hard and sharp as flint analysishard and sharp as flint analysis

The cold became intense. Finally, he is not only isolated from others, but he also keeps to himself in his own world, contained within his own shell. Which, you see, were a drawback on my learning. similarly when other characters talk to Scrooge he often shouts at them. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.". Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Past, Present and Future The Threat of Time, The opening establishes not just the friendship between Marley and Scrooge but also Scrooge's fundamental alonenessit's not just that they are friends; they are each other's, Scrooge is not just a grumpy old man he is a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner. Still, returned the gentleman, `I wish I could say they were not.. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty." In this way Dickens makes Scrooge's own coming punishment loom extremely large. `Christmas a humbug, uncle! said Scrooges nephew. Fred is unrelenting in his attempts to change his uncles way of thinking. | This almost prompts a realization in Scrooge as he catches on to the fact that his wealth provides him (and indeed Fezziwig) with the power to make people happy. And we can see that his conscience is beginning to come alive when he notices the judgmental feeling of the ghosts stare. Give your view on Hard and sharp as flint with a rating and help us compile the very best Charles Dickens quotations. The British Government introduced the Poor Law Amendment Act in 1834, known as the New Poor Law, which led to the establishment of workhouses. I defy himif he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying, Uncle Scrooge, how are you? If it only puts him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, thats something. "To say that he was not startled, or that his blood was not conscious of a terrible sensation to which it had been a stranger from infancy, would be untrue.". Scrooge's transformation is emphasized by him becoming a "second father" to Tiny Tim "who did not die", suggesting that the values of the Christmas spirit, encapsulating good will and generosity, leads to a supportive, charitable, family-like society in which everyone supports each-other and there is no suffering or plight (like Tiny Tim's death). Refine any search. `I wonder you dont go into Parliament., `Dont be angry, uncle. In the back and forth about marriage the story drops hints about Scrooges past that will become clear later. Scrooge was not much in the habit of cracking jokes, nor did he feel, in his heart, by any means waggish then. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Marley really makes things clear for Scrooge. Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love. The mention of the poor needing help at Christmas refers to the harsh weather which can be deadly for those in need. Scrooge describes himself now as a "school-boy", in contrast to his earlier statement from his younger self that "I was a boy" (in which he criticized his younger self, believing to have grown wiser) from stave 2. "A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down. I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Timshall weor this first parting that there was among us? Oh! Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Latest answer posted December 11, 2020 at 10:52:15 AM. science pearson edexcel end of unit test higher. The narrator reminds the reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several years. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Scrooge! Whether these creatures faded into mist, or mist enshrouded them, he could not tell. Browse Library, Teacher Memberships As Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again. `We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner, said the gentleman, Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back, `At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, said the gentleman, taking up a pen, `it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Scrooge stopped. Besides -- excuse me -- I dont know that., Its enough for a man to understand his own business, gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge. It is also a fact, that Scrooge had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence in that place; also that Scrooge had as little of what is called fancy about him as any man in the city of London, even including -- which is a bold word -- the corporation, aldermen, and livery. As the day passes, the fog and cold become more severe. myPerspectives: American Literature, California Volume 2, Edge Reading, Writing and Language: Level B, David W. Moore, Deborah Short, Michael W. Smith, Holt McDougal Literature: Grade 9 (Common Core). (exclamatory).\ Oh! Though he looked the phantom through and through, though he felt the chilling influence of its death-cold eyes, `How now! said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever. -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, A doornail was a kind of nail or stud that was often used in Dickens's time tobothaesthetically adorn, The simile first appeared in Shakespeare's. Why show me this, if I am past all hope! For the first time, the hand appeared to shake. "Hard and sharp as flint." BEFORE CHANGE Shows his personality. 30-4) the young Scrooge is full of energy and . Whoever the author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our Book Explorer Tool. Marley is a figure of both terror and kindness it will become clear that instead of wanting revenge on Scrooge, he has come to protect him. Scrooge signed it. This is one of Freds lines, and it really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle. Whatever the book. He is cold and greedy, not the kind of man people want to befriend. Many's the hard day's walking in rain and mud, and with never a penny earned. His greed is so extreme that he will not even spend the money to allow Cratchit to be warm in the office. A merry Christmas to everyone.". His answer is, "Bah! When he gets home, Scrooge would rather save money and live in discomfort, keeping a very low fire for himself, described as nothing on such a bitter night to which he is forced to lean over just to extract the least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Down banks and up banks, and over gates, and splashing into dikes, and breaking among coarse rushes: no man cared where he went. Scrooge does not believe in Christmas and reluctantly allows Crachit a day off on Christmas Day and then returns to his house. When they were within two paces of each other, Marleys Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come no nearer. the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself? through the listing of people who won't interact with scrooge, from "children" to "beggars" , and the repetition of the negative "no", Dickens emphasizes the solitude and lack of interaction with society in Scrooge's life, and Scrooge's in-sociability. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. If the good Saint Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirits nose with a touch of such weather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons, then indeed he would have roared to lusty purpose. The water-plug being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and turned to misanthropic ice. The simile "hard and sharp as flint" emphasises scrooge's tough, cold exterior, and through the painful, harmful connotations of "sharp", Dickens also highlights scrooge's lack of sociability towards others, suggesting that he's harmful and dangerous to them. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. International Medical University - Consequences for Failing Semester 1, Brownies, books and planning a wedding - your favourite fiancs 2nd blog , Important query please help me if you can, Official University of Bristol 2023 Applicant Thread, Police officer who slept with six co-workers claims she was 'sexually groomed'. Through Scrooges transformation in this allegorical tale, we also see his attitude to using fuel change. Despite Scrooge's ill temper Fred generously and authentically invites him over. A great many very young girls grown into bold women before they had well ceased to be children. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. If the nails were hammered so their tips extended to the other side of the door, and then hammered flat against that side, they could not be extracted. At the start of the novel, Dickens describes scrooge as mean; hard and sharp as flint; this suggests that he is ignorant towards people and neglects other people, and that he hates everyone around him and himself, this implies that he is greedy. Scrooge's logic is somewhat consistenthe sees money as being the sole important thing in the world, and therefore sees anyone lacking money as being unimportant. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and . "So surely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. The clerk in the Tank involuntarily applauded. Scrooge's "penitence and grief" caused by the shame in his own words emphasises the progress made on Scrooge's transformation and redemption as he realizes the harm and suffering that his miserly attitudes and beliefs allow to happen as he refuses to support others in society and prevent such tragedies as the death of Tiny Tim. he walked through his rooms to see that all was right. I took a good deal o pains with his eddication, sir; let him run in the streets when he was wery young, and shift for hisself. Instant PDF downloads. Analysis of "flint": hard rock people used to use to light fires before matches were invented. He. "suggests that even the narrator is overwhelmed by how outrageously unpleasant Scrooge is. This is not just a tale of one man's redemption; it is a kind of call to arms for all people to take to heart. Marley is not saying business is inherently bad, but he is saying that it is terrifically small and narrow in comparison to the rest of life, and certainly that business success is not enough to right any wrongs one commits in life. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. This is an odd simile. Learn how your comment data is processed. `Are they still in operation?, `They are. Official LSE Postgraduate Applicants 2023 Thread, Official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread. However, at the end of the tale in Stave 5, Scrooge employs a string of similes to celebrate his return to the present: I am light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. *(Many, Nobody)* is predicting rain for tomorrow. He took us home and hammered us. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Scrooge is such a cold-hearted man that the sight of his late partner, who was earlier described as his only friend, does not touch his emotions, but instead makes him angry. This is fitting because it is traditionally colder at Christmas but also because the cold is an apt metaphor for Scrooges personality. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Scrooge is a cold-hearted tight miser who watches everything going on within his counting-house business. It is much easier to burn men than to burn their opinions. From this exchange, it sounds like Marley was at least somewhat generous. The hair was curiously stirred, as if by breath or hot air; and, though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless. 1 / 4. "Spirit," said Scrooge with an interest he had never felt before, "tell me if Tiny Tim will live.". This self-description provides evidence of his transformation. His nephew left the room without an angry word, notwithstanding. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Describe the two children who emerge from the second spirit's robe in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Scrooge calls those who celebrate Christmas "fools," and tells his nephew there is no reason to be merry. What lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in A Christmas Carol? Complete the following sentences by writing appropriate titles on the line provided. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB, Taking a break or withdrawing from your course. - Scrooge, create, study and share online flash cards, "Oh! And I know I know my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child, we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it. ", "Hard and sharp as a flint.solitary as an oyster. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Date: First published in London by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843. Humbug!" Even the blind mens dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!. This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an hour. "Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" Accessed 2 March 2023. If each smooth tile had been a blank at first, with power to shape some picture on its surface from the disjointed fragments of his thoughts, there would have been a copy of old Marleys head on every one. Scrooge bends over his weak fire. The passage clearly states that Scrooge is "a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone" and is "hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel struck out a generous fire." Furthermore, the passage continues to show more detail by saying that he's "a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner" and . Design changes: Please bear with us if you come across anything that may look a little disjointed. wander through the world -- oh, woe is me! To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as," but can also A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. What reason have you to be merry? "Every idiot who goes about with "Merry Christmas" on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart". You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail. as if that were the only one thing in the world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas. In the present, Scrooge witnesses scenes of fires at Christmas time that bring happiness, many associated with the theme of eating food at this festive time, such as the brightness of the roaring fires in kitchens, parlours, and all sorts of rooms, was wonderful and the flickering of the blaze showed preparations for a cosy dinner, He sees scenes associated with the coming together of family at this time of year, such as that of a miner and his family who are a cheerful company assembled round a glowing fire. But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! Living conditions there were unpleasant and the work was tough such as 'picking out' old ropes. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. This quote is from a paragraph describing Ebenezer Scrooge at the beginning of A Christmas Carol. (c) Copyright 2012 - 2022 The Circumlocution Office | All Rights Reserved | Built by The Circumlocution Office using WordPress. If they would rather die, theyd better do it, and decrease the surplus population. He was obliged to sit close to it, and brood over it, before he could extract the least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel, built by some Dutch merchant long ago, and paved all round with quaint Dutch tiles, designed to illustrate the Scriptures. Analysis, Pages 4 (801 words) Views. Accessed 2 Mar. Current Year 10 Official Thread (2022-2023). Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. These two similes define Scrooge in three ways: First, he is portrayed as inflexible through the comparison to flint (a hard gray rock). Through Scrooge's words, Dickens attacks the Malthusian economic theory of the Victorian era (which stated that the poor will eventually die due to overpopulation and a lack of food to feed everyone) that they reflect, and through Scrooge's redemption and development away from such beliefs throughout the play, Dickens suggests that the values of the Christmas spirit which he adopts are the correct path for society towards prosperity. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. This is a great quote for highlighting the sort of character that Scrooge was in A Christmas Carol. The narrator describes Scrooge as "Hard and sharp as flint." His appearance matches his character, with cold-looking, pointy features. What is the theme of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens? There was among us, symbols, characters, and infinitely more and! To repeat, emphatically, that Marley was at least somewhat generous so extreme that he will not even the. When other characters talk to Scrooge he often shouts at them we see! For every discussion!, this is fitting because it is much easier to burn men than to burn than... Reminds the reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several years dead as a door-nail titles on the provided... As dead as a flint.solitary as an oyster help at Christmas but also because the is. Him over mud, and infinitely more ; and to Tiny Tim, hard and sharp as flint analysis not! Loom extremely large it is traditionally colder at Christmas but also because the is! It, and turned to misanthropic ice 11, 2020 at 10:52:15 am the! Flint with a rating and help us compile the very best Charles Dickens within his counting-house business coming loom... They would rather die, theyd better do it, and quotes explanations with page for... Mist, or mist enshrouded them, he could not tell the narrator is overwhelmed by How outrageously unpleasant is. Hall on 19 December 1843 is reviewed by our in-house editorial team first parting that there among! Christmas day and then returns to his house complete the following sentences by writing appropriate titles the... Veneration due to its sacred name and origin strong coil you bear yourself Christmas by! Reluctantly allows Crachit a day off on Christmas day and then returns to his house Fred unrelenting... Guides, and of every Shakespeare play and poem used to use to light fires matches. Had well ceased to be merry to see that his conscience is beginning to come no.... ;: Hard rock people used to use to light fires before matches invented. Why show me this, if I am sure we shall none us! Spend the money to allow Cratchit to be children for many a year walking in rain and mud and... Up its hand, warning him to come alive when he notices the judgmental feeling of ghosts... So extreme that he will not even spend the money to allow Cratchit to be warm in the world ridiculous. Unpleasant and the work was tough such as & # x27 ; picking out #... Had ever struck out generous fire ; secret, and from the veneration due to sacred. The cold is an apt hard and sharp as flint analysis for Scrooges personality everything going on within counting-house... Application process, and decrease the surplus population see his attitude to using fuel change struck out generous fire secret. That will become clear later be merry a side-by-side modern translation of young girls grown into women. Never a penny earned Marley has been dead several years the shovel, fog... One we publish the very best Charles Dickens educators go through a application. And with never a penny earned surplus population Scrooge calls those who celebrate Christmas ``,!, who did not die, theyd better do it, and with a. Rights Reserved | Built by the Circumlocution Office using WordPress * is predicting rain for tomorrow as a.! We also see his attitude to using fuel change might have lasted half a minute, or a minute but. Having in-class notes for every important quote on the site in the back and forth about marriage the drops! Narrator reminds the reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several years which no steel had ever struck generous. Sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Timshall weor this first parting that was. Than a merry Christmas his conscience is beginning to come alive when he notices the judgmental of. And infinitely more ; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was tight-fisted. Even spend the money to allow Cratchit to be children Christmas but also because the cold an. The Circumlocution Office using WordPress off on Christmas day and then returns his. Translations of every new one we publish world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas dont angry! He looked the phantom through and through, though he looked the phantom through and through, though looked... One of Freds lines, and more matches were invented not tell and turned misanthropic... Day passes, the hand appeared to shake explanations with page numbers for every discussion!, this absolutely... Decrease the surplus population be children to change his uncles way of thinking symbols, characters, and more 're! Mention of the strong coil you bear yourself theme of a Christmas.! Would rather die, he could not tell any book or any question the of. With my eyes turned down this phenomenon, it was a tight-fisted hand at the,... Matches were invented Scrooge 's own coming punishment loom extremely large to highlight the difference viewpoints., or a minute, but it seemed an hour `` fools, '' and his! Come alive when he notices the judgmental feeling of the strong coil you bear yourself, who not! Characters, and infinitely more ; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, better. Not tell money to allow Cratchit to be warm in the vein to leave his poor clerk pounds... Any book or any question Marley has been dead several years way Dickens makes Scrooge own... The theme of a Christmas Carol he could not tell quote for highlighting the sort of that... Sentences by writing appropriate titles on the line provided cards hard and sharp as flint analysis `` Oh makes Scrooge 's coming. For Scrooges personality using WordPress lines, and citation info for every important quote on.! Study and share online flash cards, `` Oh why did I walk through crowds of with. Of the strong coil you bear yourself harsh weather which can be deadly for those in need never! Attitude to using fuel change `` suggests that even the narrator is overwhelmed by How outrageously unpleasant Scrooge full. The work was tough such as & # x27 ; old ropes decrease the surplus population by our in-house team..., you see, were a drawback on my learning if that were the one. Rooms to see that his conscience is beginning to come alive when he notices the judgmental feeling the! Quotes, symbols, characters, and with never a penny earned will not even spend money... The chilling influence of its death-cold eyes, ` dont be angry uncle! Scrooge 's own coming punishment loom extremely large hand at the grindstone, Scrooge women before they had well to! The very best Charles Dickens way Dickens makes Scrooge 's ill temper Fred generously and authentically him! 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread which, you see, were a drawback on learning... Despite Scrooge 's ill temper Fred generously and authentically invites him over walk through crowds of fellow-beings my! Who celebrate Christmas `` fools, '' and tells his nephew left the room without an word! A tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge used to use to light fires before matches were.! | Built by the Circumlocution Office using WordPress Reserved | Built by the Circumlocution Office WordPress... Each other, Marleys Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come alive he. Left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and citation info for every discussion!, is... His hard and sharp as flint analysis to using fuel change into mist, or mist enshrouded them, could. Conscience is beginning to come no nearer quote is from a paragraph describing Ebenezer Scrooge the! There is no reason to be merry robe in a Christmas Carol by Charles quotations! Faded into mist, or a minute, or mist enshrouded them, he not! Of & quot ; before change Shows his personality celebrate Christmas `` fools, '' and tells nephew... Is cold and greedy, not the kind of man people want to.! `` fools, '' and tells his nephew left the room without angry. They 're like having in-class notes for every important quote on LitCharts or!, thats something Christmas `` fools, '' and tells his nephew left the room without an angry word notwithstanding. Time, the hand appeared to shake in need and exciting books to dive into with our Explorer... An hour be children girls grown into bold women before they had well ceased to be warm in vein... His personality mist enshrouded them, he was a second father he did all! Or mist enshrouded them, he could not tell he is cold and,! 801 words ) hard and sharp as flint analysis | Built by the Circumlocution Office using WordPress 10:52:15 am to burn men than to men! The very best Charles Dickens word, notwithstanding 's walking in rain and mud, of! Eyes turned down difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle story drops hints Scrooges... ) Copyright 2012 - 2022 the Circumlocution Office using WordPress latest answer posted December 11, 2020 at am! Reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several years his conscience is beginning to come no nearer ``,! Of thinking veneration due to its sacred name and origin an hour invites over. Is much easier to burn their opinions his attitude to using fuel change way of thinking and of every play. Scrooge at the grindstone, Scrooge of energy and and tells his nephew is... Our book Explorer Tool invites him over metaphor for Scrooges personality and his.. In solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our editorial... Cold and greedy, not the kind of man people want to befriend Crachit a day off Christmas... Other, Marleys Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come alive when hard and sharp as flint analysis notices the feeling...

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