English

• Transition and redemption

• Poverty and inequality

• Family

• Christianity

• Isolation

Definition of amends

To make up for doing something wrong

Definition of apathy

A lack of interest or concern

Definition of avarice

Greed

Definition of benevolent

Kind and helpful

Definition of catalyst

A thing which causes change or action to happen. This could be an event or a person

Definition of charitable

Giving money or helping those in need

Definition of Christmas spirit

The belief that Christmas is a time for togetherness and giving those that need it most

Definition of deprivation/poverty

Suffering a severe and damaging lack of basic material and cultural benefits

Definition of empathetic

Showing the ability to understand the feelings of another

Definition of forgiveness

To not feel resentment towards another. In the Christian religion, it is when god does not hold your sins against you

Definition of generosity

Willing to give money, help and kindness

Definition of hostile

If you are hostile to another person or an idea, you disagree with them or disapprove of them in an unfriendly way

Definition of ignorant

Lacking knowledge and not taking steps to learn it

Definition of inequality

The unequal distribution based on one’s social class and economic mobility

Definition of injustice

A lack of fairness or justice

Definition of marginalised

To treat (a person, group or concept) as insignificant or as an outsider

Definition of misanthropic

If you describe a person or their feelings as misanthropic, you mean that they don’t like other people

Definition of miser

A person who holds onto money and spends as little as possible

Definition of morality

Principles of right and wrong or good and bad behaviour

Definition of neglected

Suffering from the lack of care; overlooked and forgotten

Definition of outsider

An outsider is someone who is not accepted by a particular group, or who feels like they don’t belong

Definition of penitent

A person who shows they are sorry and seeks forgiveness for their sins

Definition of philanthropic

Caring for the welfare of others, usually by donating or raising money for a cause

Definition of repent

To feel or express sincere regret fore one’s actions

Definition of sin

An immoral act considered to go against religious law

Definition of social commentary

A story which comment on society (usually criticism)

Definition of social responsibility

The idea that our individual actions should benefit others in society

Definition of solitary

Existing alone

“A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner”

Narrator: Describes Scrooge is S1

• The aggressive and desperate verbs show Scrooge’s obsessive greed and dehumanise him, making him seem almost mechanical

• Scrooges wealth is overwhelming

• List emphasises his unpleasantness

“Solitary as an oyster”

Narrator: Describes Scrooge in S1

• Simile

• Suggests isolation

• Cold, hard exterior

• There is potential for goodness within (a pearl)

“If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population”

Scrooge states in S1

• “Surplus”- word used to talk about money

• Scrooge takes the view of Thomas Malthus- he believes that death and poverty are natural processes and we shouldn’t intervene

• Shows his cruelty and ignorance towards the lower classes

• His unwillingness to donate and help them shows his miserly behaviour and his lack of social responsibility

“What reason have you got to be merry? You’re poor enough”

Scrooges says in S1 to Fred

• Scrooge thinks money equals happiness

• Shows his lack of joy and empathy

“There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door… I should have given him something”

• Shows scrooges early signs of guilt

Ghost of Christmas present repeats Scrooges words “Are there no prisons?”

Ghost of Christmas Present repeats Scrooges words in S3

• Dickens has the spirit repeat Scrooges words to force Scrooge to confront to the cruelty of his earlier attitudes

• When Scrooge has his own words spoken back to him he realises how cold and uncaring they sound prompting shame and reflection

“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am merry as a schoolboy”

• Shows Scrooge is overwhelmed with his joy and freedom, expressing how emotionally renewed he feels after choosing a better path

• Light as a feather shows he’s unburdened and free of his metaphorical chains

• Happy as an angle shows he’s free of sin

“The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs”

• Dickens shows how deeply Scrooge has changed; his laugh symbolises the beginning of a new, joyful life

• Laughter motif surrounding the quote- laughter is contagious

“Allow me to ask your pardon”

• Scrooge apologises sincerely, showing that he takes responsibility for his past cruelty

“I have come to dinner. Will you let me in,Fred?”

• Scrooge humbly sells forgiveness and reconnection with family, showing he values love and belonging

“I’ll raise your salary”

• Scrooge makes amends with Bob Cratchit by becoming a kinder, more supportive employer

• Contrasts to “keep Christmas by losing your situation”- shows he’s changed for the better

“As good as golden goblets”

• The Cratchits treasure their mismatched glassware, showing appreciation despite poverty

• Shows that the Cratchits find joy in the smallest of things

• Richness through love and gratitude

“God bless us, everyone!”

• Tiny Tim expresses kindness and hope, showing goodness in suffering

• Adds to their image as kind and hopeful, despite their struggles

“Surplus population”

Scrooges early v