Characterisation In ‘A Christmas Carol’ Philanthropy and Personality LO: To explore the way in which Dickens uses character to convey his message

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Key Vocabulary Charitable Benevolence Welfare Forbearance Mercy Abundance Altruism Pity Duty Generosity Charitable Benevolence Welfare Forbearance Mercy Abundance Altruism Pity Duty Generosity

Key Definitions Philanthropy – (philanthropic/philanthropist) 1.The effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations. 2. Love of humankind in general. 3. Something, such as an activity or institution, intended to promote human welfare. Antonym – Misanthropy (misanthropic/misanthropist)

Key Definition Archetype - (archetypal) An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned ‘Scrooge is the archetypal literary miser.’

Key Definitions 1.Charity – (archaic) – from Latin ‘carus’= ‘dear’ Love of humankind 2. Charity – (modern) The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need

Main Characters Scrooge Marley’s Ghost Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come (+ Ignorance and Want) Fezziwig Bob Cratchit + Family Tiny Tim Fred TASK: Create a symbol for each of the main characters…

Summary Ebeneezer Scrooge Begins: Mean, fierce, cold-hearted and callous Ends: Generous, humble, loving and happy Jacob Marley In life, much like Scrooge In death: ‘Incessant torture of remorse’ Agonized, desperate, regretful, doomed Symbols – chains and cash boxes

Summary The other ghosts Past ‘like a child, yet not so like a child as like an old man’ Lost innocence Gentle mild insistent White clothing with summer flowers Cap represents negative emotions, actions and ideas. Scrooge pushes this down at the end of the stave Metaphors for Scrooge’s Life What he has been What he is What he is going to be if he does not change

Summary Present Personifies generosity Gigantic Jovial Stern Green and white clothing – natural abundance and innocence Surrounded by images of plenty – there is enough to go round in a fair world Cloak conceals harsh reality in the form of two horrifying children ‘Ignorance’ and ‘Want’ Yet to Come Personifies death ‘shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form’ – death must be unknown until it inevitably strikes. Bleak, chilling merciless: it will not wait for Scrooge but merely leads him from scene to scene pointing out what he must see. ‘

Summary Fezziwig Scrooge’s first employer Caring, generous, kind and appreciative. One of the few people for whom Scrooge remains thankful. “He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil…The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.” Fred - nephew Antithesis of Scrooge Good-natured, jovial, loving, supportive – a means for Scrooge to achieve redemption. He will not lose hope for Scrooge or humanity in general Christmas is: ‘a good time; a kind forgiving, charitable pleasant time…when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely…’

Summary Bob Cratchit - Clerk Passive, caring, kind-hearted family man with an almost childish sense of fun Represents the plight of the lower classes for whom any job is better than no job. Abused, underpaid, powerless. Wears a ‘long, white comforter’. Loyal to Scrooge, defends him to his wife when she condemns Scrooge’s behaviour/personality Tiny Tim Cratchit’s youngest child Disabled, loving, vulnerable – a victim of his family’s poverty and society’s harsh attitudes Represents a stock character in Victorian Literature. Here he is the innocent vehicle for Scrooge’s redemption He is an important symbol of the consequences of Scrooge’s choices. He will die unless Scrooge changes. Perhaps based on one of Dickens’ own nephews

Other characters Belle Former fiancée of Scrooge. He has forgotten about her until shown by the Ghost of Christmas past. She broke off their engagement telling Scrooge he cared more about money than her and she feared for her future happiness if she married him She marries another and finds true happiness in a loving and large family. Shown this vision, Scrooge is enraged and pulls down the Ghost’s metal cap, extinguishing the light that comes from him Fan Scrooge’s beloved younger sister who, after he has been abandoned by his parents at a boarding school, begs for his return.

Homework: Take one of the characters and write a short character analysis: Role in book – key scenes/interactions Personality Characterisation through language (symbols, description etc) Strengths/weaknesses of characterisation 15 minutes of quiet writing at home…

Who are these?