christmas carol key quotes and analysis
A Christmas Carol: Jacob Marley Quotes | SparkNotes A Christmas Carol: Study Guide | SparkNotes It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. Accessed 4 March 2023. ', 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! With the title of the book being A Christmas Carol you would expect Christmas to feature prominently throughout the novel. GCSE (9-1): Literature: A Christmas Carol: Key Quotes: Key - Quizlet Oh, no, no! The finger was still there. It is too much linked to his miserly ways thus suggesting that the learning is not finished yet. The problem is internal, within Scrooges heart. The 10 Most Important Quotes in A Christmas Carol - YouTube 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. The adjective dismal connotes a lack of light and hopeless atmosphere. Exhausted- "i cannot rest,i cannot stay, i cannot linger anywhere.". Dickens considers ignorance the worst, because it leads to want. The fog has lifted and Scrooge can 'see' the truth. Along with the words, 'sole' and 'solitary' used throughout the novel to suggest that each individual must take responsibility for his own choices - just as Marley is paying for his individual sins. Themes= time/Christmas, "A solitary child, neglected by his friends.". For each of the following sentences, identify the subject of the verb in parentheses. Quotes (A Christmas Carol) - GCSE English Literature Revision ", 'A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. Flint is a type of ground that makes it difficult for life to grow kind of like how scrooges character allows no imaginations to grow. Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. 'Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons'. The repetition of the adjective 'good' reinforces this idea. A Christmas Carol Quotes: The Christmas Spirit | SparkNotes Fire symbolizes emotion and warmth. In this quote, Dickens describes London as a dark and dangerous place. Scrooges words to the charity collectors as he refuses to give charity. Studying Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'? This shows that scrooge is only hurting himself by being so money orientated it doesnt affect his family but does himself. The noun cell has connotations of Bob being imprisoned by scrooge. 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! 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. Shows Bob's place of work, and shows scrooges harsh treatment on him. () *The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. Bovey, Lee-James "A Christmas Carol Quotes " Book Analysis, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/quotes/. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. Fan is portrayed with affection - and her term of endearment shows that Scrooge has known affection. 6 Memorable Quotes from A Christmas Carol | Book Analysis ", 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. "The noisy little Cratchit's were as still as status". The book also explores what you might call the true meaning of Christmas and while this might not be true from a Christian standpoint, from a morality/spiritual view, you could claim that it really does help to make that point. Stave 4 - About Scrooge's grave: Stave 2 - Belle breaks off the engagement The case of this unhappy man might be my own. Themes= time/Christmas/generosity and forgiveness. ', 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. He always did.". 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. 'A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire'. Stave 5 - pathetic fallacy A Christmas Carol (Key Answers) Chapter 1 1. If you watch any of the adaptations of A Christmas Carol Tiny Tim is almost always one of the loveable characters and with good reason. Both have religious connotations and suggest a true depth of despair at his previous notions. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. 'No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. "Business!" These morally repugnant, ugly people are simply treating Scrooge the way he treated others and he is horrified. Marley haunts scrooge- a description of his chains. Stave 1 - description of Marley's ghost As a result of this he was damned to walk as a ghost chained with money boxes surrounding him. Below one can explore the themes, symbols, and more that appear throughout the novel. This quote shows Ebenezer Scrooge's miserly, miserable attitude toward Christmas at the opening of the story; he is obsessed with his money and has no time for festivities, family, or joy. Imagery of warmth has symbolism of generosity, compassion and forgiveness- Fred always makes a effort with scrooge. These compare with the bells at the start of the novel, signifying the hellish arrival of Marley's ghost. 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., Marleys Ghost: Mankind was my business., Marleys Ghost: I am here to-night to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate., There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. Stave 1 - Scrooge's response to the gentlemen saying that people would rather die than go to the workhouse. He has learned his lesson and been transformed from darkness into light - which is reflected in the world around him. They are mans. 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. He is cheerful and oily where scrooge is cold and sharp. It is uncared for just as he was uncared for, gasping out his last alone. The gothic was a popular genre in the Victorian age and would have seemed fitting for a ghost story to Victorian readers. In many ways, it is the child who can most tug on Scrooges heartstrings. Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror he viewed them with a detestation and disgust. 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. Their terrible behaviour is a consequence of the ignorance and want that Dickens personified in stave 3. You could make a strong argument for this being a tale of redemption. There is a very real suggestion that Scrooge knows that the people are describing him. Stave 2 - the spirit takes him to past Christmases including seeing Scrooge alone at school. I am as giddy as a drunken man. Are there no prisons?'' 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. This is where the clerk lives. The verb sparkled has magical and positive connotations, shows Fred is the antithesis of scrooge. Scrooge has undergone a metamorphoses - he has literally been reborn as a new man. In many ways the vision works like memory can do: it changes depending on perspectives or moods. However, inside that shell - like Scrooge - the oyster is soft and vulnerable. I am as giddy as a drunken man. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. ', Stave 5: 'No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold;', Stave 5: '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.'. However, these are two children that he has no control over. Stave 2 - Belle breaks off the engagement. Then, choose the verb form that agrees in number with the subject. A merry Christmas to everybody! This has a double meaning both as a sympathetic term of endearment and also the fact that thanks to Scrooge the man is literally poor. They were a boy and girl. Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/themes-and-analysis/. 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. Th onomatopoeia here makes the bells sound particularly noise -and yet Scrooge sees them as 'glorious' which is suggestive of noises from heaven. Here, Scrooge is talking about Fezziwig and how he uses his wealth to lift others up. Stave 1 - why the portly gentlemen are collecting for the poor The synonyms 'alone' and 'by himself' emphasise again the loneliness of the life he has chosen. Themes= family/greed and generosity/ time. cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. jovial voice.". Oh, glorious, glorious! Dickens though that this was wrong and aimed to change perception, 'Mankind was my business. Key Quotations and analysis A Christmas Carol.docx - A There is no doubt . The onomatopoetic verb 'gasping' makes the reader explicitly imagine the death, suggesting struggle and pain. The simile has a snake like connotations, Marley is a symbol of evil. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir. These cover themes like wealth, poverty, Christmas, and kindness. Dickens also suggests that, through his adoration of a false god, he is no longer a good christian. Scrooge signed it. AQA English Revision - Key Quotes A Christmas Carol: Key Moments Being such a short story there is very little that is extraneous. Dickens creates sympathy for the poor, through the Crachit's and their tight knit family. Fred in A Christmas Carol - Characters - AQA - BBC Bitesize Whatever the genre. 'a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Themes= Christmas/greed and generosity/family. The multiple similes emphasise Scrooge's joy and elation at his second chance. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Summary. 35 Best Ebenezer Scrooge Quotes From 'A Christmas Carol' - Kidadl Does this line support or contradict the speaker's statement in the final stanza, "Nothing really happened"? The ghost is dressed in green reminiscent both of the Green Man from Pagan mythology, and also the traditional character of St Nicholas or Father Christmas, who has more recently come to symbolise the holiday period. Spirit! he cried, tight clutching at his robe, hear me! There is no magic formula to revision but this three-point Whoop! The simile has connotations of stillness and endings. Dickens was familiar with the terrible working conditions of the poor and campaigned for education of children. Dickens was openly opposed to this view and challenges it throughout the novella. 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. People can change, but Scrooge has thus far been content with his situation. 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. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs. Home Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Themes and Analysis. He is described as been so dislike that even the weather is better in that at least it 'comes down' gracefully. The shortness of the main clause at the end makes the message more shocking. Stave 3 - the ghost uses Scrooge's words against him Stave 5 - the bells ring A Christmas Carol - Stave 3 Key Quotes Flashcards | Quizlet Themes= family/poverty/greed and generosity. Oh, glorious. Like an oyster, he keeps himself to himself, hidden beneath a hard shell that he uses to protect himself from the world. These include Scrooge's cold nature, the power of wealth, and loss. Marley tells scrooge he is responsible fro his punishment- he is suffering the consequences for his actions. However, it could also be argued that ignorance reflects the lack of education of the poor. When you analyse poverty in A Christmas Carol, you may want to reference the setting as well as using direct quotes from characters. Describes Fred, who is a symbol of Christmas spirit. * The use of pathetic fallacy shows that he is in direct opposition to anyone who tries to help him. Bob said he didnt believe there ever was such a goose cooked., About Tiny Tim: If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die., Bob Cratchit: Ill give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast., About Ignorance and Want: This boy is Ignorance. Scrooges changing attitude is never better highlighted than in his initial responses to the three ghosts. Tiny Tim is frequently referred to in Christian terms - as though his true goodness is close to God. Instant PDF downloads. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. The description of the children is designed to shock the reader. Such as the graveyard at the end. A happy New Year to all the world! A Christmas Carol - Quotes and Analysis - Coggle said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. A foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. Leading up to this moment it appears as if Scrooge already fears that this is the case, but that does not detract from the tension that Charles Dickens can create here. So, therefore, we should take responsibility for being a positive influence. Stave 4 - the final ghost Belle "Our contract is an old one. Instead, once you know and understand the plot, a great idea is to pick three or four major themes, and three or four major characters, and revise them in great detail. the adjective idle reveals scrooge believes the poor are lazy and are to be blamed for their own situation. So while he did not invent these particular traditions many people credit him with popularizing them. A Christmas Carol Themes and Analysis | Book Analysis They now drag him down in death, and hes forced to wander the earth, unable to undo what he did before. It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another and contented with the time. Key quotes from a Christmas Carol- Stave 2, A Christmas Carol Vocabulary, A Christmas Car, myPerspectives, English Language Arts, Grade 8, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, California (Grade 9, Volume 1), myPerspectives: English Language Arts, Grade 7, myPerspectives: Grade 10, Volume 2 California Edition, A Christmas Carol - quotation analysis-Stave. ', People with lots of money already are more likely to be greedy for more, not thinking about sharing that money with others effectively. Arguably, this is the most famous quote from 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.'. 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. Oh! But it does share a lot of gothic conventions. So we have tried where possible to focus on the most vital sections of the novella. His description of the setting suggests that poverty has bred crime and deep unhappiness. 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 This went against what Victorians considered to be a 'good death' where you die surrounded by friends and family and then are mourned afterwards. All rights reserved. Throughout the book, Dickens makes use of metaphors, personification, imagery, and more. Hallo there! He spreads joy over all like a force of nature. () The famous phrase Humbug really means either shame or hoax. The verb sparkled has magical and positive connotations, shows Fred is the antithesis of scrooge. The verb forged shows skill and effort- Marley spent his whole life's time and effort in his greed so is suffering the consequences.