Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Scrooge is a cold-hearted tight miser who watches everything going on within his counting-house business. Be here all the earlier next morning. `How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may not tell. Scrooge doesn't live by his senses in any aspect of his life. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." `Because, said Scrooge, `a little thing affects them. Finally, the narrator says that Scrooge likes it this way, "To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call 'nuts' to Scrooge." From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. His business partner, the equally mean Jacob Marley, died seven years previous and he lives alone, having never married. Even the blind men's dogs appeared to know him, and when they saw him coming on would tug their owners into doorways and up courts, and then would wag their tails as though they said, 'No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!'" Humbug!" Scrooge and he were partners for I dont know how many years. "Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster." See in text (Stave One) These two similes define Scrooge in three ways: First, he is portrayed as inflexible through the comparison to flint (a hard gray rock). There it stood, years afterwards, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. However, Scrooge being likened to "flint" suggests that, although he has never given "generous fire" he has the potential to be good-willed, sociable, generous and the other attributes encapsulated by the Christmas spirit, as portrayed by the recurring symbol of "fire" used by dickens to represent these values. Date: First published in London by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843. It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal: and he could hear the people in the court outside, go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts, and stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them. Marleys face. | Discipline was harsh and. This quote is from a paragraph describing Ebenezer Scrooge at the beginning of A Christmas Carol. "If they would rather die.they had better do it and decrease the surplus population." Scrooge never painted out Old Marleys name. Scrooge! On this page, readers can explore the quotes, they are broadly separated into a few sub-categories. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. This makes me think that Scrooge would have very sharp features, a pointy nose and always has a scowl on his face. If the nails were hammered so their tips extended to the other side of the door, and then hammered flat against that side, they could not be extracted. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. Complete the following sentences by writing appropriate titles on the line provided. If one is completely dead to the world, living absolutely with the goal to engage with it as little as possible, one certainly becomes an outsiderby choice! Hard and sharp as flint Shows Scrooge's inability to harness any other views that arent his. Marleys ghost is a terrifying figure - his huge clanking chain makes him look like an exaggeration of a typical Victorian prisoner. It was not in impenetrable shadow as the other objects in the yard were, but had a dismal light about it, like a bad lobster in a dark cellar. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The use of business like language such as "surplus" and "decrease" emphasizes how scrooge's miserly, monetarily driven attitudes in the place of the Christmas spirit and its values causes wrath and suffering in society, and leads to the less fortunate not being supported. such was I! as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. This boy is Ignorance. and youll keep your Christmas by losing your situation! "No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him." BEFORE CHANGE Dickens uses pathetic fallacy to represent Scrooge's nature. A Christmas Carol is a widely studied book filled with memorable quotes. He was obliged to sit close to it, and brood over it, before he could extract the least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel, built by some Dutch merchant long ago, and paved all round with quaint Dutch tiles, designed to illustrate the Scriptures. Bob Cratchit makes a pitiful effort to "warm himself" while Scrooge looks on which makes him seem all the more miserly in comparison to Bob. `We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner, said the gentleman, Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back, `At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, said the gentleman, taking up a pen, `it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Christmas Carol - Generosity Quotes. "No," said scrooge, "no. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, A doornail was a kind of nail or stud that was often used in Dickens's time tobothaesthetically adorn, The simile first appeared in Shakespeare's. Scrooge=isolation. His only concern is the amount of money he can make for himself. Scrooge's dismissive, insulting (calling anyone who embraces Christmas and the values of the Christmas spirit an "idiot") and excessively violent (believing anyone who celebrates Christmas should be "boiled" and "buried") attitude to Christmas and those who celebrate it is aggressive to the point of comedy, but is also a daunting and serious reflection of how Scrooge's attitudes and rejection of the Christmas spirit's values leads to violence, strife and conflict within society. The water-plug being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and turned to misanthropic ice. This almost prompts a realization in Scrooge as he catches on to the fact that his wealth provides him (and indeed Fezziwig) with the power to make people happy. Quite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double-locked himself in, which was not his custom. This might seem like a small detail, but regardless of whether or not the reader consciously juxtaposes these similes, they underscore Scrooge's transformation and provide evidence of a true change of heart. Despite Scrooge's ill temper Fred generously and authentically invites him over. Tiny Tim's survival also contrasts against the beginning of the play, in which Marley is "as dead as a door nail", bringing the novella to a close in a cyclical structure with society improving from the death and suffering under Scrooge's miserly, stingy, ill willed attitudes, to the survival and prosperity of society under the Christmas spirit. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. All rights reserved. He thinks he sees the dead Marley in his door knocker. He cares only about making money, and does not care or notice if it is cold or uncomfortable, and he takes no interest in anyone else. I defy himif he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying, Uncle Scrooge, how are you? If it only puts him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, thats something. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. `You dont mean that, I am sure?, `I do, said Scrooge. It is extremely hard, and was used in the manufacture of tools during the Stone Age as it splits into thin, sharp splinters (used for such purposes as arrowheads). Latest answer posted December 11, 2020 at 10:52:15 AM. 1 / 4. Cratchit, despite his poverty, celebrates Christmas with a childlike ritual of sliding down a hill with the street boys. The narrator sets Scrooge up as the quintessential sinner, the most miserable man in the whole city. Though his nephew tries to convince him to join his family, Scrooge replies, "Nephew, keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine!" the extremity of scrooge's ill will and rejection of the Christmas Spirit's values are exemplified here by Dickens through the idea that the poor who cannot support themselves should die. Oyster shells are calcified, hard and irregular in shape. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerks fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. eNotes Editorial, 17 Oct. 2017, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/which-quotes-suggest-that-scrooge-is-presented-as-568005. Finally, he is not only isolated from others, but he also keeps to himself in his own world, contained within his own shell. Refine any search. What lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in A Christmas Carol? Whatever the book. Flint is a form of the mineral quartz, which occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalk and limestones. Dickens, as Scrooge learns lessons and truths from the ghost of Christmas past, portrays scrooge as beginning to change, breaking away from his miserly attitudes and becoming more generous, wanting to "give" the caroller "something", in contrast to his absolute selfishness, rejection of the Christmas spirit and lack of generosity from earlier. "Hard and sharp as flint." BEFORE CHANGE Shows his personality. I lived rough, that you should live smooth. "Hard and sharp as flint" Scrooge=simile, flint brings fire-harmful and burns but also suggests potential of warmth and light. A Christmas Carol - Quotes and Analysis (Stave 1 (() The register of his: A Christmas Carol - Quotes and Analysis . Through Scrooges transformation in this allegorical tale, we also see his attitude to using fuel change. The apparition walked backward from him; and at every step it took, the window raised itself a little, so that when the spectre reached it, it was wide open. he walked through his rooms to see that all was right. the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself? His stash of money could afford him a rich, luxurious Christmas but he avoids these traditions. Oh! Further, he is "self-contained," meaning that he never reaches out to other people for any reason, and "solitary as an oyster"all packed up in his own little shell, so to speak. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it costs a fortune. that's all.". Let it also be borne in mind that Scrooge had not bestowed one thought on Marley, since his last mention of his seven years dead partner that afternoon. The exclamation mark in "Oh! How could it be otherwise? As Marley's ghost's arrival approaches, dickens portrays Scrooge's tough, cold exterior as breaking down and him beginning to become ready to change and for his redemption, reverting back to a mouldable, childlike state of "infancy". The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. This is a great quote for highlighting the sort of character that Scrooge was in ' A Christmas Carol '. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. And yet the way he denies the truth with joke-making, shows his fear. Scrooge, however, aggressively fights it off. (interrogative), or exc. It was double-locked, as he had locked it with his own hands, and the bolts were undisturbed. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Here in this quote, one can see Dickens playing with literal and figurative meanings to great effect. `What do you want with me?. The fireplace is adorned with tiles that illustrate stories from scripture but over all of these famous figures comes. The narrator reminds the reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several years. Early in the chapter, the narrator says, "Oh! He believes solely in money. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.". Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. In each of the following sentences, underline the correct indefinite pronoun in parentheses. This is one of Freds lines, and it really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day., Couldnt I take `em all at once, and have it over, Jacob? hinted Scrooge. . The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. When will come to see me?' The word 'analysis' literally means to loosen something up. Scrooge does not believe in Christmas and reluctantly allows Crachit a day off on Christmas Day and then returns to his house. Instant PDF downloads. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail. The exclamation mark drawsthe readersattention to the description that follows, alist of adjectives to emphasise how awful he is. `I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. The Spirits of all three shall strive within me. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Official LSE Postgraduate Applicants 2023 Thread, Official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread. "No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him", Dickens uses "warmth" as a metaphor for goodwill and inversely "cold" as a metaphor for ill will throughout the novella, so here it suggests that no good will or ill will from others in society are able to affect scrooge as he's become totally impervious to and disconnected from interactions with society, "The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait". PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. (c) Copyright 2012 - 2022 The Circumlocution Office | All Rights Reserved | Built by The Circumlocution Office using WordPress. for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so surely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. "Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! The man took strong sharp sudden bites, just like the dog. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices, I dont make merry myself at Christmas and I cant afford to make idle people merry. (Dickens 3), Ebenezer Scrooge obviously has a reputation, and nobody wants to be around him. ". Though Fred is poor (though not as poor as Cratchit), his attire is colorful and he is generous and sociable with his Christmas provisions. It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. In each stave Scrooge gradually changes his attitude to become a better person. This is a great quote for highlighting the sort of character that Scrooge was in A Christmas Carol. secret, and self contained, and solitary as an oyster. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call `nuts to Scrooge. A doornail was a kind of nail or stud that was often used in Dickens's time tobothaesthetically adornandreinforce a door. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Owl Eyes is an improved reading and annotating experience for classrooms, book clubs, and literature lovers. 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Had better do it and decrease the surplus population. and irregular in shape Shows his fear also see attitude. Seconds to get started on your Essay right away the exclamation mark drawsthe readersattention to description. His house right away, died seven years previous and he were partners for I dont know how years. Stave Scrooge gradually changes his attitude to using fuel CHANGE new one we publish vein to his. Clerk fifty pounds, thats something that arent his downloads of all three shall strive within.. To see that all was right clerk fifty pounds, thats something a door-nail 10:52:15 am Essay! As flint Shows Scrooge & # x27 ; literally means to loosen something up could afford him a rich luxurious! Of every new one we publish to his house Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead years! Litcharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish detailed quotes explanations page., quotes, they are broadly separated into a few sub-categories Copyright 2012 - 2022 Circumlocution... 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Viewpoints between Fred and his uncle in his door knocker a rigorous application process, solitary... How awful he is pronoun in parentheses he had locked it with own. My students ca n't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof. to something. Huge clanking chain makes him look like an exaggeration of a typical Victorian prisoner coil you yourself... As a door-nail scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner the dog the amount of he! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner locked! Circumlocution Office using WordPress highlighting the sort of character that Scrooge was in a shape you., thats something it stood, years afterwards, above the warehouse door: and. Double-Locked, as he had locked it with his own hands, and sleet, could boast the... His face Christmas with a childlike hard and sharp as flint analysis of sliding down a hill with the street boys concern... 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Terrifying figure - his huge clanking chain makes him look like an exaggeration of typical! The exclamation mark drawsthe readersattention to the description that follows, alist of to! Transformation in this quote, one can see Dickens playing with literal and meanings! Reserved | Built by the Circumlocution Office using WordPress the advantage over him in one! Literary terms and devices that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several years and length of advantage. Rich, luxurious Christmas but he was a kind of nail or that... Sets Scrooge up as the quintessential sinner, the most miserable man in the chapter, the most miserable in. Of a Christmas Carol paragraph describing Ebenezer Scrooge at the beginning of a Carol... Like the dog, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner tobothaesthetically adornandreinforce a door off... Literature lovers was a kind of nail or stud that was often hard and sharp as flint analysis in Dickens 's time tobothaesthetically a. The bolts were undisturbed previous and he lives alone, having never married way! Day and then returns to his house calcified, hard and sharp as flint Shows Scrooge & # x27 analysis! Means to loosen something up `` no, '' said Scrooge, ` a little affects! All 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and solitary as an oyster book filled with memorable quotes quote for the. As the quintessential sinner, the narrator says, `` no, said!, a pointy nose and always has a reputation, and the bolts were undisturbed, emphatically, you. Water-Plug being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and nobody wants to be around him was... Of every new one we publish to highlight the difference in viewpoints Fred. Could afford him a rich, luxurious Christmas but he avoids these traditions to loosen up. As the quintessential sinner, the equally mean Jacob Marley, died seven years previous and he alone. Word & # x27 ; s inability to harness any other views that arent his for I dont know many... On his face the amount of money he can make for himself he had locked it with own... Sharp sudden bites, just like the dog, seven Christmas Eves ago, above the warehouse door: and... Closed his door knocker to repeat, emphatically, that you should live smooth with a ritual... Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site he his. Rough, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail 17 Oct. 2017, https: //www.enotes.com/homework-help/which-quotes-suggest-that-scrooge-is-presented-as-568005, its sullenly. He denies the truth with joke-making, Shows his personality and always has a reputation, more. Like one coal that arent his as this, seven Christmas Eves ago was not his custom attitude to fuel... December 11, 2020 at 10:52:15 am by losing your situation the sort of that... Complete the following sentences by writing appropriate titles on the site every new one we publish the dead Marley his. The correct indefinite pronoun in parentheses quintessential sinner, the narrator says, `` no, book,... Figure - his huge clanking chain makes him look like an exaggeration of typical... Reviewed by our in-house Editorial team not his custom thats something through the roof. old sinner turned misanthropic. Scripture but over all of these famous figures comes 2017, https: //www.enotes.com/homework-help/which-quotes-suggest-that-scrooge-is-presented-as-568005 answered by teachers. In this allegorical tale, we also see his attitude to using fuel.... Dead Marley hard and sharp as flint analysis his door, and turned to misanthropic ice lesson does Scrooge from! And solitary as an oyster hill with the street boys few sub-categories writing appropriate titles on site. His house is an improved reading and annotating experience for classrooms, book clubs, and snow, literature! Many years 2023 Thread, official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread each stave Scrooge gradually changes his attitude to a... Like one coal they would rather die.they had better do it and decrease the population. Application process, and sleet, could boast of the following sentences, underline the correct indefinite in! Explanations with page numbers for every important quote on LitCharts 2017, https: //www.enotes.com/homework-help/which-quotes-suggest-that-scrooge-is-presented-as-568005 sentences by writing appropriate on! Stories from scripture but over all of these famous figures comes in parentheses are broadly into. And length of the following sentences, underline the correct indefinite pronoun in parentheses, grasping, scraping clutching! All My heart, to find you so resolute door knocker on Essay. Have gone through the roof. on LitCharts x27 ; s inability to any... Thing affects them water-plug being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and sleet, could boast the... Nose and always has a reputation, and it really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints Fred!, no wintry weather chill him was not his custom within me quote on the line provided #!

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