GCSE English Literature- A Christmas Carol Character quotes and anaylsis

Scrooge before change quotes

• “Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole friend, and his sole mourner.”

• "it's not my business"

• "solitary as an oyster"

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

• "A solitary child. Neglected by his friends, is left there still."

• “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!

• “Hard and sharp as flint,”

• "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?"

“Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole friend, and his sole mourner.” analysis

• “Mourner”- implies Marley’s death lacked sentiment or love, indicating emptiness of a life lived without compassion, foreshadows what may become of Scrooge if he continues to value money over humanity. 

• Lexical field- “executor,” “friend,” and “mourner” reveal totality of Scrooge’s isolation, eliciting pity and foreboding sense.

• “Sole”- underscores Marley’s isolation, hinting Scrooge’s own future- dying alone, unloved, and unmissed if he does not change repetition amplifies Scrooge’s cold, transactional view of relationships.

"it's not my business" analysis

• This quote suggests that Scrooge believes that the poor is not his problem. It also suggest that Scrooge does not want to be associated with poverty and refuses to support the poor as he believes he already helps hem through paying taxes. Scrooge refuses to donate to the poor as he wants the poor to go to workhouses and prisons.

• Noun "business"- suggests Scrooge believes that it isn't his job to solve the issues of the lower class

• Noun "business"- shows that Scrooge cares more about his money and wealth than helping others and benevolence.

"solitary as an oyster" analysis

• Simile- compares Scrooge to an oyster because of his closed of personality, reflects anti-social behaviour

• Noun "oyster"- suggest Scrooge has goodness within as oysters contain a pearl inside their shell

• This quote suggest that Scrooge has a introvert personality and his dislike of interaction. The quote shows Scrooge's closed off life and isolation from society as he doesn't have any positive relations with anyone in society.

• Adjective "solitary"- could suggest his lonely childhood and having a companionless upbringing.

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

• “Rather die”- dismissal of poor reflects Malthusian belief in limiting population growth to improve society

• “surplus population”- dehumanises poor, turning individuals into mere statistics, Scrooge later realises is a grotesque moral failing. 

• Scrooge’s insensitivity- cruelty of Victorian attitudes that neglected the welfare of the underprivileged

• cold tone- callous language reveals brutal attitude toward the vulnerable, foreshadows moral awakening as he witnesses the suffering his views endorse, especially through the figure of Tiny Tim.

"A solitary child. Neglected by his friends, is left there still." analysis

• foreshadows both Scrooge’s and Tiny Tim’s fates, suggesting unless society shows care, many will be left in despair.

• “solitary child” and “neglected by his friends”- vivid image of abandonment, prompting readers to feel compassion for Scrooge and reconsider the impact of isolation on children.

• “solitary child” hints at Scrooge’s future isolation and mirrors Tiny Tim’s vulnerability, reminding us the, life-altering effects of neglect

• “Solitary child”- symbolizes young Scrooge’s emotional starvation, linking his cold-heartedness to his neglected childhood and building empathy for him

• Scrooge as lonely and forgotten- readers to empathize with him, highlighting importance of compassion for society’s neglected individuals.

• “Neglected by his friends”- echoes theme of societal neglect, reflects consequences of ignoring vulnerable individuals, like Tiny Tim

“a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!” analysis

• A powerful list of violent, physical verbs (“squeezing”, “wrenching”, etc.) creates an image of someone who is tight-fisted and greedy to an extreme.

• Asyndetic listing (no “and” before the final item) makes it overwhelming — showing how thoroughly unpleasant Scrooge is.

• “Covetous” links to the biblical sin of greed, and “sinner” shows moral judgement.

• Dickens immediately sets Scrooge up as someone to dislike, preparing readers for his transformation.

“Hard and sharp as flint” analysis

• A simile comparing Scrooge to “flint” — a stone known for being hard and unyielding.

• Suggests Scrooge is emotionally cold, unfeeling, and unfriendly.

• However, flint can produce fire when struck — hinting that even someone like Scrooge may still have potential for warmth and change.

"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" analysis

• This quote suggests that Scrooge believes the poor should be imprisoned or forced to work as a result of their laziness. The quote is about scrooge talking to the portly gentlemen about a donation for the poor for Christmas which Scrooge refuses as he has avarice and miserly attitude. Scrooge believes he is already contributing enough to the lower class by paying his taxes to support workhouses and poorhouses.

• Repetition of "are there no...?"- Scrooge believes that the poor should be treated as criminals and punished for their 'crimes'

• Rhetorical question- Scrooge feels insulted as he feels he has done enough for the poor to make it out of poverty

• Repetition of "are there no...?"- suggests his negative views of the poor and their lack of contribution to society being the reason he wants more workhouses and poor houses built

Marley’s ghost quotes

• "Cash boxes... ledgers...heavy purses"

• "I wear the chain I forged in life"

• "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.“

"Cash boxes... ledgers...heavy purses" analysis

• Semantic field- powerful imagery, symbolising the greed and moral corruption of Scrooge and others in his world, represents a fixation on wealth over human connection, materialism burdens and dehumanises people, chaining them to their selfishness. 

• “heavy purses”- physical and moral weight, burdening their owners, imagery foreshadows message that wealth without compassion leads to spiritual emptiness and suffering

• “Heavy”- oppressive weight, pursuit of wealth enslaves those who value it over humanity

• metaphor- burden of selfishness and greed that Marley, Scrooge’s former partner, suffers under in the afterlife

• vivid description- sense of revulsion toward the character’s prioritisation of wealth, aiming to inspire change.

"Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.” analysis

• “Mankind was my business” is a powerful statement that redefines the purpose of life: not to gain wealth, but to help others.

• The repetition of the word “business” is ironic — Marley, a former businessman like Scrooge, now realises that true business is moral duty, not financial gain.

• The listing of “charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence” uses a series of virtues that contrast sharply with how Marley and Scrooge lived in life — selfishly and greedily.

• The pause created by the semicolons and commas gives the line a slow, mournful tone, conveying Marley’s deep regret.

• Dickens uses Marley as a moral mouthpiece to deliver one of the novella’s most direct messages to the reader: that helping others is our greatest responsibility.

"I wear the chain I forged in life" analysis

• “I wear the chain”- symbolic, “chain”- self-inflicted burden Marley carries for eternity, personal responsibility, as he “wears” what he has created by his own choices.

• “Forged”- literal act of creating something with heat and force and the figurative act of shaping one’s own fate,  greed “forged” his suffering, underscoring moral consequence.

• “Link by link, yard by yard”- repetition, gradual accumulation of Marley’s sins, each selfish act contributed to his ultimate punishment, imagery of incremental growth shows wealth over compassion building unescapable metaphorical weight

Ignorance and Want quotes

• “They are Man’s… This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both.”

• "yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish"

“They are Man’s… This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both.” analysis

• “Ignorance” and “Want”- Personify societal issues of the time, ignorance of the poor’s suffering and the desire bred by poverty

• “Boy”, “girl” (children)- symbols of the consequences of neglect and lack of social responsibility.

• “Beware”- A warning to society, suggesting that ignoring these issues leads to greater suffering and destruction.

• “Man’s” highlights Tabula Rasa, they have become what has been fed to them by the adults

"yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish" analysis

• Emotive adjectives- creates sense of description and danger; "wolfish" suggests they will attack or hunt to feed themselves. The children are further emphasised as 'scavengers' and rummaging for basic necessities.

• Asyndetic listing- emphasises predatorily and aggressive nature of the children; this is shown in the adjective "scowling", showing the children Ignorance and Want as animals.

• Adjective "wolfish"- shows the poor dehumanised and feral, like a wild animal, could show the children being dangerous and vicious beats.

• "Yellow"- could suggest the children being sick from malnutrition and diseases because of the unsanitary conditions of the lower class in the Victorian era due to poverty and inaccessible healthcare.

• "Yellow"- could suggest the children being sick from malnutrition and diseases because of the unsanitary conditions of the lower class in the Victorian era due to poverty and inaccessible healthcare.

Quotes for Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come:

• “The phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached.”

“The phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached.” analysis

• “Slowly, gravely, silently”- semantic field of inevitability and dread, highlighting the Ghost’s ominous presence.

• “Phantom”- suggests an apparition, emphasising the fear of unknown and the finality of death, evoking a chilling atmosphere, scares Scrooge into change

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

• Biblical allusion- Christmas is a festival celebrated by Christians to rejoice of the birth of Jesus. It symbolises a time of giving and generosity, with jovial and festive spirits.

• Verb "honour"- suggests that Scrooge is now respected by society for changing his previous austere and callous attitudes, but he is also obligated to fulfil his social responsibility, as he promised.

• This quote suggest that the ghosts have transformed Scrooge, and he is no longer the avaricious and miserly person he once was. Scrooge promises to keep the Christmas spirit of benevolence and generosity all year round, suggesting that he has learned from the ghosts and has turned into a better man. Scrooge now has to fulfil his promise, as he sees what he has missed out on, particularly with Fred.

• Verb "honour"- could suggest his faith in the ghosts to teach him integrity or could also suggest him asking for forgiveness as he is saved from his doomed fate of eternal punishment.

Scrooge After Change quote

• "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy I am giddy as a drunken man"

• “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

"I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy I am giddy as a drunken man" analysis

• Noun "schoolboy"- references the memory at his old school with the ghost of Christmas past

• Similes- emphasises extent of Scrooge's transformation and the joy he is experiencing for the first time after he gained wealth

• Similes- emphasises extent of Scrooge's transformation and the joy he is experiencing for the first time after he gained wealth

• Adjective "merry"- could suggest his promise to the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to be a change man; displaying his new found joy

• Biblical imagery "angel"- shows redemption in the eyes of the Lord and his place in heaven

• This quote suggests that Scrooge sees the new beginning given to him by the exchange the three ghosts gave to him. This quote is spoken by Scrooge and he states he is overjoyed to realise that he has been given another chance to change his ways and make amends for his past behaviour of avarice and greed, This is a stark contrast to his previous misanthropy and selfishness, as Dickens use this quote to juxtapose Scrooge before his encounter with the ghosts.

• Repetition of personal pronouns could suggest he is free from the burden of wealth and his lack of care of material goods.

• Phrase "light as a feather"- suggests Scrooge is no longer weighed down by his sins, could reference Marley's ghost being weighed down by his sins.

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” analysis

• “Honour Christmas”- Scrooge aligns himself with the spirit of kindness and charity that the holiday symbolises, Christmas as a time of compassion that should influence behaviour year-round.

• “In my heart”- imagery suggests change is deeply personal, symbolising inner transformation rather than temporary or outward display, indicates Scrooge’s transformation will be lasting and sincere, highlighting remorse and commitment to kindness.

• This statement marks climax of Scrooge’s character arc, where he reaches a final decision to reform his ways, symbolising his complete transformation.

Fred quotes

• “I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him”

• “He had so heated himself with rapid walking [...] all in a glow”

• “Merry Christmas Uncle! God save you!”

“Merry Christmas Uncle! God save you!” analysis

• Fred’s cheerful greeting, despite Scrooge’s negativity, shows unconditional goodwill

• “God save you!”- humorously implies Scrooge is spiritually lost - Fred frames Christmas as a time of salvation, not just festivity

• Fred used as a moral compass early on, making Scrooge’s later redemption more powerful

“He had so heated himself with rapid walking [...] all in a glow” analysis

• “Glow” shows how goodness and positivity radiate outward, almost like a moral warmth

• “Rapid walking” suggests eagerness - he wants to share his joy, contrasting Scrooge’s selfish isolation

• Good people act on their kindness not just feel it

• Heat semantics contrast Scrooge as “He carried his own low temperature always about him”

“I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him” analysis

• Fred’s “pity” highlights that Scrooge is more to be mourned than hated - a victim of his own isolation

• His forgiveness is not dependent on Scrooge’s response; reflection of Fred’s unchanging goodness

• Dickens uses Fred as a mouthpiece to argue that love and patience are revolutionary acts in selfish society

Fezziwig quote

• “He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome… The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”- (spoken by Scrooge about Fezziwig)

“He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome… The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”- (spoken by Scrooge about Fezziwig) analysis

• This quote reflects Scrooge’s realisation during his visit to the past, where he sees his former employer, Mr. Fezziwig. Fezziwig is a symbol of kindness, generosity, and moral leadership in contrast to Scrooge’s cold, profit-driven attitude.

• The repetition of “happy” and “unhappy” highlights how a leader’s attitude directly affects others’ well-being. Dickens uses a balanced structure (“light or burdensome”) to emphasise that Fezziwig chooses to make work joyful, not miserable.

• The phrase “as if it cost a fortune” is ironic—it suggests that emotional generosity is just as valuable as material wealth, despite costing nothing. This contrasts sharply with Scrooge’s obsession with money.

Belle quote

• “Another idol has displaced me… a golden one.”

“Another idol has displaced me… a golden one.” analysis

• “Idol”: A powerful religious metaphor. Belle implies that Scrooge worships money as if it were a deity, suggesting moral corruption.

• “Golden one”: Refers directly to gold (money), highlighting how his priorities have become purely material.

• This moment shows how Scrooge’s character has changed — from hopeful and loving to obsessed with wealth.

• Dickens uses Belle’s calm but heartbreaking words to make the reader sympathise with her and condemn Scrooge’s choices.

Bob Cratchit quotes

• “The clerk’s fire was so very much smaller that it looked like only one coal.”

• “I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”

“The clerk’s fire was so very much smaller that it looked like only one coal.” analysis

• “so very much smaller”- symbolises Bob Cratchit’s poor working conditions and the lack of care from Scrooge, stark contrast between Scrooge’s wealth and Bob’s hardship.

• “One coal”-  Represents the meagerness of Bob’s circumstances, reflecting how Scrooge’s stinginess affects those around him, particularly his employee.

“I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!” analysis

• “Founder of the Feast”- Despite Scrooge’s mistreatment of Bob, Bob remains humble and grateful, showing his positive and forgiving nature, character morally superior to Scrooge’s greed.

• Irony- provides so little, yet Bob still toasts to him, reinforcing Bob’s kindness and optimistic view of life.

Tiny Tim quotes

• “God bless us every one”

• “I see a vacant seat… the child will die”

“God bless us every one” analysis

• “God bless us”- Tiny Tim’s words represent his kindness and hopefulness, even in the face of hardship, a message of universal goodwill, emphasising the importance of charity and community.

• repetition of this line throughout the novel highlights Tiny Tim’s significance as a moral compass, his simple, heartfelt wish standing in contrast to Scrooge’s initial selfishness.

"I see a vacant seat... the child will die" analysis

• Adjective "vacant"- creates sense of solemn and loss as it suggests Tiny Tim would leave the world soon.

• Juxtaposition of Scrooge's attitude at the start of the novella to stave 3- Scrooge change his views towards the poor and less fortunate; he stated that he didn't care about the poor and contributed enough by paying taxes, however now he wants to help Tiny Tim live.

• “Vacant seat”- imagery, empty seat symbolises Tiny Tim’s fragile health and impending death if Scrooge does not intervene, evokes sense of urgency and emotional distress- causing Scrooge to feel a sense of guilt and culpability

• “The child will die”- blunt statement, creates powerful emotional impact, shows stark reality of poverty, potential consequences of societal neglect.

• Short sentence- could suggests the tragic short life of Tiny Tim

• "Vacant seat"- could suggest Tiny Tim being irreplaceable because of his outgoing and cheerful personality.

Ghost of Christmas Present

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

• “Come in! and know me better, man!”

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

• Semantic field "jolly", "cheery", "joyful"- shows Christmas time should be a time of celebration and festivities, not one of austerity and greed.

• Adjective "jolly"- shows Christmas as a time for people to come together and share generosity.

• This quote suggest the way Christmas should be celebrated in the eyes of the ghost of Christmas present. The ghost symbolises the 'Christmas ideal' and the contrast of austerity and asceticism of Scrooge to the Christmas spirit. The quote also suggests the Cratchits celebrate Christmas despite being poor.

• Noun "giant" could show the large celebrations that Dickens sees as the 'Christmas ideals', with family and friends coming together to celebrate.

• “Jolly giant”- Ghost of Christmas Present embodies the festive spirit of Christmas, representing warmth, generosity, and abundance.

• “Glowing torch”- Symbolises enlightenment and spreading of joy. Motif of light: GOCPresent here to give more knowledge. Torches generally have fire, foreshadows a more intense knowledge (Ignorance and Want)

• “Cheery voice and joyful air”- contrast sharply with Scrooge’s cold, miserly nature, amplifies the transformation Scrooge needs to undergo.

“Come in! and know me better, man!” analysis

• “Know me better”- The Ghost invites Scrooge to embrace the spirit of Christmas, signifying Scrooge’s opportunity for self-awareness and moral growth.

• The welcoming tone represents the ghosts openness and generosity, which Scrooge is initially unfamiliar with, due to his self-isolation, and callous persona.

Scrooge during change quotes

• “Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!”

"Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!" Analysis

• Regret- used as a tool to move the plot of the novella along its final denouement, which is Scrooge's eventual transformation.

• Last remark before the ghost disappears- leaves powerful message to Scrooge as he faces guilt of remorse

• Exclamation marks- reflects conviction of Scrooge and shows the work of the ghosts being complete

• The “stone” refers to Scrooge’s own gravestone, revealed by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

• The verb “sponge away” is deeply symbolic — it suggests that Scrooge wants to erase or cleanse the future that has been written for him by his past greed.

• A metaphor for repentance, this shows his genuine desperation to change. He’s no longer just afraid of death — he now wants to live a better life.

• The interjection “Oh” and the imperative “tell me” reflect a tone of pleading and emotional urgency.

• It marks the turning point in Scrooge’s character arc — from a miser to someone ready to transform.

• Metaphor "sponge away"- could suggest Scrooge's desire to separate his past from his future as he looks to part ways with his eventual downfall and doomed fate.

Ghost of Christmas Past quotes

• "like a child... yet like like an old man"

• "Would you so soon put out the light I give?"

• “These are but shadows of the things that have been.”

• “‘I am the ghost of Christmas Past.’ ‘Long past?’ Inquired Scrooge… ‘No. Your past.’”

"like a child... yet like like an old man" analysis

• Juxtaposition of "child" and "Old man"- could suggest age and wisdom of the ghost

• Noun "child"- shows innocence Scrooge had before wealth and the change to his outlook of life after he gained wealth.

• Simile- comparison of the child and old man shows the youth and joy compared to wisdom and old age, symbolising the ghost as a teacher, showing Scrooge the steps to take towards benevolence.

• Quote suggests the ghost of Christmas past being seen as a paradox, as ghosts are usually seen as part of the afterlife, however, this ghost is changing the present. Ghost could represent te past and also the innocence of Scrooge's childhood. The ghost foreshadows the inevitable transformation and hits power to influence a character with a callous nature, like scrooge.

• Contradicts Marley's ghost where suffering and regret is shown, whereas the ghost of Christmas past shows hope; could also show although the past may never leave you, but it is still possible to change the course of one's future.

"Would you so soon put out the light I give?" Analysis

• Metaphor "light I give"- suggests the benevolence of the ghost and the benevolence that was once in Scrooge.

• Noun "light"- represents a new beginning, but also Scrooges pessimistic attitude to change. Could also show the 'light within darkness', as a reference to Scrooge.

• Rhetorical question - suggests that Scrooge is forced to reflect on himself and rectify his wrongdoings.

• this quote suggests that the ghost of Christmas past is trying to help Scrooge for the better but his pessimist attitude gets the better of him, but the ghosts encourages him to look deeper within himself.

• The quote foreshadows a change in Scrooge as he looks to his past to see what he has done to himself.

• Noun "light"- could suggest Scrooge is 'blinded' by his own wealth or metaphorically being 'isolated' from light.

“These are but shadows of the things that have been.” analysis

• “Shadows”- metaphorically represent memories, intangible and unchangeable, emphasises how Scrooge cannot alter his past, only learn from it.

• “Shadows” are formed when light is blocked: symbolises how Scrooge has blocked light from his life; willingly or otherwise

• “have been”- highlights the inevitability of the past, foreshadowing his regret driven desire for redemption

“‘I am the ghost of Christmas Past.’ ‘Long past?’ Inquired Scrooge… ‘No. Your past.’” analysis

• “Light”- symbolises knowledge, truth, and moral insight. The Ghost offers Scrooge enlightenment, initial reluctance to embrace it highlights his resistance to change.

• The metaphor of putting out the light shows Scrooge’s fear of self-reflection, preferring to remain in ignorance rather than face his own avarice and lack of compassion.