GCSE English Literature [AQA] - A Christmas Carol

Give the missing word and analysis of the following quotation:
"As solitary as an __________"

"As solitary as an oyster"
- A simile is used to compare Scrooge to an oyster at the bottom of the ocean
- Foreshadows Scrooge's change as oysters contain a beautiful, soft pearl inside

Give the missing words and meaning of the following quotation:
"Are there no __________? And the union __________?"

"Are there no prisons? And the union workhouses?"
- Scrooge's ignorance and lack of caring is demonstrated as he acts as though it is not his responsibility to care for the poor
- This links to handling of poverty at the time of Dickens, and links to his message of treating the poor well

Give the missing word and meaning of the following quotation:
"Hard and sharp as __________"

"Hard and sharp as flint"
- The adjective "hard" shows his uncaring nature towards others
- The noun "flint" suggests that Scrooge could strike out if messed with
- A simile is used to compare him to flint - a common material that could insinuate that Scrooge represents the masses

Give the missing words and meaning of the following quotation:
"He carried his own __________ __________ about with him"

"He carried his own low temperature about with him"
- Pathetic fallacy is used to show that Scrooge leads a life of perpetual misery, comparing his emotions to the negativity of cold weather
- The verb "carried" could suggest that Scrooge is content with this distancing and constant misery

Give the missing words and meaning of the following quotation:
"I am as light as a __________, I am as happy as an __________" - Scrooge

"I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel" - Scrooge
- The simile of a "feather" suggests Scrooge has been lightened of his sins
- The religious imagery of "angel" could suggest that Scrooge has been reborn with newfound Christian ways

Give the missing words and meaning of the following quotation:
"I wear the __________ I forged in __________" - Marley

"I wear the chain I forged in life" - Marley
- The "chain" is symbolic of Marley's sins on Earth
- The verb "forged" links to the Industrial Revolution at the time of Dickens, showing that he has only himself to blame

Give the missing word and meaning of the following quotation:
"God bless us, __________" - Tiny Tim

"God bless us, everyone" - Tiny Tim
- Religious imagery with the noun "God" links to the idea of Scrooge being reborn a blessed man with Christian values
- The pronoun "everyone" portrays the all-encompassing nature of Christmas

Give the missing word and meaning of the following quotation:
"A __________, little cell"

"A dismal, little cell"
- The adjectives "dismal" and "little" represent Scrooge's mistreatment of his worker
- The adjectives also represent the inescapable confinement of poverty for Bob Cratchit

Give the missing word and meaning of the following quotation:
"These held the hot stuff as well as __________ __________ would have done"

"These held the hot stuff as well as golden goblets would have done"
- The connotations of value with the adjective "golden" emphasise the Cratchit's happiness, presenting Dicken's message that Christmas can be celebrated by anyone
- The alliteration of "golden goblets" further emphasises the value, linking to the value of Christmas itself

Give the missing word and meaning of the following quotation:
"Gain __________ you" - Belle

"Gain engrosses you" - Belle
- The verb "gain" reflects Scrooge's incessant desire for money
- The verb "engrosses" suggests that he has been completely consumed by his greed, and he is overcome with sin