| Where is dramatic irony used in the novel? | In stave 4 when Scrooge doesn't know whose dead body that is, but the audience knows that it is him. |
| What is a semantic field? | When a group of words - usually on a page - are related to each other to create a specific meaning or effect in a text. |
| What are themes in a Christmas Carol? | Family, Redemption, Benevolence/ Philanthropy, Education, Poverty, Money, Social injustice, Job-life, Treatment of children, Ignorance, Greed and Inequality. |
| How does Biography and the Book link to the theme;
Family | Biography - He was the second eldest of 8 siblings on a small income and also separated from them even after they were freed.
Book - Scrooge was neglected by his family when he was young.
Cratchit family. |
| How does Biography and the Book link to the theme;
Education | Biography - in 1843, he went to Manchester and talked about the importance of education for the working class.
Book - Ignorant rich people left him in school when he was young. |
| How does Biography and the Book link to the theme;
Money | Biography - His father was a clerk but had to change jobs often. He owed people lots of money and the family was sent to prison due to dept.
Book - Scrooge was obsessed with money that he even chose it over his girlfriend, he was a jovial opportunist with no money sense.
Cratchit family was in poverty.
Bob Cratchit asked for more money. |
| How does Biography and the Book link to the theme;
Social Injustice | Biography - People were separated due to their class, the men would take their fathers position meaning they'd automatically get low or high profiles.
Book - 'I cant afford to make idle people merry' Scrooge had a Malthomist view like many other upper classed people at the time. He believes that all lower classed people deliberately chose to be in that situation. |
| How does Biography and the Book link to the theme;
Treatment of Children | Biography - He worked 10 hours a day and breathed in soot and felt abandoned. They wouldn't receive money or education.
Book - Ignorance and Want
Tiny Tim |
| How does Biography and the Book link to the theme;
Job-life | Biography - Charles Dickens had to work in Warrens Blocking Factory which is where they polished shoes.
His mother was a housewife.
Book - Bob Cratchit is a clerk. |
| What does nomenclature mean? | The deliberate choosing of names to create an effect. |
| What are some things we can tell about Scrooges character from Stave 1? | We can tell that Scrooge is;
Rude; Mistreating his clerk; A people hater - "he carried his own low temperature always about him, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance" |
| What are some things we can tell about the Clerks character from Stave 1? | We can tell that Bob Cratchit is;
Earning 15 shillings a week for his family; Mistreated - "But the clerks fire was so much smaller . . . Scrooge kept the coal box in his room . . . tried to warm himself at the candle" |
| What are some things we can tell about the Nephew character from Stave 1? | We can tell that Fred is;
Contrasting in personality to Scrooge - "don't be crass uncle"; Happy; Hopeful |
| How does Charles Dickens use the setting to symbolise Scrooge? | Pathetic fallacy.
"The fog came pouring at every chink and keyhole' - This could be a metaphor about how Scrooge refuses to see the POV's of other people. Fog prevents you from seeing far, so it can be symbolising how his bitterness is blinding him.
"It was a cold, bleak, biting weather' This may describe Scrooge's character. The dry, biting and nasty weather shows us his personality and how he comes across to others. |
| What does the exposition tell us about Scrooge? | This part of the story helps us see what type of person Scrooge is and what his motives are. It also shows us how his personality is affecting his surroundings and people around him. |
| What is pathetic fallacy? | When the environment or setting is used to symbolise a characters personality. |
| What is divine retribution? | A punishment from a supernatural being (God). |
| What is the inciting incident? | The moment, event or decision that thrusts a character or the plot into action. |
| What was Scrooge's personality like before he met the ghost of Marley? | Before Scrooge met Marley's ghost he was;
Hard-headed; powerful; emotionless; ignorant; jokey |
| What was Scrooge's personality like during his interaction with Marley's ghost? | While Scrooge was meeting Marley's ghost, he was;
Pleading; fearful; listening; accepting; scared
"Scrooge fell upon his knees, and clasped his hands before his face" |
| Why might Scrooge be the mean way he is? | - Scrooge was alone during childhood and especially during Christmas. When everyone went to celebrate it with family, he was left by himself to read.
- This may have affected him as an adult, meaning he spends more time alone as an adult and also he treats everyone in the neglected way he was treated. |
| What does philanthropic mean? | To be generous and benevolent, especially with money. |
| What are some things we can tell about Fezziwigs character? | Fezziwig is;
Lively - We know this because of the LISTS and the FAST PACE. We also know this because of how much energy and joy he has; Able to treat people well - actions and behaviour; a warm and happy character that's able to promote his feelings to others too - "hilly hoo!"; philanthropic |
| What does the Horn of Plenty and the Rusty Scabbard symbolise? | Cornucopia - 'a lot of'. The horn of plenty shows that there's enough for everyone and represents generosity and abundance.
The scabbard may symbolise peace because it's rusty and there is no sword. This means that there has been peace. |
| What is Yule? | A Germanic winter festival of eating and drinking. |
| What is Saturnalia? | A Roman pagan festival were a weak long party was attended by everyone, even slaves and servants. |
| What is a pagan? | Someone who believes in a religion other than popular or well known religions like Christianity. |
| What is a semantic field? | When a group of words - usually on a page - are related to each other to create a specific meaning or effect in a text. |
| What does redemption mean? | To make amends or to get back something. |
| What is the meaning and antonym of benevolent? | If someone is benevolent, they are good willed and loving. An antonym of benevolent is malevolent. |
| What is the atmosphere like in the Cratchit's house?
How did Scrooge feel after witnessing the events, and why? | The atmosphere is bubbly, energetic and joyous.
We know this because of the quick pace and listing in Stave 3.
"Danced around the table", "everyone at once"
Scrooge was in grief because he learned that Tiny Tim would die. He starts to develop sympathy and pity. |
| What does surplus mean? | This means excess or unneeded. |
| What is meritocracy? | The belief that good qualities lead to success. |
| Why are the children called Ignorance and Want? | Ignorance shows the lack of knowledge that children suffering have, and Want symbolises the yearning of basic necessities that they have. "clung upon the outside of its garment" |
| What does Scrooge learn from Ignorance and Want? | Scrooge learns that the way you are treated during childhood then forms the way you are when you are older.
He realises that just because there are places that they can receive help, it doesn't prevent poverty, just as the spirit says "are there no prisons". He asks this because although there is jail, criminality still exists. |
| What 3 stages does Scrooge go through from Stave 1 to 3? | In stave 1, Scrooge learns that he will suffer divine retribution if he doesn't change. He experiences fear.
In stave 2, he learns to have pity for himself as a child.
In stave 3, he learns to have sympathy for those that are less fortunate than him and see some consequences of his actions. |
| How were Bob Cratchit and Fred able to successfully contrast Scrooge's personality? | I think that they were able to successfully able to contrast Scrooge because they were able to present themselves as good role models that others should follow.
Their bubbly, warm and philanthropic personality contradicts Scrooge's cold and threatening aura, showing a clear difference of right and wrong. |
| Why did Belle leave Scrooge? | Because Scrooge loved money more than her.
"Another idol has displaced me".
"A golden one'. |
| Where is dramatic irony used in the novel? | In stave 4 when Scrooge doesn't know whose dead body that is, but the audience knows that it is him. |
| What is the purpose of Philanthropy and Poverty in a Christmas Carol? | The purpose of philanthropy and poverty in the novel is to show the rich, not only from that era but modern day too, whats happening in the world and how we are responsible for it.
He published the book with a philanthropic moral to give so that we can be better people. We know this because we are shown the positive impacts of Scrooge's actions when he changes. He shows us how it benefits our and others health and emotions.
At the time most of England was a Christian society, so it was also to remind everyone of Christian values like loving each other and being giving. |
| What does A Christmas Carol show us about redemption? | We are shown that redemption cant only be completed by reflecting your past actions. Although you do need to accept and acknowledge any wrong you have done, you also need to use your actions to make amends.
We are shown times of redemption when Scrooge says "that is my name and I fear it may not be pleasant to you". Here we see how he knows and regrets the wrongs he has done. |
| What are some quotes from Scrooge? | "I can't afford to make idle people merry'
"A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every 25th of December"
"If they would rather die, then they better go and do it to reduce the surplus population"
"Have they no refuge or resource?"
"I will live in the past, present and future"
"And therefore, I am about to raise your salary" |
| What are vices? | Sins or crimes. |
| What was the Malthusian Theory? | The idea that the population in in proportion to the global amount of food. He believed that if the amount of food there is rises, so does our population.
He also said that the poor would get wiped out for their vices, famine or diseases, giving the higher classes and excuse to dismiss and mistreat them. |
| What is sabbatarianism? | The belief that the Lord's day (Sunday)should be a day of complete rest. |
| Why does Dickens disagree with sabbatarianism? | Charles Dickens disagrees with Sabbatarianism because it was very strict. He said it missed essential Christian values and that it's an unnecessary allegiance and ritual to the doctrine.
He uses the Cratchit family to show us how we should be warm and full of love. |
| How does Dickens explore poverty? | Dickens explores poverty through Ignorance and Want. He uses their appearance and how they look in others' eyes.
When the writer called them 'abject', it tells us that they are in a terrible state. We know this when their skin is 'yellow' and 'meagre'. This could be a sign of poverty for they may be going through a time of malnourishment (deprivation of food) and bad hygiene.
Dickens also shows us how poverty has affected them when he says they are 'miserable' and 'frightful'. This shows the audience how misanthropic actions can negatively impact people. By them being miserable, they might develop depressions and have impacts on their well-being.
A lot of the time the write uses lists to describe the children. An example of this is when he says they are "yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish". He also uses metaphors to describe the children when he links them to angels and devils. This ties to Christianity and makes the audience question whether their morals are actually good.
Their appearance is also shocking to those who see them as they're described as 'hideous'. We know this when Scrooge reacts taken aback and is 'appalled'. He even cant bring himself to lying to such a degree and calling them fine kids. The write may make Scrooge express himself this way to show how poverty affects not only the individual, but the people around them. This shows the audience that it changes the way people may interact with you. |
| Where is the theme Philanthropy and Misanthropy expressed? | At the start of the novella Scrooge refuses to give to charity and to give Bob more money for Christmas. He says it's a "poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every 25th of December"
At the end of the novella Scrooge then raises Bob's salary and gives a lot of money to the child who fetches him a turkey. |
| Where is the theme Family expressed? | At the start of the novella Scrooge's sister, Fan, visits him and we are shown the potential family he could of had with his girlfriend.
At the middle of the novella we are shown the Cratchit's family Christmas dinner. |
| What are some quotes from the Cratchits family dinner? | "Lord bless us everyone" Tiny Tim
"To Mr Scrooge, the founder of this feast' Bob
"Hurrah! There's such a goose" |
| Where is the theme Redemption expressed? | At the end of the novella we see Scrooge making amends for his selfish actions in the past.
"I will live in the past, present and future" |
| When was the novel written? | 1843. |
| Why did Dickens include numerous spirits? | Because it was a tradition to read ghost stories at Christmas. |
| Briefly, what does the ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge? | Scrooge's childhood and the lively scene with Fezziwig, Belle telling Scrooge she must leave him because he loves money more than her, and her happy family. |
| Briefly, what does the ghost of Christmas Present show Scrooge? | The humility of the Cratchit family, his nephew's house where they joke about how Scrooge is a 'ridiculous fellow' and the poor children, Ignorance and Want. |
| Briefly, what does the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come show Scrooge? | The celebration of a man's death, and the mourning of Tiny Tim. Scrooge then realises that the man's death is his. |
| Briefly, what happens when Scrooge reawakens on Christmas day? | He calls himself as 'giddy as a drunken man'.
After, he calls a boy to buy the prize turkey, and delivers it to the Cratchits.
Then, he then gives money to the charity collectors.
He goes to Fred's Christmas dinner.
Finally, he gives Bob a raise. |
| What quote shows us that Scrooge is cold, and how? | "No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him."
Pathetic fallacy is used since the weather is a metaphor for Scrooge's cold behaviour, saying he cannot be made warmer or colder by it. |
| What quote shows us that Scrooge is unpleasant, and how? | "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips. should be boiled with his own pudding."
Scrooge cannot accept the generosity and kindness when Fred wishes him a Merry Christmas, but turns positive images into violent ones. Although his response is comical, it's ill-mannered. |
| How is Bob Cratchit presented? | Humble and hardworking. |
| Why might we feel pity towards Bob at the start of the novella? | Bob "tried to warm himself at the candle". We see Bob trying to deal with the rough situations scrooge puts him in. Instead of complaining he deals with it. We feel sad for how Bob is treated although he is so kind and generous. |
| How is Fred presented? | Cheerful, generous and kind-hearted. |
| What quote shows us that Fred is positive, and how? | "I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So A Merry Christmas, uncle!"
His dialog shows his positive nature, despite Scrooge responding so rudely, he purses his good cheer. |
| What quote shows us that Fred is kind-hearted, and how? | "Let him in! It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off."
Despite Scrooge always putting Christmas down, when he finally comes round, Fred doesn't even hesitate to let Scrooge in, but has a hearty welcome. |
| How is the ghost of Christmas Present presented? | Jolly, welcoming and prophetic. |
| What quote shows us that the ghost of Christmas Present is jolly, and how? | "its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and it's joyful air."
The adjectives used show how his whole charisma is uplifting. |
| What quote shows us that the ghost of Christmas Present is prophetic, and how? | "Most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom""
He presents two children called 'Ignorance' and 'Want' hiding under his cloak and warns that 'Doom' awaits mankind unless the lessons of generosity and tolerance are learned. |
