ACC Character Quotations

“As solitary as an oyster”

Simile emphasises Scrooge’s extreme loneliness as oysters are found alone on the ocean floor symbolizing how scrooge has distanced himself from society and meaningful relationships.

The Isolation is not just physical but emotional as scrooge has a built hard shell around himself much like an oyster suggesting a lack of warmth and connection.

Imagery hints at potential for change/ foreshadows through the pearls oysters produce

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

callous tone portrays Scrooge as a miser who lacks empathy and compassion for those less fortunate. / euphemism

echo’s Malthusian ideology that suggested the growth of population would outstrip food production and that reducing the population would alleviate economic strain- connotes to ideas that the plight of the poor was a result of their own / laziness

“A squeezing wrenching grasping scraping clutching covetous old sinner”

Asyndetic listing creates a relentless constant description of Scrooge’s negative personality

Intimidating effect on reader reflecting his rancorous behaviour

shows how Scrooge in his single minded goal in acquiring wealthy represents the opposite of generosity

“squeeze” money out of people and “covets” what he does not yet have

Christianity - sinner

Scrooge’s Purpose

Dickens uses Scrooge’s words to critique societal indifferences towards the poor

reveal how the wealthy used the poor as burdens rather that individuals with dignity, how they exploited the poor for their own ends

Dickens advocates for social change emplacing that only through shared social Responsibility and compassion can social inequality be reduced.

Urges wealthy to take Responsibility for the welfare of the poor , highlighting the potential societal benefit if everyone shares in this Responsibility

“I wear the chains I forged in life “

metaphor symbolizes the moral burdens Marley carries due to his greed and selfishness- he crafted the chain by his own actions

“chain” symbolises the burdens and consequences of ones actions through how it conveys a sense of being restricted, held back like a prisoner suggesting Marley has done something wrong, something criminal.

Serves as a warning of ignoring the plight of the poor

“Mankind was my business”

Marley distressed at Scrooges assertation that he was a good man of business

repetition of business emphasises the foolish notion that mans “business” should be financially driven . Dickens reveals how kindness and benevolence do not cost anything- mankind should operate around common welfare not trade

“confused noises in the air, incoherent sound of lamentation and regret”

Marley’s reflection of his isolation and lack of Responsibility in his sorrowful words show the pain and suffering he feels is of his own fault

lamentation - connotations of death sadness grief

noises show how Scrooge still can’t see the consequences of his actions

Marley’s Purpose

Dickens critiques the rigid social structures of Victorian society that perpetuate poverty highlighting how the wealthy’s indifference contributes to the suffering of the poor.

Marley’s chains are a reminder of the need for moral awakening

wealthy that neglect the need of the poor will have a lifetime of regret and suffering

reveals the consequences of a life spent in pursuit of wealth at the expense of human compassion.

urges his audience to reflect on their own actions to transform to empathy and social Responsibility

“God bless us everyone”

repetition encapsulates the essence of universal good will and the importance of kindness to others not just those that he deems worthy.

Third person singular pronoun “everyone” shows reader that even though he is needy he does not selfishly focus inwardly upon himself. He understands suffering and pain is felt by more than just him and he asks God to look after society as a whole. As a result he experiences joy not misery.

By invoking God Dickens alludes to Christen values of kindness and compassion to shift his readers towards these / appeal to Victorian reader religious conscious.

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

narrators comments on TT inability to walk serves as a metaphor for the fact that the poor in Victorian England could only survive day to day working in low paid positions which allowed them to maintain their standard of living but never improve it.

“he hoped the people saw him in the Church because he was a cripple”

“pleasant for them to remember who made lame beggars walk”

kindhearted spiritually mature

“cripple” is emotive and highlights the boy’s vulnerability and the harsh way in which Victorian society labeled disabled people. Instead of regretting his handicap tTT feels happy because he hopes his suffering will remind others of the suffering of Christ who died on the cross for them.

Tiny Tim’s purpose

Dickens challenges those who are oblivious to the plight of the poor, blaming them perhaps for perpetuating a world in which needless burt occurs.

Physically disabled saintly child is a stock character from Victorian literature used as a reminder of Christian morals an values.

provoke sympathy and elicit support for his social message.

economy valued those who coild contribute physically especially with the move form agriculture to industrial manufacture. - reflect on inequality.