CC: ANALYSIS

"A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!" - Analysis?

List of verbs shows Scrooge is greedy, selfish and obsessed with money. Alliteration makes it sound harsh and aggressive. Establishes him as the villain at the start. Links to greed and isolation.

"Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire" - Analysis?

Simile compares him to stone – cold, unfeeling and unyielding. "Generous fire" suggests he has no warmth or kindness. Shows his character is fixed and unchangeable… at first.

"Secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" - Analysis?

Simile shows he is closed off and likes being alone. Oysters have pearls inside – hints there is goodness hidden within him waiting to be revealed.

"If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population" - Analysis?

Shows Scrooge’s cruel attitude towards the poor. Reflects Malthusian beliefs popular at the time – that there are too many people and resources are limited. Links to poverty and social injustice.

"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" - Analysis?

Repetition shows he thinks poverty is a crime and the poor should be punished. Ignores their suffering. Contrasts sharply with his later views. Links to social responsibility.

"I wear the chain I forged in life" - Analysis?

Metaphor: the chain is made of his greed and selfishness. He built it himself through his actions. Shows that our choices have consequences even after death. Links to redemption and fate.

"Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business" - Analysis?

Contrasts with Scrooge’s line "Business is business". Shows Marley has learned too late that caring for others is more important than money. Key message of the novella.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Analysis?

Scrooge’s promise to change. Shows he has learned the true meaning of Christmas – kindness, generosity and love. He will not just be good at Christmas, but always. Links to transformation and redemption.

"I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel" - Analysis?

Similes show he feels free, happy and unburdened. Contrasts with the heavy chain Marley wore. Shows his transformation is complete.

"God bless us, every one!" - Analysis?

Shows Tiny Tim’s innocence, kindness and forgiveness. Includes everyone, even those who are cruel. Represents the ideal Christmas spirit and unity. Final message of hope.

"The boy is Ignorance. The girl is Want" - Analysis?

Allegory: they represent the problems of society. "Want" = poverty, "Ignorance" = lack of education. Shows that if we ignore the poor, society will suffer. Links to social criticism.

"This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both" - Analysis?

Warning from the Ghost. "Most of all beware the boy" – ignorance is the biggest danger because it stops people from helping others. Dickens is criticising the upper classes.

"Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die?" - Analysis?

Rhetorical question challenges Scrooge’s views. Shows that no one has the right to judge who deserves to live. Highlights the value of every human life.

"If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die" - Analysis?

"Shadows" symbolise the future. Gives Scrooge hope – he can change what happens. Shows that actions have consequences and redemption is possible.

"A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still" - Analysis?

Explains why Scrooge became so cold – he was lonely and unhappy as a child. Makes the reader feel sympathy for him. Shows his isolation started early.

"Another idol has displaced me… a golden one" - Analysis?

Metaphor: Belle says Scrooge loves money more than her. "Golden idol" shows greed has become his religion. Explains why he never married and became so selfish.

"I see a vacant seat… and a crutch without an owner" - Analysis?

Shows Tiny Tim will die if things don’t change. The empty seat symbolises loss and death. Forces Scrooge to face the consequences of his actions.