christmas carol key quotes and analysis

However, inside that shell - like Scrooge - the oyster is soft and vulnerable. '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. This mirrors the Victorian rich's attitude to the poor. This is where the clerk lives. 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. In Victorian times, most of the readers would have been christian and would therefore heap additional judgement on Scrooge who needs to repent. The repetitive structure and short exclamations create the sense that he cannot put into words how happy he is. This again leads back to Dickens' idea of collective responsibility - that everything that we do influences others. forgiving- "to Mr Scrooge, the founder of the feast.". The word 'business' reflects Scrooge's earlier response to the portly gentlemen. A happy New Year to all the world! Oh, glorious! Both have religious connotations and suggest a true depth of despair at his previous notions. Dickens though that this was wrong and aimed to change perception, 'Mankind was my business. Instant PDF downloads. Stave 1 - Marley's ghost is distressed at Scrooge's suggestion that he was a 'good man of business'. The dying fire at the beginning of the novel symbolizes Scrooges lack of either. The adjective monstrous, creates a negative impression of the man, almost evil, and reinforces Dickens message that it was the ignorance of the rich that created many society's problems. Glorious! 'A Christmas Carol' Key Quotations Stave 5 Analysis Term 1 / 5 "I am light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. 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. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Version 1 December 2016 . I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse! 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. However, how the poor were treated was far more extreme in Victorian England. This shows scrooges selfishness and his addiction to money with belle feeling replace with money she feels like she doesnt matter to him and that all he cares about is money. Does this line support or contradict the speaker's statement in the final stanza, "Nothing really happened"? Fire symbolizes emotion and warmth. Although their behaviour is callous and cruel, the italicised personal pronoun he reminds us that scrooge (and the rich) are partly to blame fro the behaviour of the poor. Repetition of 'chuckle' emphasises Scrooge's newfound delight in giving. 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. 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. Dr Aidan, PhD, brings you the second video. Tail has connotations of the devil- reinforcing evil image. He teaches scrooge to learn from his mistakes of his past. Privacy Policy, https://bookanalysis.com/charles-dickens/a-christmas-carol/quotes/. Exhausted- "i cannot rest,i cannot stay, i cannot linger anywhere.". cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash! Marleys chains symbolize the mistakes hes made in life and the greed that controlled him. The adjectives squeezing and wrenching, etc., relate to how one should imagine him with money, refusing to let go of his wealth. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. Seven Years 3. Bitter- "no wind that blew was bitterer than he. Dickens believed in collective responsibility - that the wealthy should take responsibility for helping the poor, specifically through the provision of education and support for children. Stave 4 - Bob's reaction to Tiny Tim's death Summary. Walled in by houses; overrun by grass and weeds. But I have made the trial in homage to Christmas, and. I think this is why the character of Fezziwig exists to show that Scrooge is not representative of all the upper classes. ', 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. The girl is want. The repetition of the word 'little' reinforces to the reader how young and innocent and undeserving of death was Tiny Tim. "Its genial face, its sparking eye, its open hand. His selfish ways have left him this way. The Ghost of Christmas Present greets Scrooge from on top of a pile of luxurious Christmas fare. With key quotes \u0026 analysis, this video provides an ideal format to gain a greater understanding of this novella in a matter of minutes. A description of Fezziwig, a rich merchant t whom Scrooge is apprentice. However, the verb 'profit' still has a hint of selfishness - as well as an implication of individual, even material, gain. "The noisy little Cratchit's were as still as status". 'Long and wound about him like a tail made of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses.'. Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. a squeezing, wrenching . Foul weather didnt know where to have 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. 'It was a strange figurelike a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man'. Contrasting similes emphasise his god like figure- he is at once innocent and knowledgeable. Being such a short story there is very little that is extraneous. ". The Fezziwigs throw a party and treat everyone the same - no matter their status. The problem is internal, within Scrooges heart. He also argues that Time is precious to me. This is most telling of all: whereas the old Scrooge saw little of value beyond his money hole, now he sees the truth that Time itself is precious; and it is, in fact, the most precious thing we. scientist; is. Discuss why you think the poet made these choices. As readers, Dickens is allowing us to reflect on how far Scrooge has come in learning the lesson - and perhaps asking us to reflect on our own learning. ', '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. 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. ', 'Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts". The ribbon for the bookmark should be seven (inches, in) long. Themes= family/time/poverty. The clerks sprinting home juxtaposes Scrooge's dinner in a melancholy tavern. 'A Christmas Carol' is a widely studied book filled with memorable quotes. 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.'. Whatever the genre. ), 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. Use if fairy tale convention, shows the story will have a magical ending. Themes= family/greed and generosity/ time. The verb sparkled has magical and positive connotations, shows Fred is the antithesis of scrooge. 5. Oh! So we have tried where possible to focus on the most vital sections of the novella. A merry Christmas to everybody! It is through your support of visiting Book Analysis that we can support charities, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. Below one can explore the themes, symbols, and more that appear throughout the novel. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell! Did the Anglo-Saxon period last between 449 and 1066? A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens On this page, readers can explore the quotes, they are broadly separated into a few sub-categories. He always did.". His description of the setting suggests that poverty has bred crime and deep unhappiness. Scrooge makes explicit reference to the Malthusian idea that the population must decrease in order to create better conditions. "I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. Bob describes his crippled son. in Its progressive form. The tone is impatient as he does so. The noun phantom has negatives connotations in contrast to the more positive spirits - once again, warning scrooge of his fate if he doesn't change his ways. 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. 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 opening line says, ''Marley was dead: to begin with. The declarative 'will' conveys certainty showing how urgent it is that Scrooge change. 2003-2023 Chegg Inc. All rights reserved. ', 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.'. It would have done you good to see how green a place it is.". For a start, there is the use of ghosts throughout. Active Themes Each sentence below contains a verb 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. Of course, Dickens does use his trademark lengthy descriptions but nearly everything has a point. The verbs suggest age, disfiguration and pain suggesting how unnatural their conditions are that have led to this. A description of the ghost of Christmas past, who symbolises memory and who shows scrooge events from the past. Marley 2. Example: The scientist, along with her two assistants, (is, are) working on a computer simulation of earthquake activity. The adjective 'brave' suggests that the Cratchit's approach to life is noble and admirable - but not easy. Hes comparing Cratchits actual body temperature to Scrooges personality. 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! Key quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Watching Scrooge forge his own invisible chain served as part of Marley's punishment for his deeds in life. My little, little child!'' The conditional subordinate clause represents Scrooge's future actions. 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. " Scrooge entered timidly and hung . Im sure you will all e familiar with the one percent statistic. A foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. This is another quote where Dickens draws on the semantic field of the cold weather. Analysing the evidence "I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. 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? I should like to have given him something: thats all., About the Fezziwig family: shaking hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas., Scrooge about Mr Fezziwig: The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune., Belle to Scrooge: Another idol has displaced me., Belle about Scrooge: I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master passion, Gain, engrosses you., Belles husband to Belle about Scrooge: Quite alone in the world, I do believe., There was nothing very cheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of cheerfulness abroad., About the Ghost of Christmas Present: Sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch., About the Cratchits goose: a feathered phenomenon., There never was such a goose. He did it all and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father., He knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the Knowledge.. Dickens was openly opposed to this view and challenges it throughout the novella. Dr Aidan, PhD, provides you with the 10 key quotes in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', along with in-depth analysis, to he. Oh, no, no! The finger was still there. Note the use of the adjective poor to describe Bob Cratchit. If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population.