a christmas carol quotes

Scrooge's Characterization

a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner

General Redemption Quote

God bless us every one

Scrooge's Vow

I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year round. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.

Scrooge's Transformation

I am not the man I was.

Scrooge's Legacy

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.

The Three Spirits

The spirits of all three shall strive with me.

Final Characterization of Scrooge

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

Scrooge's Malthusian View

Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?

The Cratchit Family

They were not a handsome family… but they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another.

Tiny Tim's Blessing

God bless us, every one!

The Ghost's Warning for Tiny Tim

If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.

The Opening Line

Marley was dead: to begin with.

Marley's Regret

Mankind was my business.

Ignorance and Want

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

The Spirits' Speed

The Spirits have done it all in one night.

Flint Simile

Hard and sharp as flint.

Scrooge's Miserliness

Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.

Marley's Chain

I wear the chain I forged in life… The chain was made up of cash boxes… ledgers… heavy purses.

Scrooge's Childhood

A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still – Scrooge sobbed.

Marley on the Human Spirit

It is required of every man … that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death.

Isolation Simile

Solitary as an oyster.

Ghost of Christmas Past Description

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

Belle's Reason for Leaving Scrooge

Another idol has displaced me.. a golden one.

Description of Ignorance and Want

yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish….

Pathetic Fallacy / Weather Transformation

cold, bleak, biting weather. Then, no fog, no mist. clear, bright, jovial.

Scrooge's Joy (Stave 5)

I am 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 don't know anything. I'm quite a baby.

Bob Cratchit's Working Conditions

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

Scrooge's Distress (Ghost of Christmas Past)

No more! Show me no more!

Ghost of Christmas Present Description

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

The Cratchits' View of Scrooge

Scrooge was the ogre of the family and the mention of his name cast a dark shadow.

Scrooge's Reaction to Mr. Fezziwig

Bless his heart; it’s Fezziwig alive again!

Little Fan's Affection

I have come to bring you home dear brother.

Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Description

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

Scrooge's Fear of the Final Spirit

Ghost of the Future. I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.

Scrooge's Epiphany at His Grave

Scrooge crept towards it, trembling, and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, Ebenezer Scrooge.

The Thieves' Justification (Stave 4)

Who’s the worse for the loss of a few things like these? Not a dead man I suppose.

The Consequences of Scrooge's Isolation

He’d have had somebody to look after him when he was struck by Death.

Scrooge’s Nostalgia

Strange to have forgotten it for so many years.

Scrooge's Early Hatred of Christmas

Every idiot who goes around with Merry Xmas on his lips… should be buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Scrooge's Lack of Social Responsibility

It’s not my business.

Scrooge's Redemption (Bob Cratchit)

I'll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family.

Scrooge's Developing Empathy (Stave 3)

Have they no refuge or resource? cried Scrooge.

Scrooge's Cynical View of Christmas

What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer.

The Dignity of the Poor (Mrs. Cratchit)

Mrs Cratchit made the gravy… Master Peter mashed the potatoes… Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce.

The Cratchits' Gratitude

nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family.

Bob's Love for Tiny Tim

Bob held his withered little hand in his, as if he loved the child.

Bob Cratchit's Toast

I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!

Fred's View of Christmas

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

Fred's Assessment of Scrooge's Miserliness

His wealth is of no use to him. He don’t do any good with it. He don’t make himself comfortable with it.

Fezziwig's Warehouse Atmosphere

The warehouse was as snug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ball-room.

The Value of Benevolence (Fezziwig)

He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome. The happiness he gives, is as if it cost a fortune.

Scrooge's First Sign of Regret

There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that’s all.

The Consequences of Scrooge's Isolation

He’d have had somebody to look after him when he was struck by Death.

Scrooge's Malthusian View

Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?

Importance of Family and Its Centrality to People’s Lives (The Cratchits)

Mrs Cratchit made the gravy… Master Peter mashed the potatoes… Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce.

Bob's Love for Tiny Tim - Death and Loss

My little, little child! cried Bob. My little child.