Question 3: Dickens uses Christmas to convey the Christian message of
forgiveness and redemption.
Initially Scrooge is compared to a ‘oyster’- hard to open solitary like Scrooges closed off aloof behavior
and attitude- the pearl on the inside of an oyster represents value and beauty - Scrooge becomes more
kind and generous after he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas present.
‘hard and sharp as a flint’ - scrooge has a hard and tough exterior like flint. Flint is used to create fire.
Fire= hope and happiness. During Christmas time the Cratchits are surrounding fire. Scrooge has the
potential to share joy and warmth like fire. In stave five fire is mentioned a lot.
FRED= Always forgiving- Christian morals- overlooks scrooges' attitude and perseveres ‘His nephew left
the room without an angry word’ Christmas= time for forgiveness- embodied by Fred - patient and
good natured-always visits scrooge to invite him for Christmas dinner ‘why can we not be friends?’
persisting and persevering – trying to befriend scrooge despite his aggressive behavior – buried with a
stake of holly’
Fred invites scrooge to party at the end and almost shakes his hand off = ACCEPTANCE & forgiveness- /
F always invites S which shows him practicing these qualities. F accepts S into his party and at the end
‘lets him in’= forgives him/ is kind ’it’s a mercy he didn’t shake his hand off’ verb shake = excitement
Cratchits family “founder of the feast” embodies Christian values of forgiveness and gratefulness.
Respect for scrooge even though he isn't there and even though he is very reluctant to give Bob a pay
for Christmas.
Fred's party - “I have nothing against him... I couldn't be angry with him” true Christian values. Him
being a miser only hurts himself. Although scrooge is not at the party, they still consider him as part of
the family – make jokes and games about him. “Uncle Scrooge” Dickens recognition of family -
especially as Christmas is a time where families should be together. Toast to Scrooge – including him in
the family.
Extract
“As good as gold” irony as they don’t have much money but still value Tim as much as gold. Almost as though
they are forgiving the government and scrooge for not giving them much. Grateful for what they have and
what Scrooge has given them. Afterwards, Scrooge wants to help the family in Stave 5 he wants to buy the
Cratchit family a turkey this shows that he has been redeemed.
References to Church- symbolizes good Christian values unlike Scrooge at this point of the play.- remembering
god- unlike scrooge who has everything- good Christian morals
Seeing Tiny Tim being called ‘strong’ and ‘hearty’ would make Scrooge feel sympathy for him as he isn't really
like this. He will eventually care for Tiny Tim as he has been redeemed. All humans should be charitable and
help each other especially at Christmas. That he is the opposite of Stave 1. no longer solitary has been
redeemed.
In stave 5 Scrooge also greets everyone “good morning sir” this shows that he is no longer a solitary he has
been redeemed- social/cheerful attitude in comparison to start. “he hoped people would see him” they would
appreciative of what they had and would be redeemed after seeing him.
Question 1: Dickens presents Christmas as a time of celebration with family and friends
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