EXAM PREPARATION ** A Christmas Carol Discussion Thread

[Yacoubb]

Hi guys
So nearing exam preparation, many of us here on AN will be studying 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens for the end of year exam. I thought in order to facilitate our preparation, we could share ideas and formulate discussions to further enhance our understanding of the text.

[Rishi97]

Hi guys
So nearing exam preparation, many of us here on AN will be studying 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens for the end of year exam. I thought in order to facilitate our preparation, we could share ideas and formulate discussions to further enhance our understanding of the text.

Good idea!!!
What interpretations do you have on the importance of ignorance and want?

[katiesaliba]

What's your interpretation of this passage from ACC:

Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here, and dress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy command: for this is thy dominion! But of the loved, revered, and honoured head, thou canst not turn one hair to thy dread purposes, or make one feature odious. It is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released; it is not that the heart and pulse are still; but that the hand was open, generous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender; and the pulse a man's. Strike, Shadow, strike! And see his good deeds springing from the wound, to sow the world with life immortal.

Reading it makes me shudder It's my least favourite part from ACC!

[Yacoubb]

Good idea!!!
What interpretations do you have on the importance of ignorance and want?

Ignorance and Want are emblematic of the children who are stripped of their humane qualities by the oppressive Malthusian principles, that the Victorian elite rigidly adhere to. It is also the means through which Dickens admonishes his audience of Victorian elitists of the repercussions of neglecting the poor and destitute - that is, that these 'woflish, yellow, meagre' children will evolve into the same 'slipshod, ugly' poor who are prepared to feed on 'greasy offal' and steal trivial possessions in desperature measures to survive.

What's your interpretation of this passage from ACC:

Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here, and dress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy command: for this is thy dominion! But of the loved, revered, and honoured head, thou canst not turn one hair to thy dread purposes, or make one feature odious. It is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released; it is not that the heart and pulse are still; but that the hand was open, generous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender; and the pulse a man's. Strike, Shadow, strike! And see his good deeds springing from the wound, to sow the world with life immortal.

Reading it makes me shudder It's my least favourite part from ACC!

The part of this passage that states, "it is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released", but "that the hand was open, generous and Scrooge", really reiterates that the crux of Scrooge's problem is that he is not innately evil; he harbours genuine human goodness, and the capacity to do well. But, he has repressed this for the 'master passion, Gain'. So, it's almost as though Scrooge must be put through the ordeal, and make a pilgrimage to the Past, the Present and the Future, in order to regain contact with these deeds that he 'has long, long forgotten'.

That's my interpretation!!

[katiesaliba]

The part of this passage that states, "it is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released", but "that the hand was open, generous and Scrooge", really reiterates that the crux of Scrooge's problem is that he is not innately evil; he harbours genuine human goodness, and the capacity to do well. But, he has repressed this for the 'master passion, Gain'. So, it's almost as though Scrooge must be put through the ordeal, and make a pilgrimage to the Past, the Present and the Future, in order to regain contact with these deeds that he 'has long, long forgotten'.

That's my interpretation!!

Interesting! I perceive it as a kind of ominous dichotomisation of society and each faction's fate. "Of the loved, revered, and honoured head", death will not "make one feature odious", thus insinuating that the generous will be "immortal" in spirit. However, the callous and cantankerous members of society will succumb to Death's "dominion", therefore paving their way into purgatory and "incessant torture of remorse". But really, in my opinion, the passage was added in by Dickens to meet his word quota. 

[christianb]

as a thematic question, do you think its right to simply prepare for essays that are about the need for social reform and Dickens need to educate since they seem to be the most reoccurring?

[Yacoubb]

as a thematic question, do you think its right to simply prepare for essays that are about the need for social reform and Dickens need to educate since they seem to be the most reoccurring?

I'd probably write essays on different ends of the spectrum, from the role of secondary characters, to the need for social reform, because this will cover all aspects that could be assessed. You're preparing yourself sufficiently by doing this, and insufficiently by relying only on education. Plus, education was examined last year. Role of the ghosts hasn't been looked at...