christmas carol key quotes and analysis

Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop Scrooge is not unfortunate in the way of relatives - he has a family awaiting his . Here, Scrooge is talking about Fezziwig and how he uses his wealth to lift others up. Stave 1 - Scrooge's rponse to being asked to give money to charity, "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.". "[He called out in a] comfortable,oily, rich. Scrooges offences carry their own punishments. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir. Dickens uses Scrooge to show the extent of change that is possible in a small amount of time. All rights reserved. With the title of the book being A Christmas Carol you would expect Christmas to feature prominently throughout the novel. Such as the graveyard at the end. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. Thus Dickens is ending with the message that we can all change our selfish ways and be a positive influence. Bob Crachit and the Cratchit Family Quotes, A Christmas Carol- The Ghost of Christmas Pre, 'An Inspector Calls' Key Quotations Analysis, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, Grade 7, myPerspectives: Grade 10, Volume 2 California Edition, myPerspectives, English Language Arts, Grade 8, California My Perspectives English Language Arts, Grade 9, Volume Two. 'The Ghosts' in A Christmas Carol (Key Quotes & Analysis) Dr Aidan 22.1K subscribers Subscribe 47K views 3 years ago Studying A Christmas Carol? I am as giddy as a drunken man., Scrooge was better than his word. in Its progressive form. Of Mice and Men Section Overview . His house is dark - which reflects the darkness in his character and also adds to the gothic atmosphere of his house. Whatever the book. Ignorance could represent the wealthy upper classes who are ignorant of what they must do to help. I am as giddy as a drunken man. Gone are the puritanical values that banned Christmas, and, also, to a large degree, gone as well are the memories of Christmas as a serious and religious celebration of the birth of Christ. It has harsh imagery and the symbolism of cold, shows he is lacking Christmas spirit. The reader does not know that Tim has died, so Dickens foreshadows his death through the use of the simile. 'No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. Shows Bob's place of work, and shows scrooges harsh treatment on him. They are mans. The Ghost of Christmas Past is an interesting vision it changes shape and size, it has many arms and then a few, it seems distant and close, old and young in fact it seems riddled with contradictory images. Ghost of Christmas Present, Stave 3, he warns that if Scrooge doesn't change himself that "doom" will be in his future. That being said the fact that Marley is suffering damnation suggests that he too led a similar path to Scrooge. Click the card to flip Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by AIC-CREATOR-TD Terms in this set (36) Perfect for those studying the book at school (particularly GCSE students) or simply those wanting to learn more about it.For more in Dr Aidan's 'A Christmas Carol' series:The 10 Most Important Quotes in A Christmas Carol - https://youtu.be/8wpegV4ueYYPicture credits: Grim Reaper: openclipart.comCornucopia: openclipart.com The image of the 'lonely boy near a feeble fire' reflects very closely the older Scrooge we have seen, alone eating gruel. patience and hope fro them. Description of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2, the holly symbolises Christmas. God save you! ". The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs. No, Spirit! Stave 5 - The response of the portly gentleman to the money Scrooge wants to give him: Scrooge was better than his word. What I think is really clever is that the story is framed so that when we see the ghost of Christmas past, seeing the things that shaped Scrooge into the man he is at the beginning of the play starts to let us feel sympathy for him so that when he is offered a second chance as a reader, we are glad he gets to redeem himself. "Cherry cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears.". No Way- he tells them that the poor should go and die then there would be less people in the world. Scrooge's grave, by comparison to Tiny Tim's is 'overrun by weeds'. Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes a effort with scrooge. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. Watching Scrooge forge his own invisible chain served as part of Marley's punishment for his deeds in life. "Crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light." Description of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Stave 2, this ghost is much less scary than Marley which symbolises the innocence of childhood. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy., Scrooge says to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart., Two Business Colleagues: Its likely to be a very cheap funeral, said the same speaker; for upon my life I dont know of anybody to go to it., Scrooge to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: I see, I see. Tiny Tim's comment is generous in spirit, seeing his disability positively as it will remind others of the true meaning of Christmas by allowing them to think of Jesus on Christmas day. A solitary child, neglected by his friends is left there still - Scrooge sobbed, This shows scrooges lack of companionship and support even since a child this could show why scrooge became so money obsessed, I have always thought of Christmas a good time. Losing a business partner around Christmas time could not have been easy. Themes= family/greed and generosity/ time. Stave 3 - Scrooge's willingness to learn Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents. However, inside that shell - like Scrooge - the oyster is soft and vulnerable. Marleys ghost is the one that kicks everything off but also acts as a mirror to Scrooge to show him the error of his ways. These include Scrooge's cold nature, the power of wealth, and loss. The simile shows Bobs wealth in his family; he values them more than money and so is content with their love. Christmas is now a time for family, friends and feeling good. Himself. What is interesting is that a lot of the traditions that Dickens writes about werent quite so commonplace before his novella. If he had been, he'd have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with Death, instead of lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself.'. Here are some of the best 'A Christmas Carol' Scrooge quotes for this holiday season that will melt your heart. phrase on the line at the right. The ghost of christmas present is showing the two children that hide in his cloak and he says that the problems these children portray are the problems of mankind. Partially because of the nature of its main character. Dickens uses the scene to allow the reader to feel sorry for the child 'Scrooge' whose loneliness was not by choice - although the adult Scrooge's is. 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! The problem is internal, within Scrooges heart. Glorious!'. Stave 3 - description of Mrs Cratchit Scrooge, showing that through the visits of the different ghosts he began to change more and more, as in stave two his "lip was trembling", but now he is having "a violent fit of trembling". 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' "It was a large house but one of broken fortunes.". However, how the poor were treated was far more extreme in Victorian England. Belle to Scrooge: "Another idol has displaced me a golden one.". Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late God bless us!, At the time people rid themselves of any guilt by blaming the poor for the fact they were poor. The repetition of the adjective 'good' reinforces this idea. A merry Christmas to everybody! Fred, as Scrooge's foil, is a kind, forgiving character who is determined to give Scrooge the same chance every year. All rights reserved. A Christmas Carol Key Quotes and Analysis. Copyright2007 - 2023 Revision World Networks Ltd. () A famous geographer Thomas Malthus came up with the theory that the poor were just surplus population and thus should be left to their own devices - even if this meant letting them die. For characters like Fred and Bob Cratchit, Christmas represents the Christian ideal of goodness and moral prosperity, but Scrooge is at his most miserly when Christmas is mentioned. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. A Christmas Carol is rarely classified as a gothic novel. Of course, the suggestion that people might be talking about him is beastly to Scrooge. Stave 2 - Belle's husband tells Belle about seeing Scrooge. He begins with no compassion for others but eventually learns a better way to live. To Kill a Mockingbird -Analysis of Major Characters. Themes= family/poverty/greed and generosity. Stave 1 - description of Marley's ghost 'He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. Stave 4 - About Scrooge's grave: "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge. The opening line says, ''Marley was dead: to begin with. The use of nature with a type of plant typically seen around christmas time makes scrooges comment even more menacing saying that they should kill him with the very thing that is giving him happiness in that certain period.- Scrooge If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. A Christmas Carol: Key Moments Being such a short story there is very little that is extraneous. Being such a short story there is very little that is extraneous. Scrooge's sympathy for himself leads to sympathy for the carol singer from the night before. He has learned his lesson and been transformed from darkness into light - which is reflected in the world around him. Tiny Tim is frequently referred to in Christian terms - as though his true goodness is close to God. Stave 1 - Scrooge's view of the plight of the poor You could make a strong argument for this being a tale of redemption. There is no magic formula to revision but this three-point Fire symbolizes emotion and warmth. External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. ``My little child!''. As a result of this he was damned to walk as a ghost chained with money boxes surrounding him. The two children are the personification of man's ills - ignorance and want. How does the speaker begin and end "Incident"? The Ghost of Christmas yet to come is symbolic. "He hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple and it might be pleasant for them to remember on Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.". Accessed 4 March 2023. Workhouses were a terrible place and menial and dangerous jobs such as sweeping chimneys still existed. The Fezziwigs throw a party and treat everyone the same - no matter their status. The multiple similes emphasise Scrooge's joy and elation at his second chance. In the first stave of A Christmas Carol, the following quote is really important in characterizing Scrooge:. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/themes-and-analysis/. 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. "Its genial face, its sparking eye, its open hand. Bovey, Lee-James "A Christmas Carol Quotes " Book Analysis, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/quotes/. ". 'A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire'. () At the time, Camden town would have been a crowded suburb. For each of the following sentences, identify the subject of the verb in parentheses. The key theme for Dickens is that money does not lead to happiness, Greed is the single factor that is responsible for the breakup of Scrooge's marriage, 'Another idol has displaced me a golden one', Stave 2: 'The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune', The Cratchit family are used as a depiction of a family in poverty, More than any other time in history there was a huge divide between classes, the lower classes lived in deperate poverty and were in want while the upper classes enjoyed a life of luxury, Stave 1: 'Many thousands are in want of common necessities, sir and many hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts', Scrooge's staff selling off his old goods, Victorian aristocracy were very keen to remain ignorant about the sufferings of the poor. He greets Scrooge with a drink that makes him feel good: the milk of human kindness though one could be forgiven for seeing an alcoholic connection and then takes him on a tour of Christmases around the country. Analysis. This almost prompts a realization in Scrooge as he catches on to the fact that his wealth provides him (and indeed Fezziwig) with the power to make people happy. Scrooges words to the charity collectors as he refuses to give charity. Hallo there! The Total Abstinence Principle was a phrase used for teetotallers (people who refrained from drinking). The onomatopoetic verb 'gasping' makes the reader explicitly imagine the death, suggesting struggle and pain. Summary. This scene is very clever as well because not only does seeing the Fezziwigs party give Scrooges character the chance to see how much power he wields and how that influence could be used but it also offers us the opportunity to see some of the aspects that shaped Scrooge into the person that he was. Exhausted- "i cannot rest,i cannot stay, i cannot linger anywhere.". I am as giddy as a drunken man. Stave 2 - the Fezziwig's party that this creature, who appears to be both young and old, is an image of Jesus who was a baby at Christmas and yet who, as the son of God, represents the divine wisdom that Christians worship. Who suffers? Bitter- "no wind that blew was bitterer than he. This is clearly not possible. It also explains why he becomes hard and sharp like a flint, later on. Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. When he sees Tiny Tim and his jubilance despite his disadvantages, Scrooge cannot help but feel compassion and by association guilt, as he has seen from the effect Fezziwg had on his staff that he could have a similar influence on Tiny Tim. ", 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. 'It was a strange figurelike a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man'. Dickens considers ignorance the worst, because it leads to want. Note the use of the adjective poor to describe Bob Cratchit. Themes= greed and generosity/ time. Theme= poverty/greed and generosity. There is a very real suggestion that Scrooge knows that the people are describing him. The Victorian's would have seen this as fitting. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. You must cook those fresh eggs for that kind of special salad. A Christmas Carol - Quotes and Analysis Stave 1 Stave 2 Stave 3 Stave 4 Stave 5 ( ) The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner. The simile has a snake like connotations, Marley is a symbol of evil. Glorious! the adjective idle reveals scrooge believes the poor are lazy and are to be blamed for their own situation. Her gown is poor but she is 'brave in ribbons'. So while he did not invent these particular traditions many people credit him with popularizing them. 1. In what ways did Louis XV differ from Louis XIV? The clerks sprinting home juxtaposes Scrooge's dinner in a melancholy tavern. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Stave 3 - Tiny Tim A description of scrooge as a young boy, he was left alone at school as others enjoyed their holidays. The metaphor shows the are poor but make the best of a bad situation, always smiling and showing they are grateful for what little they have. If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. Seven Years 3. 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. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop So, therefore, we should take responsibility for being a positive influence. cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. Key quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. "The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune.". For example, the first ghost is a metaphor for how memories and the past shape ones experience, while the last ghost is a metaphor for death and ones legacy. ', 'Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts". International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom, 2023 Book Analysis. Hes comparing Cratchits actual body temperature to Scrooges personality. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell! but stopped at the first syllable', Repeated phrase (Juxtaposition and patterning), Stave 5: 'Hear me! - Scrooge, Is scrooges staple opinion to christmas at the start of stave one, showing off his negative opinions to begin with, this is used to emphasise the change in scrooges character from the beginning to the end. It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. 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'. Stave 1 - Scrooge's response to the gentlemen saying that people would rather die than go to the workhouse. This is fitting because it is traditionally colder at Christmas but also because the cold is an apt metaphor for Scrooges personality. This reminds us of Freds line during the beginning of the book a phrase that Dickens later called The Carol Philosophy: It is only during Christmas that we open our shut up hearts and think of each other as being fellow passengers to the grave and not other beings on some other journey. During this section, Scrooge is reminded that we all die in the end, it is the only sure thing in life, and that all we have to work with is the short time that we have down here. ``Are there no workhouses? ', Stave 1: 'that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. I think this is why the character of Fezziwig exists to show that Scrooge is not representative of all the upper classes. This is a great description, wanders around holding a candle snuffer that looks like a hat. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. My little, little child!'' Stave 2 - Belle breaks off the engagement. Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words and was overcome with penitence and grief. Stave 5 - Scrooge's reaction to discovering it is not too late A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Version 1 December 2016 . I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Timshall weor this first parting that there was among us? The tone is impatient as he does so. There is no doubt . A description of the school house that Scrooge was left in as a child, by his family. ', 'secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. Whatever the genre. He carried his own low temperature always about with him', 'No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him', 'It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal', 'Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. We are reminded of the contrast between the rendered status. This went against what Victorians considered to be a 'good death' where you die surrounded by friends and family and then are mourned afterwards. ', 'He was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked', Christmas is a time when people 'Think of the people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. Foul weather didnt know where to have him. Here, we get the image of a country that is united during this time of year; a place where Christmas and Britishness are inextricably linked, which would have been incredibly popular for a Victorian audience who were in the throws of empire building. scientist; is. The spirit of Christmas is personified in his open heart, open hand, and outstretched arm. Hallo!" Click the card to flip Definition 1 / 5 This compounds our sympathy for the Cratchit's as Tim was a symbol of innocence. Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with key quotes and analysis relating to the theme of 'Christmas'. Stave 4 - in the rag 'n' bone man's shop 'A Christmas Carol' is a widely studied book filled with memorable quotes. But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another and contented with the time. Studying A Christmas Carol? It would have done you good to see how green a place it is., Bob Cratchit about Freds kindness: It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us., About Scrooges grave: overrun by grass and weeds., Scrooge on what he has learnt: I will not shut out the lessons that they teach., Scrooge: The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me., Scrooge: I am as light as a feather, I am a happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. This is one of Freds lines, and it really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle. A Christmas Carol Quotes 50 of the best book quotes from A Christmas Carol 01 Share "God bless us every one!" Charles Dickens author God person A Christmas Carol book Tiny Tim character christmas blessings concepts 02 Share "Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering." Charles Dickens author The gothic was a popular genre in the Victorian age and would have seemed fitting for a ghost story to Victorian readers. Of course, Dickens does use his trademark lengthy descriptions but nearly everything has a point. Scrooge becomes part of two families: Dickens reveals that we are part of not only our blood relatives but also a wider family that of society. ". These compare with the bells at the start of the novel, signifying the hellish arrival of Marley's ghost. Jacob Marleys demise is possibly part of what shaped Scrooge into the person that he is. Mr and Mrs Fezziwig ..'.shaking hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas.'. 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. The fog has lifted and Scrooge can 'see' the truth. The conditional subordinate clause represents Scrooge's future actions. The Cratchits are generous and loving in very difficult circumstances. This brightly\underline{\text{brightly}}brightly lit room will be perfect for my art studio. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didnt thaw it one degree at Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas Present greets Scrooge from on top of a pile of luxurious Christmas fare. Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror he viewed them with a detestation and disgust. In what ways does the text indicate lbn Batutta's social status? Dickens uses him to enable the reader to see that this is unfair, perhaps looking to make his readers reflect on the high mortality rate amongst poor children. The adjective solitary and neglected highlight his feelings of loneliness and isolation, creating sympathy for him. The adjectives: genial show his joy/ cheer, sparkling presents tense- has connotations of light and magic and open emphasises his generosity.Themes= greed and generosity/Christmas. "The noisy little Cratchit's were as still as status". 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.