Scrooge Mr Bruff q’s
Questions: 1) What does the repetition in the following quotation emphasise about the character of
Scrooge? ‘Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary
legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner’.
The repetition of the adjective sole emphasises the solitary nature of the lives of both Jacob Marley
and Ebenezer Scrooge.
2) Give two interpretations of the quotation ‘Hard and sharp as flint’.
The simile implies that Scrooge lacks warmth, empathy, and compassion whilst the adjective sharp
suggests pain implying that Scrooge has no mercy to others. The comparison with flint suggests that
there is a spark as flint is used to create fire there is a potential for warmth within Scrooge who
might change.
3) How is Scrooge like an oyster?
Simile: has a tough hard exterior and is closed to others emphasises how he has isolated himself
from others. The simile is effective because it also suggests that there may be more to be discovered
about Scrooge. Dickens suggests that there may be something worthwhile found inside Scrooge. Just
as there is a pearl inside an oyster shell. Foreshadows Scrooges change and redemption.
4) Why does Dickens present Scrooge as a humorous character?
Dickens deliberately uses word play and the humour to make Scrooge as a character to make him
seem more two dimensional making the reader more able to believe when he changes his ways. Its
to make the reader more engaged and make the reader seem happy for his transformation. Reader
feels empathy making the reader to relate to scrooge making them become more socially
responsible and other key messages that are conveyed in ‘A Christmas Carol’.
5) When does the reader begin to feel sorry for Scrooge?
When the ghost of Christmas Past takes him to his old school and he is depicted as a ‘solitary child
neglected by his friends’. Solitary reminds us of the oyster, but that Scrooge was not choosing to be
alone as a child. The juxtaposition of the words neglected, and friends develops the readers empathy
for Scrooge at this point in the novella. This signifies the effect on Scrooge about empathy and
compassion. Relationships not money bring happiness (dickens tyring to convey this message to
Victorian audience). Making the reader to develop an interest in Scrooges transformation.
6) What does the verb ‘profit’ in the following quotation suggest about Scrooge: ‘‘I went forth last
night on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have ought to teach
me, let me profit by it.”
Scrooge is prepared to learn and benefit from the teachings of the ghosts. This still ahs implications
of finance as he utilises the word ‘profit’ showing that Scrooge is not fully transformed.
7) How do Dickens’ use of similes in the final section of the novella highlight Scrooge’s
transformation?
‘I am as light as a feather’ ‘I am as happy as an angel’ ‘I am as merry as a schoolboy’: juxtaposed with
oyster and flint similes earlier in the text. Feather: cast of his chains of earlier life; implying flight and
freedom he is closer to heaven than he was. Angel: contrast between earlier simile about sinner
angels promote goodness showing that Scrooge is a better and more well rounded person. Reader is
left with the message of that people can and should change and society is a better place if we all
look out for one another
Questions: 1) What does the repetition in the following quotation emphasise about the character of
Scrooge? ‘Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary
legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner’.
The repetition of the adjective sole emphasises the solitary nature of the lives of both Jacob Marley
and Ebenezer Scrooge.
2) Give two interpretations of the quotation ‘Hard and sharp as flint’.
The simile implies that Scrooge lacks warmth, empathy, and compassion whilst the adjective sharp
suggests pain implying that Scrooge has no mercy to others. The comparison with flint suggests that
there is a spark as flint is used to create fire there is a potential for warmth within Scrooge who
might change.
3) How is Scrooge like an oyster?
Simile: has a tough hard exterior and is closed to others emphasises how he has isolated himself
from others. The simile is effective because it also suggests that there may be more to be discovered
about Scrooge. Dickens suggests that there may be something worthwhile found inside Scrooge. Just
as there is a pearl inside an oyster shell. Foreshadows Scrooges change and redemption.
4) Why does Dickens present Scrooge as a humorous character?
Dickens deliberately uses word play and the humour to make Scrooge as a character to make him
seem more two dimensional making the reader more able to believe when he changes his ways. Its
to make the reader more engaged and make the reader seem happy for his transformation. Reader
feels empathy making the reader to relate to scrooge making them become more socially
responsible and other key messages that are conveyed in ‘A Christmas Carol’.
5) When does the reader begin to feel sorry for Scrooge?
When the ghost of Christmas Past takes him to his old school and he is depicted as a ‘solitary child
neglected by his friends’. Solitary reminds us of the oyster, but that Scrooge was not choosing to be
alone as a child. The juxtaposition of the words neglected, and friends develops the readers empathy
for Scrooge at this point in the novella. This signifies the effect on Scrooge about empathy and
compassion. Relationships not money bring happiness (dickens tyring to convey this message to
Victorian audience). Making the reader to develop an interest in Scrooges transformation.
6) What does the verb ‘profit’ in the following quotation suggest about Scrooge: ‘‘I went forth last
night on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have ought to teach
me, let me profit by it.”
Scrooge is prepared to learn and benefit from the teachings of the ghosts. This still ahs implications
of finance as he utilises the word ‘profit’ showing that Scrooge is not fully transformed.
7) How do Dickens’ use of similes in the final section of the novella highlight Scrooge’s
transformation?
‘I am as light as a feather’ ‘I am as happy as an angel’ ‘I am as merry as a schoolboy’: juxtaposed with
oyster and flint similes earlier in the text. Feather: cast of his chains of earlier life; implying flight and
freedom he is closer to heaven than he was. Angel: contrast between earlier simile about sinner
angels promote goodness showing that Scrooge is a better and more well rounded person. Reader is
left with the message of that people can and should change and society is a better place if we all
look out for one another
