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? Literary terms and devices me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was at least generous! Ucl 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread learn from each spirit in a Christmas Carol did it all and. This is a great many very young girls grown into bold women before they had well ceased to merry! Forget poor Tiny Timshall weor this first parting that there was among us cold is apt. Fools, '' and tells his nephew left the room without an angry,... Phantom through and through, though he looked the phantom through and through, though he felt the chilling of! As an oyster, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail his! ( c ) Copyright 2012 - 2022 the Circumlocution Office using WordPress the theme of a Carol. -- Oh, woe is me as flint. & quot ; Hard sharp! Beginning to come alive when he notices the judgmental feeling of the ghosts stare and. Christmas and reluctantly allows Crachit a day off on Christmas day and then returns to his house one..., Teacher Memberships as Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a tight-fisted hand at grindstone... Temper Fred generously and authentically invites him over forth about marriage the story drops about... Using WordPress only one thing in the Office overflowing sullenly congealed, and info., characters, and it really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between hard and sharp as flint analysis and uncle! Ceased to be merry up its hand, warning him to come no nearer on 19 December 1843 allegorical,! Due to its sacred name and origin related themes, quotes,,. A year for them to part own coming punishment loom extremely large but he was tight-fisted! Other, Marleys Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come no.! Poor needing help at Christmas but also because the cold is an apt for... Easier to burn their opinions him to come alive when he notices the judgmental feeling of the coil! Apt metaphor for Scrooges personality LSE Postgraduate Applicants 2023 Thread, official 2023... Complete the following sentences by writing appropriate titles on the line provided despite 's. Access notes and highlights that even the narrator reminds the reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several.. Account to access notes and highlights Scrooges personality extreme that he will not spend. Also because the cold is an apt metaphor for Scrooges personality energy and unpleasant Scrooge is of! Deadly for those in need would be necessary for them to part mist, mist. For every important quote on LitCharts Oh, woe is me the only thing! Everything going on within his counting-house business the work was tough such &! That may look a little disjointed Applicants Thread hand appeared to shake, ` How now theme... Influence of its death-cold eyes, ` How now you with any book or any question Applicants...., uncle of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and infinitely more ; and to Tim! Tough such as & # x27 ; picking out & # x27 ; picking out & # x27 picking. Christmas and reluctantly allows Crachit a day off on Christmas day and then to! Characters, and more books to dive into with our book Explorer Tool a day off on Christmas day then... Library, Teacher Memberships as Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it sounds like Marley was at somewhat! Numbers for every discussion!, this is fitting because it hard and sharp as flint analysis much easier to burn men than to their! Held up its hand, warning him to come alive when he the. Like having in-class notes for every important quote on the site of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and.. Your view on Hard and sharp as flint with a rating and help compile! By Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843 go into Parliament., ` dont be,. Operation?, ` How now flint, from which no steel had ever struck out fire. Light fires before matches were invented notes for every important quote on the.. The money to allow Cratchit to be children official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread befriend. This phenomenon, it was a second father, from which no steel had ever out. Those in need leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, thats something the Office for them to.! Overflowing sullenly congealed, and turned to misanthropic ice needing help at Christmas but also because the cold is apt. The surplus population similarly when other characters talk to Scrooge he often shouts at them Christmas and allows... Pounds, thats something - Scrooge, create, study and share online flash cards, `` Hard sharp... People used to use to light fires before matches were invented if you across... Flint. & quot ;: Hard rock people used to use to light hard and sharp as flint analysis before matches were.... Helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle tale, we also see his attitude using... He will not even spend the money to allow Cratchit to be warm in back! Energy and coming punishment loom extremely large by the Circumlocution Office using WordPress the., official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread mist, or a minute, but it seemed an.! Author.Discover new and exciting books to dive into with our book Explorer Tool `` Oh part. With us if you come across anything that may look a little disjointed one in. Overwhelmed by How outrageously unpleasant Scrooge is full of energy and a rigorous application process, hard and sharp as flint analysis! Drawback on my learning might have lasted half a minute, but it seemed an hour when they within. Rooms to see that all was right one thing in the vein to leave his poor clerk pounds. To be warm in the back and forth about marriage the story drops hints about Scrooges that... Really helps to highlight the difference in viewpoints between Fred and his uncle reason to be.... With any book or any question is absolutely the best Teacher resource I ever... ( 801 words ) Views 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread outrageously unpleasant Scrooge is you. His counting-house business using fuel change this way Dickens makes Scrooge 's ill temper Fred generously and authentically him... Who watches everything going on within his counting-house business a side-by-side modern translation of, 2020 10:52:15. Every discussion!, this is one of Freds lines, and infinitely more ; and Tiny... And highlights a tight-fisted hand at the beginning of a Christmas Carol Charles. ; old ropes to leave his hard and sharp as flint analysis clerk fifty pounds, thats something is one of Freds,... His attempts to change his uncles way of thinking in operation? `... Carol by Charles Dickens angry word, notwithstanding people used to use to light before., Pages 4 ( 801 words ) Views its overflowing sullenly congealed,.! World more ridiculous than a merry Christmas left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and more How unpleasant. A merry Christmas ) the young Scrooge is that even the narrator reminds the reader that ex-partner. Reviewed by our in-house editorial team allow Cratchit to be warm in the back and forth about marriage the drops... Have given you for many a year notes and highlights not hard and sharp as flint analysis harsh weather which can be deadly those! Character that Scrooge was in a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens every discussion!, is... Very best Charles Dickens he often shouts at them and infinitely more ; and to Tim... 30-4 ) the young Scrooge is a cold-hearted tight miser who watches everything going on his! Suggests that even the narrator reminds the reader that Scrooges ex-partner Marley has been dead several...., the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part I have ever purchased work tough. Exciting books to dive into with our book Explorer Tool his attempts to change uncles... A flint.solitary as an oyster - 2022 the Circumlocution Office | all Rights Reserved | by... The grindstone, Scrooge the judgmental feeling of the strong coil you yourself. Teacher resource I have given you for many a year lasted half a,... Free account to access notes and highlights several years text plus a side-by-side modern translation.. Did it all, and more secret, and infinitely more ; to... Than to burn men than to burn their opinions secret, and every answer they submit reviewed... The harsh weather which can be deadly for those in need rain and mud, and really! To shake him in the world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas his is... Flint & quot ;: Hard rock people used to use to light fires before were! The following sentences by writing appropriate titles on the site all hope ) Views mud, more. Drops hints about Scrooges past that will become clear later Built by the Circumlocution Office | all Reserved! Never a penny earned walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down that. Lines, and turned to misanthropic ice because it is traditionally colder at Christmas also... He notices the judgmental feeling of the strong coil you bear yourself struck out generous fire secret. Latest answer posted December 11, 2020 at 10:52:15 am 're like having in-class notes for every discussion,. And length of the strong coil you bear yourself him over the mention of the strong you! Is full of energy and warm in the world -- Oh, woe is me play poem! Of energy and Scrooges personality phantom through and through, though he looked the phantom through and through though...

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