A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Thread

[faredcarsking123]

Essentially, A Christmas Carol is a morality tale. However, there are elements of the text which make it a gothic fiction, elements that make it a Christmas about story, elements that make it an allegory. How I would structure that essay:

* Gothic fiction
- Supernatural beings
- Temporal inconsistencies

* Story about Christmas/Entertaining

* Educational morality tale

Could you basically structure it like the essay about is the novella entertaining, enthralling and educating?

Thanks 

[faredcarsking123]

Sorry, I've got another question

For : Discuss the role of the supernatural beings in A Christmas Carol.
Do we need to mention anything about them being allegorical or representing remembering ones's past, etc?

Also, if the question said 'Ghosts' and not supernatural beings, are we expected not to mention Ignorance and Want?

Thanks in advance.

[Jawnle]

'It is fear for his future, rather than genuine remorse or generosity of spirit, that causes Scrooge to change.' Do you agree?

I'm kind of unsure about one of my arguments. I'm arguing that it is difficult for readers to accept that the change was fueled by genuine intentions because of Scrooge’s appalling attitudes and appearance. Is this argument too weak and vague? I was thinking of adding in the appearance of Jacob Marley's ghost in conjunction with the argument.

[Yacoubb]

Could you basically structure it like the essay about is the novella entertaining, enthralling and educating?

Thanks 

Yep

Sorry, I've got another question

For : Discuss the role of the supernatural beings in A Christmas Carol.
Do we need to mention anything about them being allegorical or representing remembering ones's past, etc?

Also, if the question said 'Ghosts' and not supernatural beings, are we expected not to mention Ignorance and Want?

Thanks in advance.

For this essay, I only spoke about the spectres, and spoke about both how they are allegorical & how they help Scrooge.

I mentioned Ignorance and Want when I mentioned the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present. He is the one who shows Scrooge the 'scowling, wolfish' pair, Ignorance and Want, and how Scrooge recognises that these children's conditions are the consequences of social-utilitarianism, etc.

'It is fear for his future, rather than genuine remorse or generosity of spirit, that causes Scrooge to change.' Do you agree?

I'm kind of unsure about one of my arguments. I'm arguing that it is difficult for readers to accept that the change was fueled by genuine intentions because of Scrooge’s appalling attitudes and appearance. Is this argument too weak and vague? I was thinking of adding in the appearance of Jacob Marley's ghost in conjunction with the argument.

I think what you COULD do is discuss how structurally, Dickens constructs the core interest of the novella on the tension between the apparent unlikelihood of Scrooge ever changing, and the redemptive strategy that Jacob Marley enunciates.

I'd probably talk about that if the question had : 'Even after his redemption'..., where I'd probably be instructed to discuss how his life is dictated by fear prior to his reclamation.

For this essay I just stuck with 3 body paragraphs, discussing how initially he is motivated to change by his fear on non-being, those around him remembering for nothing but a grotesque miser, having his belongings stolen by Mrs Dilber and her accomplices, etc, following that up with how this eventually metamorphoses into a genuine emotional response that inclines him to practice generosity of spirit (substaniate this by saying how Scrooge could have simply raised Cratchit's salary and continued treating him poorly, but his decision to place a 'prize turkey' on the Cratchits' table on Christmas day, and invite his brow-beaten clerk for a 'bowl of smoking Bishop' reinstates his genuine spiritual transformation as a result of this pilgrimage he has taken.

[faredcarsking123]

Can anyone assist me with one more thing?

How do the appearances of the three ghosts affect Scrooge?

[Yacoubb]

Can anyone assist me with one more thing?

How do the appearances of the three ghosts affect Scrooge?

What is the 'bright clear jet of light' that protrudes from the head of the Spirit of Christmas Past symbolic of? The illuminating power of the truth... is Scrooge ready to accept the truth? Remember how he tries to extinguish the light by attempting to stifle the flames with the extinguishing cap? He cannot handle the truth - the truth in this case, that he has missed out on 'the joy, the gratitude and the ecstasy' that Belle and her family share in their home 'full of comfort'.

The Ghost of Christmas Present is a 'jolly giant' - he is the paragon of celebration and charity, and is larger-than-life to enunciate the Abundance that is rejoiced during Christmas.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - ominous and anonymous, he never speaks, has en enigmatic shroud enveloping him - it's an austere image that Dickens intends to create within the reader's mind, and evoke sheer suspense within them to amplify the message that life of 'opportunities misused' with result in non-being and an afterlife of 'incessant torture of remorse'.

Jacob Marley - he has constructed a 'ponderous chain', girded 'link by link' from 'cash-boxes', 'padlocks' and 'heavy purses wrought in steel'. This is emblematic of the encumbrances that Marley must now carry in his after-life, ultimately as a repercussion of failing to lead a life immersed in human relations, and instead living a life of greed in the bitter pursuit of wealth.

Now think about all the things that those are emblematic of ^^.

[faredcarsking123]

What is the 'bright clear jet of light' that protrudes from the head of the Spirit of Christmas Past symbolic of? The illuminating power of the truth... is Scrooge ready to accept the truth? Remember how he tries to extinguish the light by attempting to stifle the flames with the extinguishing cap? He cannot handle the truth - the truth in this case, that he has missed out on 'the joy, the gratitude and the ecstasy' that Belle and her family share in their home 'full of comfort'.

The Ghost of Christmas Present is a 'jolly giant' - he is the paragon of celebration and charity, and is larger-than-life to enunciate the Abundance that is rejoiced during Christmas.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - ominous and anonymous, he never speaks, has en enigmatic shroud enveloping him - it's an austere image that Dickens intends to create within the reader's mind, and evoke sheer suspense within them to amplify the message that life of 'opportunities misused' with result in non-being and an afterlife of 'incessant torture of remorse'.

Jacob Marley - he has constructed a 'ponderous chain', girded 'link by link' from 'cash-boxes', 'padlocks' and 'heavy purses wrought in steel'. This is emblematic of the encumbrances that Marley must now carry in his after-life, ultimately as a repercussion of failing to lead a life immersed in human relations, and instead living a life of greed in the bitter pursuit of wealth.

Now think about all the things that those are emblematic of ^^.

Sorry, I don't think my question was clear, although all of this ^ was very helpful anyway!

I mean what sort of impression does the appearance create on Scrooge.

For example, The Ghost of Christmas present, being a 'jolly giant', is inviting and welcoming to Scrooge, he doesnt really fear him.

I'm not sure about the rest

[Yacoubb]

Sorry, I don't think my question was clear, although all of this ^ was very helpful anyway!

I mean what sort of impression does the appearance create on Scrooge.

For example, The Ghost of Christmas present, being a 'jolly giant', is inviting and welcoming to Scrooge, he doesnt really fear him.

I'm not sure about the rest

Oh, lol! Well what I wrote could still somehow be incorporated into an essay of that nature.

Ghost of Christmas Past: as if to reflect the very nature of memory itself, is described as having 'fluctuated in its distinctness'. Scrooge does not really fear this spectre either.

Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: this phantom, ominous and anonymous in its gothic raiment, is deeply feared by Scrooge. This is the intended effect by Marley who commisions these spectres. This enigmatic phantom ultimately sways Scrooge to conclude the final chapter of his pilgrimage to redemption by allowing him to articulate his own failings.

Marley's Ghost: well he fears Marley's 'dreadful apparition' - why? I personally believe that this is beyond just seeing a spectre and element of the supernatural. It's the fact that Marley is his close companion, and to see the 'incessant torture of remorse' that Marley suffers in his own after-life renders what Marley says about the essence of reforming so much more real. Bottom line - if Scrooge doesn't change, he'll be doomed just like Marley is. Paradoxically though, Dickens sends marley NOT to scare him to the point where he rejects this entire strategy. Instead, constructing Marley as Scrooge's friend means that Scrooge can be at ease and trust that Marley holds his friend's best interests at heart!

[christianb]

since its the final year for ACC, they haven't offered a structural based prompt, do you think it is highly likely this year?

[Yacoubb]

since its the final year for ACC, they haven't offered a structural based prompt, do you think it is highly likely this year?

Perhaps something on HOW Scrooge is redeemed, discussing 'the Past, the Present and the Future' that Dickens:
1. Moulds Scrooge's transformation on
2. Mirrors in his novella (the actual narrative structure).

[Yacoubb]

yes that could be character based i think, how bout something along the lines of the narrative voice used to show dickens message?

I don't think they would do that because it would be too difficult! VCAA aims to create questions/prompts that are supposedly accessible to students of all spectrums of ability (to a certan extent, of course).

[christianb]

ok in terms of thematic questions, do you have any idea what their could offer? because they always i think give an option between a character and theme question

[Yacoubb]

ok in terms of thematic questions, do you have any idea what their could offer? because they always i think give an option between a character and theme question

VCAA hasn't really delved into how moral corruption/greed is synonymous with wealth. Perhaps something on that? Also, different forms of poverty that exist?

[christianb]

ok thankyou! this thread is very useful

[christianb]

also sorry but 1 last question
is this a good plan for this prompt?
how does acc show the importance of family to an individuals happiness?
(don't want to simply talk about in each paragraph about how family is connected to ones happiness but I'm not not entirely sure since the question says "how" and not "to what extent does...." or ).
"Discuss". This is how i would structure it:

P1-importance of family to ones happiness through examples of Cratchits, Fred and Belle. Scrooge thus realises the need to have a family like 'one of them'.

P2- Christmas is also connected to happiness- "air of cheerfulness" amongst "poor revellers". also how generosity during this festive time is connected to happiness evident through Fezziwigs all inclusive approach and Fred resuming to 'drink his wealth'.

P3- depicts the inferior form of poverty- the need to help as theyr are unhappy-anguish in the afterlife if they are ignorant towrads the plight of the poor- lack of happiness shown through Marley.

p4- acc shows that money is not conencted to happiness show through the Cratchit famly and their solidarity in the face of financial poverty- denouncing prejudice against the poor.
What do you think?