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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are some key quotes from the Preface? |
“Ghostly little book... Ghost of an Idea” “Haunt their houses pleasantly and no one wish to lay it.” |
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What is the importance of the preface? |
Tells the readers that Dickens is going to be the narrator. Introduces theme of ghosts. Highlights that the ideas he will convey are important and not to be “laid” or forgotten. |
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Summarise Stave 1 |
Scrooge shown to be cold hearted and mean. 4 visitors, nephew Fred, 2 charity collectors and carol singer. Rude and dismissive to all. Makes clerk work in cold. Marley appears and warns Scrooge what awaits him if he doesn’t change his ways and tells him of 3 ghosts. |
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Key Quotes from Stave 1 |
“Old Marley was as dead as a door nail” “clerk’s fire was so very much smaller” “Good afternoon!” “What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.” “tight-fisted hand at the grindstone” “Solitary as an oyster” “A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!” “Hard and sharp as flint” “decrease the surplus population” “fellow passengers to the grave” “Cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses” |
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Importance of Stave 1 |
Establishes not only Scrooge and Marley’s friendship, but Scrooge’s fundamental loneliness. They were each other’s only friend. Symbolise how Marley was obsessed with money, like Scrooge. Filled with superlatives and vivid descriptions of Scrooge’s negative qualities. Sets him up for transformation. Fred generously and authentically invites Scrooge for Christmas, he could have family and love if he chose to. |
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Analysis of “Solitary as an oyster” |
- Suggests a hidden pearl. - Isolated and closed off from outside world and human society - Concentrates on producing wealth -Biblical reference- ‘pearl without price’ |
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Summarise Stave 2 |
Ghost of Xmas past- shows Scrooge his unhappy childhood and late happy sister. Fezziwig’s ball- Scrooge notices how youthful and happy he was, despite it costing little. Observes his engagement breakdown with Belle, valued money more than love, and her lively family, what he missed out on. |
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Key Quotes from Stave 2 |
“Strange figure- like a child:yet not so like a child as like an old man” “fresh green holly in its hand” “bright, clear jet of light” “a solitary child, neglected by his friends” “There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night, I should have liked to have given him something; that’s all” “You are quite a woman, little Fan!” |
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Importance of Stave 2 |
Scrooge’s unwillingness to face past suggests there is sadness he finds painful, humanises Scrooge a little. Scrooge tries to avoid this by apologising and begging, but the ghost firmly ensures he sees the past. Scrooge must see past mistakes and their consequences to change for better. Unlocks side of him that he has apparently forgotten. Shows him how he used to be excited and lively at Christmas. These feelings are foreign to him now as he has buried it so deep. Still moved by scenes of past and gives in to emotion. |
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Key Theme- Time |
Clocks often striking, emphasising passage of time. Has little time left to change his ways. Yet 3 visits occur outside bounds of time- supernatural, Scrooge sleeps from night to night, implying endless purgatory he may end up in. |
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Key theme- family |
“Family display of glass. Two tumblers and a custard cup without a handle |
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Key theme- Transformation/Redemption |
Saying “Humbug”, rejects all compassion and celebration associated with Christmas. Feels ashamed when 1st Ghost uses his own words against him. See him beginning to wish he could change. Becomes generous and full of life. Welcomed into homes of family and friends, delights readers with transformation. |
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Marley’s Ghost |
Appears to warn Scrooge to change his ways and tell him of forthcoming spirits. Described as awful fate to forever walk earth enchained by symbols of his greed. Verbalises Dickens’ message. |
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Characters- Scrooge |
Portrayed harshly at first. Misanthropic- dislikes mankind and avoids society. Name is portmanteau: screw and gouge both connotations of force and pain. Vilified from start. Victorian slang for mean person, (screw?) |
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Character features- Fred |
Embodies joy and sharing of Christmas. “I’ll keep my Christmas humour to the last”- insists he will stay cheerful despite his uncles determined unpleasant manner. See his insistent cheeriness through his dialogue “Without an angry word”- despite being treated disrespectfully, maintains his positive and enthusiastic character. Foil to Scrooge. Compared to warmth, “all a glow”, “ruddy”, whereas Scrooge compared to cold, “frosty rime”, “carried his own low temperature”. |
