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.

Marley was his pearl now all that’s left is his hard shell / exterior

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

Despite hearing that the poor would "rather “die” than go to a workhouse Scrooge is unaffected. Workhouses were government instructions where the poor were clothed and fed in exchange for extreme and hard work. These were a product of the poor laws in 1834 that regarded the poor as a scourge upon society. He sees the poor as problem to be managed not people creating dislike toward his character.

“A squeezing wrenching grasping scraping clutching covetous old sinner”

polysyndetic 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

suggests Scrooge is mechanical heartless - Industrial revolution the move from agriculture to industrial manufacture created massive wealth / new class of rich industrialists who cared more about profits than people. Scrooge represents this; he hoards money and underpays Bob Cratchit creating poverty because families can not afford their basic needs with the low wages they earn.

7 deadly sins avarice in particular to shock readers out of their inertia to not read passively but understand his social message for change.

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.

“The clerks fire was so much smaller that it looked like on coal”

“dismal little cell”

simile emphasises the stark contrast between Scrooge and Bob’s fire. Comparative adjective “smaller” signifies Bob’s dire financial situation and reveals the plight of the poor. Scrooge choses to do nothing illustrating his lack of empathy in how he puts “profits” over the wellbeing of those who work for him - cold hearted miser.

prison

“I’ll give you Mr Scrooge the founder of the feast”

Bob’s patience and compassion because he is grateful and good natured towards his employer regardless of the way he is treated.

Reader recognises the irony of toasting Scrooge as their is so little food; it can hardly be called a feast as a result of the low wages Scrooge pays Bob. Showing Bob’s humility to elevate Scrooge’s position by giving him importance even though he does not deserve it.

“My little little chid. cried Bob My little child”

repetition of “little” adds to the sad effect of Bob’s cry and connotes to helplessness reminder of how the death of children was common and Bob knew he didn’t have the means to protect Tiny Tim.

Epimone to elicit sympathy

Bob purpose

represents the hard working poor Victorian worker struggling to provide for his family - showing the effects of poverty.

Serves as Scrooge’s foil because despite being poor he is rich in all things that matter serving as a moral example of how to act.

He is used as a microcosm of the poor, representing their warmth and goodness in contrast to the coldness and isolation of the rich. This highlights the idea that true wealth lies in love and relationships, not in material riches.

Dickens criticise the harsh working conditions and to inspire social reform in attitudes towards poverty

“it wore a tunic of the purest white” (GOCP)

“white” symbolises purity and innocence. The Ghost’s attire suggests suggests a connection to Scrooge’s lost childhood and the innocence of his early years. - reveals the importance of memories in shaping who we become

Can also represent clarity because the Ghosts role is to help him confront the choices that led him to his current state.

““bright clear jet of light” springing from it’s head (GOCP)

“jet” implies that it is not a soft glow but something forceful. Light is associated with purity and goodness - traits linked whit childhood .

Jesus is the light of the world. He is the source of all goodness and life. He will guide us to the light - religious audience

Arguably personification of Jesus.

Scrooge tries to “extinguish” the light

Contrasted as being both “light” and “dark” (GOCP)

mimics a candlelight because it can be put out meaning Scrooge has put out the truth for a long time.

Dickens could be using the Christian symbolism of light and darkness to represent a battle between good and evil to show redemption is possible and that goodness can triumph in a corrupt society.

Victorian readers pay attention to the moralists teaching the spirit teaches and live them out.

“despondent poplar”

A tall upright tree described as despondent suggests defeat, hopelessness mirroring Scrooge’s inner state. -personification Dickens suggests how the sadness of many lonely “neglected” children affects society in a negative way.

Ghost of Christmas Past purpose

serve as a mirror, helping Scrooge see the man he was and the man he became. To make Scrooge reflect on what he has lost - Joy love family (“they are man and wife”)

people aren’t born cruel - “solitary boy - pathos)

the experiences and influences of childhood shape the adult we become.

“If these shadows remain unaltered by the future the child will die”

metaphor for the Ghosts vision that suggests what Scrooge is seeing can still be changed because shadows are insubstantial, not real yet

“die” conveys the bluntness, urgency appealing to pathos engaging Scrooge and the reader.

Motif of “shadows” represents the intangible but real consequences of human choices.

“Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die?”

Rhetorical question confronts Scrooge’s arrogance in believing he has the power to dictate the lives of the poor because he is so wealthy . Gocp shows Scrooge he has no moral authority.

Christianity -equality

Exposes the cruelty and arrogance oof judging the poor as unworthy

undermines the cold logic of capitalism

“Insect on the leaf pronouncing on too much life among his brothers in the dust”

Metaphor compares Scrooge to an insignificant insect on a leaf that represents wealth and comfort.

though Scrooge seems powerful he is morally irrelevant

like Scrooge the wealthy ignore their “hungry brothers” - the poor and starving masses. - contrast between leaf and dust showing his ignorance

Brothers - shared humanity

Ghost of Christmas Present Purpose

Presented as the personification of the Christmas Spirit, arguably a mouthpiece for Dickens’ views on social reform.

guides Scrooge towards his Redemption

Transends this role to present a social commentary to wealthy of Victorian England who are in desperate need for Redemption.

Wealthy have Privilege and power; the poor do not.

Dickens is a vital voice which reveals the struggles of the poor through the juxtaposition of scenes of hardship with scenes of “plenty”. Dickens challenges wealthy in society who are vocal and forceful in their pursuit of their ends and are blind tp the suffering of the majority - In doing so ,irony of the rich to judge the poor.

“shrouded in a deep black garment”

dark foreboding figure representing mourning and fear

“black” symbolises death and the unknown drawing comparisons to the Grim reaper creating an ominous atmosphere

“unwatched, unwept, uncared for”

triplet repetition of “un” creates a rhythmic and haunting effect emphasising the total absence of care and compassion

mirrors the earlier description of Scrooge of Scrooge’s isolation reminding the reader of how Marley died without anyone to mourn him illustrating the consequence of a life lived without connection to others.

Imagery evokes feelings of sadness and pity

stark reminder of the fate of those who live a life only in pursuit of wealth .

religious audience, clear connection between sin and punishment. presents sin not as moral failure but as something that leads to spiritual and eternal suffering - hell. echo’s that through repentance an dby accepting God’s grace can eternal torment be avoided.

“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends but if the course be departed from, the ends will change”

“courses” symbolises the moral or life choices people make, “ends” consequences of those choices drawing comparisons with life to a path or journey. If you stay on a destructive course your ends will reflect that but you can change direction, foreshadowing Scrooge’s Redemption

encourages reader to question what “course” they are on..

Ghost of Christmas Yet to come purpose

morning and fear to suggest the future holds grim possibilities for Scrooge if he does not change.

highlights the importance of change and the impact of ones choices on the future

dark imagery serves as a contrast to redemption

personification of Grim Reaper

“all in glow” “his eyes sparkled”

Fred is introduced directly after Scrooge

semantic field of warmth portrays Fred as kindhearted and loving character.

Metaphor for Fred’s inner goodness contrast to Scrooge cold demeanour. symbolises light - purity goodness Christ

embodies the Christmas spirit “sparkled” creates image of brightness symbolising joy, his outlook on life

embracing the Christmas spirit can lead to growth positive change

“Merry Christmas uncle God save you”

invites readers to envision the joy and togetherness that Christmas brings

highlights the joy and excitement Christmas should bring

Fred's greeting serves as a reminder of the values that Scrooge has abandoned

true value of Christmas lies in spirit and kindness

juxtaposition emphasizes the central conflict of the story: the struggle between the spirit of Christmas and the coldness of greed. Fred's character serves as a foil to Scrooge, highlighting the negative traits of greed and isolation that Scrooge embodies

By invoking God …

“Another idol has displaced me, a golden one”

“they are man and wife”

metaphor for money and wealthy

idol connotations of perfection on a pedestal and the most important aspect

“one” indicates the only thing scrooge seeks is money

misses out on a family lives a lonely miserable life because he prioritises money over relationships

links to religion second commandment you shall not make for yourself an idol

Israelites broke this 3000 died plague relationship with God broken eternal torment shell

Scrooge broke it eternal torment Marley creating empathy for Scrooge because he can not change the actions of the past.

“cook, milkman”

“light”

“benevolence”

Fezziwig welcomes anyone who has helped him in any way to his party. Social status that was so rigidly defined in the Victorian era where it was verry difficult almost impossible to raise ones position in society does not matter to him. the “cook, milkman” are as welcome as his wives and daughters.

Antithesis of Scrooge, symbol of kindness, generosity.

severs as a foil in how he contrasts Scrooge’s miserly behaviour.

Model example of how employers do not have to be cold and harsh and an example of the positive impact an employer can have on their employees.

Exemplifies Christian moral teachings that everyone is worthy. Everyone has dignity and is equal as human beings- it is not our social status that gives us worth it is who we are as people. In this way, Dickens emphasises how it is the responsibility of every individual, every member of society to respect and look out for eachother.

“holly wreath set here and there with shining icicles”

crown of thorns