does not even bring him any happiness. Stave 4 - About Scrooge's grave: It is really in this Stave that Dickens brings to life the Christmas that we all know and love today: the food, the presents, the games, the snow, and good feeling, the parties and generosity. Spirit! he cried, tight clutching at his robe, hear me! The simile has connotations of stillness and endings. By the time he reaches the third ghost The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come he orders the ghost, using the imperative phrase Lead on! He is in control now, and wants the change desperately enough to be forceful about it. Bovey, Lee-James "A Christmas Carol Themes and Analysis " Book Analysis, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/themes-and-analysis/. Here are some of the best 'A Christmas Carol' Scrooge quotes for this holiday season that will melt your heart. This is evident in his early relationship with his nephew Fred. Home Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Best Quotes. 'He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. Stave 1 - Scrooge's view of the plight of the poor The ghost of Christmas presents it sitting on a throne of food. Everyone is entitled to be a little happier on Christmas, and the Ghost of Christmas Present helps them to be so. Analysis. The repetitive structure and short exclamations create the sense that he cannot put into words how happy he is. Repetition of 'chuckle' emphasises Scrooge's newfound delight in giving. "I wish you could have gone. Stave 3 - Scrooge's willingness to learn So we have tried where possible to focus on the most vital sections of the novella. Dickens was openly opposed to this view and challenges it throughout the novella. Scrooge's sympathy for himself leads to sympathy for the carol singer from the night before. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. It would have done you good to see how green a place it is.". The adjective 'brave' suggests that the Cratchit's approach to life is noble and admirable - but not easy. The chains are a metaphor for his punishment for his greedy life. Whoop! Ghost stories were very popular during the Victorian era. He must have slept through a whole day and half a night. Themes= time/Christmas/generosity and forgiveness. The word 'business' reflects Scrooge's earlier response to the portly gentlemen. Mrs Cratchit, although poor, represents the family's will to make the best of things - to celebrate in spite of their poverty. The noun unanimity suggests that he is happy to be involved. Foul weather didnt know where to have him. The boy is ignorace - the lack of education and the girl is want - the lack of money. A Christmas Carol is a well-loved and commonly read novel that focuses on themes of Christmas and poverty. Stave 3 - Christmas at Fred's Bob describes his crippled son. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir. Of Mice and Men Section Overview . Why show me this, if I am past all hope! For the first time, the hand appeared to shake. * The use of pathetic fallacy shows that he is in direct opposition to anyone who tries to help him. Accessed 4 March 2023. Scrooge realises that his love with money is the reason he pushed everyone away. Belle to Scrooge: "Another idol has displaced me a golden one.". Draw an arrow from each underlined word to the word it modifies. The idea that they shake hands with each person 'individually' shows the humanity with which they treat everyone - they do not see the poor as 'creatures' I can't afford to make idle people merry.". The description of the figure who is both like a child and like an old man, is suggestive of the journey that the ghost takes him on. With the title of the book being A Christmas Carol you would expect Christmas to feature prominently throughout the novel. There is no doubt . cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. Fred, as Scrooge's foil, is a kind, forgiving character who is determined to give Scrooge the same chance every year. Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas/poverty. What is interesting is that a lot of the traditions that Dickens writes about werent quite so commonplace before his novella. Below one can explore the themes, symbols, and more that appear throughout the novel. At this point, Scrooges character has become fairly well established but the reason that this particular meeting is of such importance is that it highlights Scrooges outlook towards the poor as well as provides his comments about how the poor should be treated. ", cynical- "what's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money", Isolated- "secret and self-contained, and solitary like an oyster. Im sure you will all e familiar with the one percent statistic. Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with key quotes and analysis relating to the theme of 'Christmas'. The clerks sprinting home juxtaposes Scrooge's dinner in a melancholy tavern. "His eyes sparkled and his breath smocked.". Jacob Marleys demise is possibly part of what shaped Scrooge into the person that he is. However, the verb 'profit' still has a hint of selfishness - as well as an implication of individual, even material, gain. Family Theme Analysis. The hellish atmosphere is emphasised by the fact that the ghost's clothing and hair appears to move as though in an updraft of heat, suggesting that the ghost is in hell. And perhaps its because we know the story so well, or maybe because it is pretty obvious, most readers will probably understand that they are in fact commenting on Scrooge. So while he did not invent these particular traditions many people credit him with popularizing them. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. Without the ghost of Christmas future, Scrooge wouldve been unlikely to change. That being said the fact that Marley is suffering damnation suggests that he too led a similar path to Scrooge. Xmas Present - This makes scrooge realise that he needs to change or Tiny Tim will die young which is the one of the first stages of scrooges change. Stave 2 - the spirit takes him to past Christmases including seeing Scrooge alone at school. Though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late One interesting feature of this stave relates to the fact that two people die in it: Scrooge and Tiny Tim: the richest and the poorest people in the book. Y. A Christmas Carol Key Quotes Major Themes Major characters How to revise effectively Isolation and loneliness Ebenezer Scrooge One mistake people often make is to try to revise EVERYTHING. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop This is the image of rich men who are shown to ridicule Scrooge after his death.The rich are presented as unfeeling and callous- their physical ugliness reflects the lack of generosity in their spirits. The tremors of the great San Francisco earthquake that occurred in 1906 (was, were) estimated to have measured 8.3 on the Richter scale. His house is dark - which reflects the darkness in his character and also adds to the gothic atmosphere of his house. ``My little child!''. This is to illustrate to the rich that they can be part of the solution, Dickens was of the belief that things in society could change and this was something he wished to portray to people to ensure they didn't lose hope, Stave 2: 'I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now', Stave 4: 'Fear you more than any other spectre I have seen. "Quite alone in the world, I do believe.". Themes= greed and generosity/time. Scrooge has undergone a metamorphoses - he has literally been reborn as a new man. His description of the setting suggests that poverty has bred crime and deep unhappiness. A Christmas Carol (Key Quotes) 'Mankind is my business' - Marley (Should be Scrooges and everyone elses too) 'I will honour Christmas in my heart and, and try to keepit all the year' - Scrooge (Willing to change, become better person) . Towards the end of the book, Scrooge has clearly learnt that fact and decides to spend his remaining days sharing his time, his wealth, and enjoying the fruits of his fellow men. I am as giddy as a drunken man. "The noisy little Cratchit's were as still as status". A happy New Year to all the world. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop however, her reference to their father suggests that he had not been kind in the past, thus reinforcing our sympathy. And I know I know my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child, we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it. Stave 3 - Scrooge asks if Tiny Tim will live, having been moved by his goodness. However, this in itself would probably not have been enough to alter his ways. Gives the impression of a festive being, full of Christmas spirit. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. The ribbon for the bookmark should be seven (inches, in) long. "Are there no prisons?" Themes= poverty/family/greed and generosity. "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. Fezziwig's office has a large fire which adds to the welcoming atmosphere, offering the reader an additional opportunity to compare it to Scrooge's cold office with the meagre fire. Use if fairy tale convention, shows the story will have a magical ending. My little, little child!'' This compares directly with the explicit description of Scrooge at the start of the novel where even beggars will not speak to him. Of course, the fact that this is obvious does not detract from the big reveal due to the way that Dickens masterfully creates tension. To Kill a Mockingbird -Analysis of Major Characters. ', 'I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

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