Our complete Blog posts on A Christmas Carol:
A Christmas Carol
First sentence in the text is about death – introduces a
negative atmosphere and the theme of death. A negative beginning.
In the first page there are many words in the lexical field
of death.
There are multiple references to death.
Repetition of Marley
was dead. Dead as a doornail – simile.
Repetition of dead occurs often in the first page, even
including the superlative “deadest”. This highlights the presence of death and
further the morbid atmosphere.
Dickens is highlighting the current awful situation Scrooge
is in, also is he suggesting that the Victorian era is morbid and depressing.
The word choice of “unhallowed” suggests sinful but also
links to the theme of religion.
Repetition of sole, sole = only. Introduces the theme of
loneliness.
In the first page alone the word dead is included 6 times.
Furthermore the word “sole” is repeated five times furthering
the theme of loneliness.
The fact Scrooge does not spend the money to paint over
Marley’s name and allows himself to be referred to as Scrooge highlights is his
lack of emotion, he is emotionally “as dead as a doornail”. He is reactionless when confronted with his
partner’s name, and at the same time his death.
Scrooge at beginning: “squeezing, wrenching…old sinner”. List
of terrible attributes and he is called a sinner showing..
All of the verbs in the list are negative but also
uncomfortable highlighting Scrooge’s discomfort both in himself and in society
at large.
(This is a book about human fallibility)
“solitary as an oyster”
Just as an oyster is hard in appearance, fragile internally,
lives alone but over a period of time make pearls so Scrooge is incredibly
different internally and externally, and over time he has the capability to give
precious resources to society. The metaphor highlights the striking difference
in Scrooge’s interior and exterior but also his capabilities.
09/01/18
At the beginning of the text Scrooge is described in a
grotesque manner “eyes red…”, he is also described repulsively. At the start of the text Scrooge is a symbol
of capitalism.
Scrooge is associated with the cold, this has literal and
metaphorical meanings.
“External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge” this
links/ reinforces “solitary as an oyster”. Scrooge is separate from society and
Dickens highlights his lack of connection to those around him. Perhaps Dickens
is implying that the Victorian era was self centred.
Repetition of “no” highlighting Scrooge’s negativity.
The fact that “no beggars implored him to bestow a
trifle” - this shows that even those who
are desperate cannot or do not want to involve themselves with Scrooge, he is
abhorred.
Scrooge lives totally apart from others ad all walks of life,
even innocent children. He is also linked with evil.
“To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all
human sympathy to keep its distance” firstly perhaps Dicken is making a larger
comment about Victorian society. Is it a
comment about the gulf between the haves and have nots. It also makes the empathetic
reader wonder why he does this.
The word choice of “edge”..
The first stave is full of pathetic fallacy e.g. “cold,
bleak, biting weather”.
“Once upon a time…phantoms..fog pouring in” all references to
the supernatural and create an eerie atmosphere and suspense.
“dismal little cell” this is where Bob Cratchit works – The
word choice of cell connotes prison suggesting his life is like a prison when
at work with Scrooge and he has little liberty.
The fires, and the huge difference in size, symbolise the
difference in society between those with money and those without. Interestingly
though Scrooge does not give himself a large fire, this highlights that he is
not lavish and luxurious but unhappy and not only treats others badly but does
not treat himself well – he does not even enjoy his own money.
Bob Cratchit wear a “white comforter”. White is associated
with purity, innocence, goodness thus suggesting Bob Cratchit is all of these.
There is a strong juxtaposition (contrast) between the
description of Scrooge and his nephew.
In his conversation with his nephew Scrooge shows he believes
happiness comes from money. Dickens however shows, through Scrooge’s miserable
description and state, that this is not the case.
Scrooge at the start: “every idiot…should be boiled with his
own pudding” compare this to Scrooge once redeemed.
Scrooge’s behaviour during Christmastime shows how hardened
he has become and bitter.
“think of people below them as fellow passengers to the
grave”. The views of Scrooge’s nephew are representative of Dickens and contrast
greatly with Scrooge at the start.
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Bob Cratchit’s workplace is referred to as a “tank”. This
metaphor highlights that just as a tank is…(oppressive) so his workplace is…
At the start of the text we are not told of Bob Crathcit’s
name, he is reffered to as “the clerk” etc. This dehumanises Bob, possibly
highlighting the many (poor people) who were dehumanised in society and not
cared for.
The word choice of “growled” highlights Scrooge’ animalistic
nature as animals growl. Furthermore animals growl when they are scared or
feeling threatened, as the topic of the conversation is love, this highlights
that Scrooge is afraid and feels threatened by love.
“it is a time [Christmas] when want is keenly felt, and
abundance rejoices” this highlights the extremities in society.
Scrooge talks of “decreasing the surplus population” this is
business speak highlighting Scrooge’s capitalist concerns and mindset. He is
utterly lacking in empathy or sympathy.
bell from the church “peeping down on Scrooge”. This
highlights that God is always watching, and Scrooge cannot escape his fate, his
actions are always being monitored.
The pathetic fallacy constantly present heightens tension.
The word choice of “ragged” suggest being in a state…
Dickens i constantly reminding us of the terrible conditions
of the poor.
The pitiful description of the “owner of one scant
nose…gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold” highlights Dickins desire to make
the reader aware of the terrible conditions and hardships faced by so many and
their heartbreaking conditions.
Dickens goes to great lengths to highlight the difference in
outer wear between Scrooge and Bob Craitchit – Bob does not even have a coat
(yet wears his “white comforter”).
Once again Scrooge “growled”. This reinforces his animalistic
nature.
When describing Scrooge eating Dickens repeats the word
choice of melancholy.
1. a feeling of
pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
The word choice of melancholy has suggestions of a heavy
sadness, of being in a state of confusion, lacking clarity. Furthermore the
repetition of the word highlights Scrooge’s sorry state.
Contrasting this with Bob Cratchitt’s actions on leaving work
without a coat, they are far from melancholy. Happiness is not linked to money.
Even the location of Scrooge’s home is lonely and “gloomy”.
His home means he is physically surrounded by business and capitalism.
At the beginning of the text Scrooge is so cut off from
humanity and cold that he is able to live in the Marley’s old home and still
not have thought about him in 7 years. This clearly shows Scrooge places no
value or currency in human relationships.
At the beginning Dickens refers to Scrooge and Marley as
crustacians. Just as crustacians are…
“darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it” – literal and
methaporical meaning. It is easier to be unkind and selfish than it is to be
caring.
P 17 repetition of “nobody” highlighting his utter aloneness.
The description of a boweless Marley is grotesque thus
highlighting his grotesque character, the reader is disgusted and appalled.
Also it links to the idea of being inhuman.
The description of Marley is pitiful but a clear
warning showing us Scrooge’s fate. “shook its
chain with such a dismal and appalling sound”. The word choice of “it”
dehumanises Marley and suggests he is a thing, an object.
IF SCROOGE DOESN’T CHANGE HE WILL BE THIS ALSO
The constant reference to “chains2 when Marley is present
suggest imprisonment, slavery..
“I wear the chain I forged in life” – what chains does
Dickens feel are being forged in 19th century Victorian England?
3 spirits link to the holy trinity
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Stave 2
“ferret eyes” Just as ferrets’ eyes are beady, unnatural,
small and shrewd so Scrooge is beady, unkind and unnatural.
First ghost
“like a child…like an old man” – juxtaposition.
The descriptions of the 3 ghosts become more and more
grotesque. What is this saying about society?
The first ghost is very much in white, The colour white is
associated with purity, innocence, goodness and perhaps is a nod to these
positive qualities present in the young Scrooge. Furthermore Dickens describes
his clothing as “purest white” The word choice of pure…furthermore the use of
the superlative highlights…
Also the choice of tunic, a religious robe links the ghost of
Christmas past with goodness and holiness.
There is slight juxtaposition present in the description of
the ghost perhaps hinting at the precarious nature of human life and our
frailty to sin, furthered by Victorian society and capitalism.
“you are one of those whose passions made this cap.” - Scrooge is referred to as a cap blocking the
“beam of light”. HUGE METAPHORICAL MEANINGS.
The beam of light represents possibility and opportunity
however the cap shows the blocking of this, Scrooge made “forged” this cap.
reclamation
rɛkləˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: reclamation; plural noun: reclamations
1. the process of
claiming something back or of reasserting a right.
"the reclamation of our shared history"
o
the cultivation of waste land or land formerly under water.
“I am mortal…and liable to fall” – this statement has
religious implications. Dickens clearly feels that Victorian society has
‘fallen’.
Dickens frequently uses pathetic fallacy to highlight the
feelings/ significance of a part.
Scrooge’s childhood is the antithesis of his present
surroundings.
When he travels to his past, Scrooge is flooded with emotions
and then questions this.
“a solitary child” = Scrooge, links with “solitary as an
oyster”. The repetitions of “solitary”…
Furthermore Dickens is highlighting what happens when society
ignores people.
“poor forgotten self”
Ali baba has “foreign garments” and a foreign name, perhaps
suggesting that his kindness, warmth and love is foreign.
Scrooge says “it’s too late” but this book does not have a
cyclical structure highlighting redemption is possible.
2father is so much kinder than he used to be” this ambiguity suggests
a difficult, abusive childhood with his father. There was clearly a difficult
relationship between father and son.
Scrooge’s schoolmaster IS ALSO HORRIBLE: WORD CHOICES OF
“FEROCIOUS/ GLARED AND TERRIBLE” all sharing a lexical field of aggression etc.
Notice how Dickens portrays the city: “coaches battled for
the way”.
There is a total juxtaposition between Fezziwig and Scrooge’s
business.
Scrooge was under the tutelage of Fezziwig. Hi experiences
with Fezziwig etc. are the ‘grains of sand’ which help Scrooge produce the
‘pearl’ at the end of the book.
The light from Fezziwig’s calves is similar to the beam of
light on the head of the Ghost of Christmas Past, showing the goodness in both.
Compare how Fezziwig treats his workers to how Scrooge treat
Bob Cratchit.
“the bright faces of his former self” – Scrooge was good and
happy. What happened?
“A small matter…to make these folks so full of gratitude”
- Dickens here is also commenting and
hinting that in society small acts of kindness go a long way.
Contrast “light/ heavy” etc showing the incredible
differences that human interactions can have and make.
“I should like to ba able to say a word or two to my clerk
just now” – Scrooge realises he needs to change and also realises how he has
been abusing his power (consider for AO3 Poor Law Amendment Act)
“eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye” Scrooge in the
prime of his life. All share the connotations of wanting more, of being unhappy
with one’s lot.
“another idol has displaced me” – Scrooge’s former love says
this but it is also the language of the ten commandments - therefore highlighting Scrooge’s lack of
religion and love. He has given these up for money.
“the master passion Gain , engrosses you” Personified Gain
but making it a proper noun.
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“no more cried Scrooge” the word choice of cried shows he is
clearly affected.
Scrooge thought about his love’s daughter and thought of how
she might have “been a spring time in the haggard winter of his life”.
Haggard =
1. looking exhausted
and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.
This metaphor and juxtaposition
keenly shows Scrooge’s situation, but also what a daughter would have meant to
him.
Repetition of alone.
“broken voice” track his voice , how
does Scrooge speak at the start of the text. Compare this to “growl”
CONSIDER THE LESSONS / POINTS RAISED
BY THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS
Ghost of Christmas Present –
juxtaposition between excessive clothing and “bareness”.
05/02/18
The overwhelming idea in the
appearance of the ghost of Christmas Past of “white” – thus suggesting purity
and innocence. The beam of light is significant as is the cap “Scrooge forged”.
Scrooge had hope and possibility, but
left this, and Belle, to accumulate more money.
Compare the hems of the garments:
fresh flowers and white fur.
Repetition of “bare”
Holly wreath with icicles. Holly
wreath is suggestive of the crucifixion. (Is Scrooge crucifying himself with
his present?). Icicles is suggestive of
extreme coldness and of being hardened.
Just like the “ample folds” of the
ghost of Christmas present, Scrooge has “ample” material in terms of finances,
however he is “bare” underneath. There is a juxtaposition in the clothing and
the lack of anything else of the Spirit just as there is a juxtaposition
between the financial wealth of Scrooge and the emotional and moral poverty he
is in. He is vulnerable and ‘naked’. The spirit wear battle materials but that
are empty.
“more than eighteen
hundred…tremendous family to provide for”.
Scrooge’s response to the Phantom’s family number shows how he views
humans – they are things that take resources, and so it shows he views people
negatively and as taking away from his material wealth.
Scrooge is “submissive” to the second
ghost showing his journey to redemption has begun. It began when he realised he
wished to have another opportunity to speak to his clerk.
In the present day the weather is
“severe” – this use of pathetic fallacy highlights Dicken’s view of the
“severe” Victorian society. Compare this weather to that when they travelled
back (“the darkness had vanished, clear cold winter day”)
Page 62 – revolting description of
Victorian atmosphere. “sooty” “choking” etc
“Spanish onions, shining in the
fatness of their growth like Spanish friars”.
Repetition of Spanish – in Victorian
era Spanish food would be hugely expensive and costly to import, the repetition
highlights the foreign nature of the onions. Highlighting the excessive
grotesqueness of those who lived a life of luxury and opulence.
Dicken’s decadent descriptions and
listing of the food available for purchase show the greed and excessiveness of
the rich, it then, due to his choice to then show the poor waiting in line for
food donations- this juxtaposition further highlights the gulf between the rich
and poor.
Consider the underlying messages
about the rich and poor that Dickens is giving through the contrasting food
‘situations’.
“tumbling out into the street in
their apoplectic opulence”.
“Spanish onions, shining in their
fatness of their growth like Spanish friars” – references to religion perhaps
further being critical of the so called Christian Victorian society.
Dickens often refers to the fatness
and largeness of certain people – the capitalists.
Dickens described the fruits that are
mere decorations “pears and apples clustered high in blooming pyramids”.
There is an almost cruelty in the
decorations and descriptions of the food which are deliberately there to
entrance people – but many would never be able to afford.
Dickens here (pages 63 – 64) uses
very long sentences which are crammed with lists of all of the food – this
structural device furthers highlights the extravagance of the foods on offer to
the rich in the Victorian era.
The beginning of the paragraph with
“but” shows there is a change, and we are about to see how the other half live.
People are valued by how much they
earn.
The Cratchit’s meal (compare with
food in shops)
One goose for multiple people. Shows
the lack of resources and sharing.
Compare the shoppers who forgot their
purchases with the Cratchits response to the goose.
Also compare the Cratchit’s elegant
movement to the shoppers. Dickens is
suggesting a beauty in the Cratchits through the description of their movements
compared with the shoppers.
The facts that the Cratchit’s repair
and try to brighten their clothes, and tend them, show their lack of greed and also their ability to accept and try to
improve their situation with very little resources.
The care and concern for Martha shows that people matter more to the
Cratchits than food.
The fact that the young boys listen to the “pudding singing”… Dickens
personifies the food to…
Why does Dicken use the word Tiny constantly for Tim – is he highlighting
his insignificance in society? Also it is emotive language that evokes sympathy
and possible pity.
Dickens juxtaposes the physical size of the Capitalists and the “tiny”
size of tim – is he highlighting the societal inequality and also the unequal
sharing of resources.
“crammed spoons into their mouth, lest they should shriek for goose
before their turn” – tragic but shows their respect for others, and highlights the
rarity that food is to them.
“eked out by the apple sauce and mashed potatoes”. The word choice of
eked out suggests the lack of resources etc.
Even with the little they, the Cratchits are appreciative. They are not
greedy.
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Word for
the Cratchits
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Tiny
tiny
little
atom
Tiny Tim’s “withered” hand
“half of
half”
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There is a real sense these people are not hoarding the planet or
societal resources. The Cratchits represent the poor.
The Cratchits pay attention to the sounds and smells of the food also
and enjoy it. Dickens uses hyperbole when talking about the pudding to
highlight how importance, rare and incredible and valued it is.
Pudding – ”small pudding for a large family”.
Bob’s positive perception – “called a circle, meaning half a one”
The Cratchits family wealth: “two tumbler and a custard cup without a
handle” – this is a symbol of their wealth and how they are viewed in society
as people’s status is made up of their possessions. Their possessions are
pitiful.
“if none of these shadows remain unaltered by the future”
This is perhaps Dicken’s key message in the
whole book to Victorian society at that time (1843)
“the insect on the leaf pronouncing on the
too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust” – Dickens highlights the
irony of the insects argument. At the start of the book, Scrooge was the
insect.
Fires are a symbol – the good have blazing
fires in horrendous environment conditions, it is a symbol of their spiritual
and emotional warmth and goodness.
Dickens honours the working class by showing Scrooge sailors, miners and
other key working class groups who ‘turned’ the economy and helped Victorian
society run and prosper but they did not become prosperous – the rich did. Dickens
is highlighting the unfairness.
Want and Ignorance:
Stave 4: The Last of the Spirits
Third spirit: “shrouded in a deep black garment” – word of shrouded suggests deliberate concealment of a bad
thing. Black is associated with evil, death…
The last spirit is the least like human form showing perhaps that if
Scrooge does not change he is inhumane.
The outstretched hand could be a symbol of society’s greed. The phantom
is linked with the night indeed it can’t “detach” form it.
Scrooge’s life is a symbol of Victorian society. If he doesn’t change
then society is doomed as it becomes more inhumane and associated with evil.
Note Scrooge’s changing reaction to the ghosts.
The third ghost is summed up in “black” and being an outstretched hand.
The businessmen and women we meet in the final stanza are a grotesque
and damning portrayal of capitalist and its ‘winners’.
One of the Scrooge’s contemporaries is described as “fat man with a
monstrous chin”. Dickens uses a metaphor to portray the man, just as a monster
is……
Remember Dicken’s use of fatness to put forth ideas of overconsumption
of the rich.
Contrast the constant allusions and use of lexical field denoting small
when Dickens writes of Tim and the Cratchitts compared with the opposite and
the use of a lexical field denoting largeness when he discusses Scrooge’s
contemporaries. Dickens puts forth the idea of excess when writing about these
people.
Dickens depicts the men in the most grotesque way; they are physically
repulsive.
“a red-faced gentleman with a pendulous
excrescence on the end of his nose” Analyse the word choice but also
this “shook like the gills of a turkey cock”
His contemporaries are solely concerned with the whereabouts of
Scrooge’s money on his death. Their
response regarding the funeral is crass.
The next group under Dicken’s scrutiny is the workers: the launderess,
the undertaker’s man etc. they are dubious people.
The word choice of “plunder” has suggestions of goods that have been
stolen. The tradespeople’s’ actions are
immoral, disgusting and they completely lack remorse. In fact they congratulate
each other. These people demonstrate sectors of Victorian society’s obsession
with materialism. People are described as “obscene demons” – these are the
tradespeople who capitalise on the death of Scrooge.
Repetition of “I see” by Scrooge has biblical links as is also religious
language.
The figure dying at the end is referred to as a “something” – this is
not human.
“bereft…unwept” this list of adjectives to describe the something/ the
person at the end of a cruel and inhumane life shows the pitiful state you can
end up in if you do not redeem yourself – it is pitiful, shocking and horrible.
Dickens uses religious language to further heighten the point that we are
judged by God at the end of our life, and that our deeds on earth do not
unpunished. Contrast this with “loved, revered…” Dickens says these people will
not have one hair on their head turn ugly.
The lack of communication between Scrooge and the third Phantom shows
Scrooge’s lessons and that he is able himself to learn them and communicate. He
is changed.
Cratchits: “As still as statues” Just as a statues is..
“they had looked at Peter with a book” – Dickens is showing the
Cratchits to be well read and engaging in education.
Perhaps Scrooge’s nephew’s – one of the few if sole, positive descriptions
of the rich- small part is to mirror the small amount of such people Dickens
saw in Victorian London. “good soul”
Scrooge is on his knees by the end of book showing how much he has
repented.
The final chapter is good to compare Scrooge. Compare page 3 description
to the last chapter e.g. “red eyes” “blue” to now “glowing with good intentions”.
The shows the non cyclical structure of the text highlighting that
change can and does occur and indeed a full change in Scrooge’s character.
Contrast repetition of “sole” with repetition of “laugh”
Church bells: “lustiest peals” compare with previous personification
which showed them negatively.
Compare pathetic fallacy use – start : fog intensified until it was “pouring
in”, now “no fog” “golden sunlight”
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Dickens uses
pathetic fallacy to highlight Scrooge’s present state is that of no good, and
also it furthers the idea of societal discord and gloominess – this is shown
through the constant “fog”. Furthermore is suggests that people were insular
and could not see ,literally or metaphorically, beyond their own noses.
There is no
connection between the rich and poor , this is shown through the constant use
of contrast e.g. “pyramids of pears and apples” compared with the single
“goose”.
The kindest
people we meet ironically are those that have nothing, Dickens message is
anti-capitalist: richness does not come from materialistic things, richness
for Dickens is goodness.
The
Victorian era shows how the rich profit from the hard work of the poor who
are underpaid, this is shown in the contrast between Scrooge and the “15 bob”
Bob earns.
Dicken
describes the Cratchits as being religious and unified this is shown in the
“circle” they sit in and also by the grace they say before dinner.
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