LINKS TO THE WIDER REVISION NOTES FOR ESSAY
NOVELLA
Stave 1 – Scrooge as a Miser (Before Transformation)
Quote 1 (Stave 1)
“Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out
generous fire.”
(Simile, metaphor, semantic field of coldness)
What it shows:
Scrooge is emotionally cold, unfeeling, and incapable of generosity.
When it occurs:
Narrator’s description of Scrooge at the very beginning of the novella.
Context links:
Victorian society: Criticism of wealthy industrialists who hoarded
wealth.
Poverty: Flint suggests hardness towards the poor.
Christianity: Lack of “fire” symbolises lack of warmth, love, and
charity.
Quote 2 (Stave 1)
“If they would rather die… they had better do it, and decrease
the surplus population.”
(Malthusian reference, dialogue, shocking language)
What it shows:
Scrooge believes the poor are a burden and shows complete lack of
compassion.
When it occurs:
Conversation with the charity collectors.
Context links:
Victorian society: Reflects Thomas Malthus’ views on population
control.
Poverty: Highlights brutal attitudes towards the poor.
Christianity: Contrasts sharply with Christian values of charity and
care.
Quote 3 - Stave 2 – Beginnings of Change (Past) (Stave 2)
“A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire.”
(Adjective choice, pathetic fallacy)
What it shows:
Scrooge’s childhood loneliness evokes sympathy and explains his
emotional coldness.
When it occurs:
Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his childhood.
Context links:
Victorian society: Many children experienced neglect or isolation.
Poverty: Emotional poverty, not just financial.
Christianity: Encourages forgiveness and understanding.
Quote 4 - Stave 2
“I should like to have given him something.”
(Regretful tone, first-person narration)
What it shows:
Scrooge begins to feel remorse for his past behaviour after seeing his own
loneliness as a child.
When it occurs:
Scrooge reflects on how he treated the carol singer.
Context links:
Christianity: Repentance is the first step toward redemption.
Victorian society: Suggests people can change.
Poverty: Acknowledges missed chances to help others.
Quote 5 - Stave 3 – Learning Generosity (Present)
“It was his own hand unconsciously that drew his mouth into its
accustomed smile.”
(Adverb, involuntary reaction, symbolism)
What it shows:
Scrooge feels genuine joy watching the Cratchit family.
When it occurs:
Observing the Cratchits’ Christmas celebration.
Context links:
Poverty: The Cratchits are poor but happy.
Victorian society: Suggests wealth does not equate to happiness.
Christianity: Celebrates family, gratitude, and humility.
Quote 6 – Stave 3
“God bless us every one!”
(Exclamation, symbolism)
What it shows:
Tiny Tim symbolises innocence and Christian goodness, influencing
Scrooge.
When it occurs:
End of the Cratchits’ Christmas dinner.
Context links:
Christianity: Emphasises universal compassion.
Poverty: Vulnerability of poor children.
Victorian society: Calls for social responsibility.
Quote 7 - Stave 4 – Fear and Responsibility (Future)
“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel.” (earlier
contrast)
(Simile, religious imagery)
What it shows:
This contrasts with Stave 4, highlighting how much Scrooge fears losing
redemption.
Context links:
Christianity: Angels symbolise salvation.
Victorian society: Moral accountability.
(Useful for contrast when writing about transformation.)
Quote 8 – Stave 4 and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
“Spirit… hear me! I am not the man I was.”
(Exclamatory sentence, declarative statement)
What it shows:
Scrooge openly acknowledges his transformation and begs for
redemption.
When it occurs:
Scrooge sees his neglected grave. ("Read upon the stone of the
neglected grave his own name, Ebenezer Scrooge”)
Context links:
Christianity: Confession and repentance.
Victorian society: Moral reform is possible.
Poverty: Realises consequences of selfishness.
Quote 9 - Stave 5 – Complete Transformation
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the
year.”
(Metaphor, future tense, determination)
What it shows:
Scrooge commits to permanent change, not temporary kindness.
When it occurs:
After waking on Christmas morning.
Context links:
Christianity: Living by Christian values daily.
Victorian society: Ideal moral citizen.
Poverty: Promise of ongoing generosity.
Quote 10 – Stave 5
“He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a
man, as the good old city knew.”
(Tricolon, positive narrative voice)
What it shows:
Scrooge’s transformation is complete and lasting.
When it occurs:
Narrator’s conclusion of the novella.
Context links:
Victorian society: Model of social responsibility.
Christianity: Redemption and salvation.
Poverty: Employers should care for workers.
Quote 11 (Fezziwig) – Stave 2
"The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a
fortune." (Abstract noun “happiness” / adjective “great”)
What it shows
Scrooge understands that true wealth lies in the joy one creates,
not just money.
When it occurs- When he sees Fezziwig giving his workers a party
along with dancing, fiddlers, cake and negus. Fezziwig is described
as a foil to Scrooge. (He has a “comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial
voice.” (see adjectives)
Context Links
Victorian society: Model of social responsibility.
Christianity: Redemption and salvation.
Poverty: Employers should care for workers.
Quote 12 – Stave 2
"I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk
now." (dialogue)– This directly contrasts Fezziwig's joyful interaction
with his employees with Scrooge's own cold treatment of Bob
Cratchit. Scrooge feels remorse after witnessing Fezziwig’s
generosity.
Quote 13 - Belle's Perspective (Focus on Scrooge's Change) –
Stave 2
"Another idol has displaced me... A golden one." ( Metaphor
Belle, observing Scrooge's shift to money)."I have seen your
nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master
passion, Gain, engrosses you." (Belle, recognizing his corruption
by wealth – See abstract nouns “aspirations” juxtaposed to
“Gain”).You fear the world too much." (Belle, highlighting his
worldly focus over love)."I release you—with a full heart, for
the love of him you once were." (Belle, letting him go but
lamenting the lost man).
"May you be happy in the life you have chosen!" (Belle,
wishing him well in his loveless path – See modal verb “may” and
adjective “happy”).