Y10 English Mock ACC

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

Character: Scrooge

Stave:1

Themes - Generosity, Regret + Grief

• Connote a struggle, Scrooge struggles to assimilate(blend) into society

• Scrooge does not understand the struggles of the poor

• Asyndetic listing to show extent of greed → unlikeable

“Hard and sharp as flint”

Character: Scrooge

Stave:1

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope

• Simile, Scrooge is both misanthropic and cold

• Hard connotes a lack of warmth, empathy and compassion

• Sharp suggests pain, Scrooge has no mercy towards others

• Flint is used to create fire - potential for a spark of warmth within Scrooge

“Solitary as an oyster”

Character: Scrooge

Stave:1

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope

• Simile, Scrooge has a tough hard exterior and is closed to others

• He has chosen to isolate himself

• Oysters can contain pearls, something worthwhile to be found in Scrooge

“He carried his own low temperature around with

Character: Scrooge

Stave:1

Themes -

• Metaphor, Scrooge is emotionally cold

• Hyperbole, exaggerates the extent of his inhospitable nature - he spreads cold to others

• Scrooge is a figure of isolation and rejects the comforts of the world

“Bah! Humbug”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 1

Themes - Christmas

Exclamations, emphasises Scrooge’s distaste for joy and festivity

• Scrooge is totally against Christmas

• Memorable phrase

“darkness was cheap and Scrooge liked it”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 1

Themes - Generosity,

• Scrooge is a miserly character

• Darkness represents evil - he fears light (good)

• Creates a gothic atmosphere

“Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend and sole mourner”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 1

Themes - Family, Regret + Grief

• Repetition, of sole emphasises that Scrooge and Marley only had each other and that they are so alike

• Scrooge is isolated

• The list of "executor", "administrator", "assign" and "residuary legatee" is official and formal - there is no personal intimacy or closeness. Whilst he was a "friend", the sentence structure ends with "mourner"- Scrooge is alone.

• Lexical field of loneliness: 'lonely', 'solitary', 'sole' , 'neglected' - misanthropic villain

“I can't afford to make idle people merry”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 1

Themes - Generosity, Poverty + Social Injustice

• Scrooge believes that the poor are lazy - reflects beliefs of Victorian upper class

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

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 1

Themes - Poverty + Social Injustice

• Metaphor – to show that poor people should die and free up space for other people and for making more money.

• Scrooge is a cold/callous/unempathetic character as he is condoning death of poorer people

• Scrooge does not understand the plight of the poor

“ A solitary child, neglected by his friends”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 2

Themes - Family, Regret + Grief

• Pathos, sympathy is creates

• Juxtaposition, Scrooge is not choosing to be isolated unlike in Stave 1

• Scrooge’s cruelty is learnt behaviour

“Another idol has displaced me…a golden one”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 2

Themes - Generosity, Regret + Grief, Religion

• Metaphor + Religious allusion, Belle equates money with false worship, highlighting Scrooge’s increasing desire for money. Dickens is condemning materialism

• Scrooge’s obsession stems from a fear of poverty

“Spirit," said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, "tell me if Tiny Tim will live."

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 3

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope

• The phrase "an interest he had never felt before" marks a pivotal shift in Scrooge's character, contrasting his former apathy (lack of interest) with a newfound compassion.

• His direct question (Imperative) about Tiny Tim's fate signifies an emotional awakening, highlighting his emerging empathy and investment in other’s wellbeing

“Scrooge was the ogre of the family”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 3

Themes - Family

• Short sentence - emphasise metaphor

• metaphor to suggest that he inflicts terror

• antithesis with Tiny Tim -he is the epitome of a villain & a fantastical creature and Tiny Tim is the innocent in distress

"I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been."

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 4

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope, Regret + Grief

• Redemption, Scrooge has seen what he has become and does not want to fulfil the future he is being presented with

“I will honour Christmas in my heart. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 4

Themes - Hope, Redemption + Change, Christmas, religion

• Anaphora, determination and commitment

• Dickens’ message is to act responsibly now for the future and for your past to be celebrated

• He has had an epiphany and is now longer the the miserly begrudging character he once was

"I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy."

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 5

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope, Religion

• Tricolon of similes, conveys an overwhelming sense of renewal

• Release from the burden of greed

• Moral purity

• Reinforcing his childlike joy in embracing generosity

"He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city knew."

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 5

Themes - Redemption and Change, Generosity

• Anaphora, confirms total moral renewal, and ideas of community and legacy

“I don’t know anything. I’m quite a baby.”

Character : Scrooge

Stave: 5

Themes - Redemption and Change, Religion, Hope

• Metaphor, suggests rebirth and innocence

• Juxtaposition, Scrooge is no longer a sinner

• Spiritual cleansing

• Short sentences convey wonder and emotional overwhelm

“he bore a little crutch and had his limbs supported by an iron frame”

Character: Tiny Tim

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Hope

• Pathos, highlights Tiny Tim’s physical fragility

• Tim is a moral compass for Scrooge

• Tim is a symbol of the struggling, disadvantaged children

• Tiny Tim may have rickets

“God bless us every one!”

Character: Tiny Tim

Stave:3

Themes - Hope, Religion

• Religious imagery, Exclamatory sentence, Tiny Tim reinforces Christian beliefs about Christmas

“There never was such a goose cooked.”

Character: Cratchit Family

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Family, Christmas

• Hyperbole – showing they exaggerate the excitement of a goose which is too small for them as a family but they are grateful anyway.

• They can find happiness in scarcity

• Promotes a moral reflection for reader

“Eked out by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes”

Character: Cratchit Family

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Family, Christmas

• Adjective – shows that there isn’t enough food to go around

• Cratchit’s are utilising everything they have

“monstrous shirt collar (Bob’s private property”

Character: Cratchit Family

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Family

• Peter has large aspirations despite lack of of wealth

• Suggests struggle as it is not Peter’s shirt

“wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable.”

Character: Ignorance + Want

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Regret + Grief

• Asyndetic listing, Overwhelms the reader with horror

• Shows the grotesque results of social neglect

• Children reduced to objects of pity rather than individuals

“Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish”

Character: Ignorance + Want

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Regret + Grief

• Asyndetic listing, Zoomorphism, Repulsive image

• Dehumanised - extreme deprivation has made them animalistic

• Stripped of dignity

“Where angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing.”

Character: Ignorance + Want

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + Social Injustice, Regret + Grief, Religion

• Metaphor, religious imagery, Children are supposed to be angelic and heavenly

“They are Man’s… and they cling to me”

Character: Ignorance + Want

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Regret + Grief

• Society has let children down - people should feel responsible

• Children are desperate and in need of help

“I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.”

Character: Ignorance + Want

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + social Injustice, Hope, Redemption + Change

• Personification of Doom - powerful force to be overturned

• highlights urgency for reform

“Another idol has displaced me…a golden one”

Character: Belle

Stave:2

Themes - Religion, Redemption + Change, Regret + Grief

• Metaphor + Religious allusion, Belle equates money with false worship, highlighting Scrooge’s increasing desire for money. Dickens is condemning materialism

• Scrooge’s obsession stems from a fear of poverty

“May you be happy in the life you have chosen.”

Character: Belle

Stave:2

Themes - Regret + Grief, Redemption + Change

• Irony, Scrooge has not chosen happiness but materialism and loneliness

“Gain engrosses you.”

Character: Belle

Stave:2

Themes - Regret + Grief, Redemption + Change

• Belle states how greed had consumed Scrooge

• It has destructive power

“Now a comely matron sitting opposite her daughter”

Character: Belle

Stave:2

Themes - Family, Hope

• Belle’s life is now full of warmth and joy

• She has become happy without wealth

“Dear, dear brother!”

Character: Fan

Stave:2

Themes - Family, Regret + Grief

• Repetition, deep affection

• Figure of love and warmth for Scrooge that he has lost

“Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home’s like Heaven!”

Character: Fan

Stave:2

Themes - Family, Religion, Hope

• Simile, Fan is optimistic and forgiving

• Fan is full of love

“A positive light appeared to issue from Fezziwig’s calves. They shone in every part of the dance like moons.'”

Character: Fezziwig

Stave:2

Themes - Christmas, Generosity, Hope

• Metaphor, generosity has brough Fezziwig great joy

• Simile, emphasis purity and being heavenly

• Fezziwig cannot contain his happiness

“The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortune.”

Character: Fezziwig

Stave:2

Themes - Generosity, Christmas, Redemption + Change

• The Upper Class can change lives if they wish

• happiness is most important

"comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice”

Character: Fezziwig

Stave : 2

Themes - Generosity, Christmas

• Asyndetic listing, abundance and indulgence

• Fezziwig is foil to Scrooge

“It was a strange figure—like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man.”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Past

Stave:2

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope

• Antithesis, symbolises how memory can unstable and like two things at once

• Shows how innocence is affected by experience

• Highlights inhuman, supernatural nature

"Would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?"

Character: Ghost of Christmas Past

Stave:2

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope, Religion, Regret + Grief

• Metaphor , Ghost is here to illuminate his past and show where Scrooge has gone wrong

• Rhetorical question, Ghost challenges Scrooge fear of confronting painful memories

• Memory can be painful but is necessary for growth

• Motif of light

“A small matter to make these folks so full of gratitude”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Past

Stave:2

Themes - Redemption + Change, Generosity, Poverty + Social Injustice

• Epiphany – shows that it is easy to make employees happy.

“Come in! and know me better, man!”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Present

Stave:3

Themes - Redemption + Change, Generosity, Christmas

• Imperative, and Direct address, demonstrates the power that the Ghosts have over Scrooge and their ability to support him through his moral arc

• Ghost of Christmas present shows warmth + generosity - literary foil to Scrooge in Stave 1

“A jolly giant who bore a glowing torch with a cheery voice and a joyful air”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Present

Stave:3

Themes - Christmas, Generosity, Hope

• Alliteration, enhances the spirit’s warmth and vitality

• Torch symbolise generosity, light and festivity

• May show biblical imagery - guiding light

“They are Man’s. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware for I see that written which is Doom.”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Present

Stave:3

Themes - Redemption + Change, Hope, Regret + Grief, Poverty + Social Injustice

• Allegory , a warning about the social consequences of poverty and lack of education.

• The fact that these children are “Man’s” may suggest not just society’s guilt but its power to change their fate.

• The declaration “They are Man’s” places blame on society itself.

“If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Present

Stave:3

Themes - Redemption + Change, Poverty + Social Injustice, Regret + Grief

• Irony , Scrooge’s earlier words are used to shame him

• Shows how far Scrooge has come on his journey of redemption

“It was shrouded in a deep black garment which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing visible except one outstretched hand.”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Stave:4

Themes - Redemption + Change, Regret + Grief, Religion

• Symbolism, describing ghost like it is the grim reaper

• Represents the uncertainty of the future and form is not fully revealed

“I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Stave:4

Themes - Redemption + Change, Regret + Grief, Religion

• Epiphany, Scrooge understands that he needs to change is is opening up by expressing his emotions

• The fear of death drives people towards moral redemption

“Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be only?”

Character: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Stave:4

Themes - Redemption + Change, Regret + Grief, Hope

• Rhetorical question, Scrooge is desperate for redemption and hopes his fates can be changed

• There are many ways to achieve redemption

"The clerk’s fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal."

Character : Bob Cratchit

Stave:1

Themes - Poverty + Social Injustice

Hyperbole, shows the lack of care towards Bob and how Scrooge’s miserliness causes genuine suffering. Coldness mirrors the cold nature of Scrooge

• Meagre fire represents Bob's oppressed position in society

"He ran home to Camden Town as hard as he could pelt, to play at blindman’s- buff"

Character : Bob Cratchit

Stave:3

Themes - Family, Hope

• The energetic phrase "as hard as he could pelt" conveys Bob’s childlike excitement and emotional warmth, even in poverty. His ability to find joy in simple pleasures stands in sharp contrast to Scrooge’s isolation. It underscores Dickens’ message that happiness is not tied to wealth.    

"I’ll give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast."

Character : Bob Cratchit

Stave:3

Themes - Christmas, Family

• Highlights Bob’s grace and humility. Bob is morally strong despite his mistreatment

"The Founder of the Feast indeed… I wish I had him here. I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon."

Character : Mrs Cratchit

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + Social Injustice

• Juxtaposition, between Mrs Cratchit and Bob shows she is strongly defensive about her family and is challenging gender roles of women being quite to share her opinion. She is a voice of protest against the treatment of the poor

"Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons."

Character : Mrs Cratchit

Stave:3

Themes - Poverty + Social Injustice, Family

• Symbolic of the resourcefulness of the family despite hardship ; dress is reused

• Poor still try to preserve self respect

"I wear the chain I forged in life."

Character: Jacob Marley

Stave:1

Themes - Regret + Grief, Redemption + Change, Religion

• Metaphor shows the chain is a powerful symbol of Marley’s guilt and moral burden. Physical weight to sins

• He is now in purgatory and damned to walk the earth with heavy chains representing everything he valued in life

• "forged" implies active responsibility—he created his own punishment through greed and inaction

• Chain shows inescapable consequences of actions

"Mankind was my business."

Character: Jacob Marley

Stave:1

Themes - Generosity, Poverty + Social Injustice, Redemption + Change, Religion

• Symbolism, shows how Marley understands the errors of his ways and how money is not everything

• Dickens is promoting the idea of social responsibility

"You will be haunted... by Three Spirits."

Character: Jacob Marley

Stave:1

Themes - Hope, Redemption + Change, Religion

• Foreshadowing , Emphasises how the ghosts will guide Scrooge to redemption

“My spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole.”

Character: Jacob Marley

Stave:1

Themes - Regret + Grief, Redemption + Change, Poverty + Social Injustice

• Metaphor , Marley has confined himself solely to money and business- it is his entire focus

• The term “money-changing hole” is derogatory, suggesting a lifeless, oppressive place, emphasising how spiritually barren his existence was. Dickens uses this imagery to show that a life lived purely for commerce is a wasted one.

• Marley regrets his life - without exploration or fun

"His face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled."

Character : Fred

Stave:1

Themes - Christmas, Hope, Generosity

Dickens shows that Fred is in direct contrast (Literary foil) to Scrooge and symbolises the warmth, joy and youth that Scrooge lacks

"I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not."

Character : Fred

Stave:1

Themes - Family, Redemption + Change, Hope, Generosity

Fred has consistent kindness and a strong moral integrity. Fred feels that he has a duty to look out for the welfare of his Uncle

"What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough."

Character: Fred

Stave:1

Themes - Redemption + Change, Generosity, Poverty + Social Injustice

Rhetorical Question + Irony, True wealth lies not in money but in connection and happiness.

"I have always thought of Christmas as a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time."

Character: Fred

Stave:1

Themes - Christmas, Hope, Generosity, Religion

Asyndetic listing ,reflects traditional Christian values and beliefs about Christmas

What significant change did the Poor Law introduced in 1834 mandate for the poor?

The poor had to work in workhouses to earn money or support.

What were workhouses known for during the 19th century?

They were difficult, crowded, and harsh environments for inmates.

What age did children have to be to work according to the Factory Act on Child Labour of 1833?

Children had to be at least 9 years old to work.

What was Thomas Malthus's belief regarding poverty?

He believed that poverty was a natural product of population growth.

How did Dickens experience poverty in his childhood?

He was sent to work at Warren’s Blacking Factory at the age of 12, living and working by himself for 3 years.

What role did Dickens's daughter Mary play in his Christmas celebrations?

She wrote that Christmas with her father was full of merriment and dancing with many guests.

What were Ragged Schools established for?

They were set up to provide basic education to impoverished children.

What was one significant tradition that started gaining popularity during Victorian Christmas due to Prince Albert?

The tradition of decorating Christmas trees.

What inspired Dickens to write 'A Christmas Carol'?

He was inspired by a parliamentary report on child labourers and the sight of starving families in Manchester.

What does the term 'Sabbatarianism' refer to in Victorian society?

It refers to the rest day where people did not work, with Dickens disagreeing with blue laws prohibiting leisure on Sundays.

In what way did Dickens admire Dante's work?

He was a fan of 'The Divine Comedy' and noted similarities between it and 'A Christmas Carol'.

What is the etymology of the name 'Ebeneezer'?

It derives from Hebrew, relating to the word 'stone'.

What biblical connection does the name 'Jacob Marley' have?

'Jacob' is a biblical name associated with a shrewd businessman.

What does 'Tiny Tim' symbolize in relation to his name?

Tim is short for Timothy, which means honoured by God, with a nod towards 'timid'.

What was a common characteristic of Victorian life with respect to health?

Tuberculosis and rickets were prevalent; about 50% of the population contracted TB.

How did Dickens structure 'A Christmas Carol'?

It is a novella organized in staves instead of chapters.

What contradiction exists in the production of 'A Christmas Carol'?

It included expensive hand-painted illustrations but was intended for the poorest audience.

Who illustrated 'A Christmas Carol'?

The illustrator was John Leach, a famous artist and friend of Dickens.

What historical figure is Scrooge believed to be based on?

He is believed to be based on John Elwes, a frugal man who inherited a fortune.

What is Leadenhall Market's significance in 'A Christmas Carol'?

It is described as the best place to buy a turkey near Scrooge’s house and work.