A Christmas Carol

Read from 'From the foldings of its robe, it brought two children' to 'This girl is Want' (Stave Three, page 63). In this extract, Scrooge questions the Spirit about what is hidden beneath its robes.

Sheila: I know I'm to blame – and I'm desperately sorry… It's simply my fault.

Explore the importance of poverty in the novel.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

In your answer, you must:

• Explore how Dickens presents poverty in this extract through the description of the children.
• Discuss how Dickens presents ideas about poverty in the novel as a whole.

(Includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation.)

(Total for Question = 40 marks)

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In this extract, Dickens portrays Scrooge as someone consumed by his obsession with money, to the extent that he prioritises it over the woman he was once engaged to. Both his appearance and his words reveal this fixation.

Dickens emphasises Scrooge's obsession by describing his face and eyes, which reflect his greed; his face had 'begun to show the signs of care and avarice', and his eyes exhibited an 'eager, greedy, restless motion'. The terms 'avarice' and 'greedy' underscore his intense love of money, while 'restless' suggests that he will never be content with what he has.

Dickens further illustrates this passion for wealth by comparing it to a tree that has 'taken root' and will eventually cast a 'shadow', indicating that Scrooge's future will be bleak if he continues down this path. The word 'passion' also connects back to Belle, as Scrooge should feel passion for her, yet he doesn't.

Belle confronts Scrooge, referring to money as his 'idol', implying that he worships it, and she describes his obsession as his 'master-passion'. Even though these are strong accusations, Scrooge doesn't deny them—instead, he justifies his actions. Dickens uses this moment to show the beginning of the Scrooge we meet later in the office on Christmas Eve.

In addition to defending his love of money, Scrooge dismisses his younger self: '"I was a boy," he said impatiently.' This response highlights how much he has changed and suggests that Belle was right to break off their engagement.

Overall, this passage clearly demonstrates that Scrooge valued money above all else and believed it was the right path. Through this, Dickens conveys his message about the dangers of valuing money over people.

This theme is also evident in other parts of the novel. At the beginning, in the office scene, Dickens quickly establishes Scrooge's miserly nature by showing how he begrudges Cratchit even one extra lump of coal, warning that if Cratchit were to fetch more, 'the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part'.

This scene reminds us of the unstable nature of employment at the time, linking back to young Scrooge's determination to earn enough money to avoid such a situation. Dickens further shows that Scrooge sees Christmas as a waste of money and time that could be better spent earning more.

Finally, Dickens delivers a powerful shock in the scene with the charity collectors. Here, he makes it clear that Scrooge values money more than human life when he suggests that the poor should die to 'decrease the surplus population'. Dickens intends for us to be appalled by Scrooge's views and reject everything he stands for. The phrase 'surplus population' is used to make a political statement about contemporary attitudes and policies towards the poor—views that Dickens strongly opposed. At the time, many believed that the poor were simply lazy, but Dickens argued that they needed education and better opportunities. He reinforces this message with the depiction of the children, Ignorance and Want, along with the warning to 'Beware this boy (Ignorance), for on his brow I see that written which is Doom'.

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The five words—'wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable'—that Dickens uses to describe the children show how he views the terrible effects of poverty on the vulnerable. Even Scrooge, who usually doesn't care about others, is 'appalled' by their suffering.

The children appear in the story right after the Ghost of Christmas Present has shown Scrooge happy scenes of Christmas across the country, creating a strong contrast. Dickens uses this contrast to highlight the big differences between people's lives. He continues to show this through other contrasts, like between youth and age, and by describing the children's faces where 'angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked'.

The children don't have names. Dickens calls them 'monsters', and the Ghost names the boy 'Ignorance' and the girl 'Want'. By not giving them personal names, Dickens makes them symbols of the problems in society. They stay in ignorance because they can't get an education, and they suffer from want because no one is taking care of them. They don't speak, but their actions—kneeling at the Ghost's feet and holding onto its clothes—show how helpless they are.

Dickens uses these children to warn Scrooge about what happens when the poor are neglected. The Ghost tells Scrooge to 'Beware' of the boy, who has a warning of 'Doom' on his forehead, suggesting that society will suffer if poverty isn't dealt with.

Throughout the novel, Dickens often talks about poverty. The difference between rich and poor is shown early on between Scrooge and his employee Bob Cratchit; Scrooge only cares about making money and treats Cratchit badly. It seems that Dickens blames wealthy businessmen for the poverty around them. For instance, when Marley's ghost appears, it's weighed down by chains and symbols of money-making, just as its guilt about not helping others weighs heavily on its conscience.

The charity collectors who visit Scrooge remind us that rich Victorians had a duty to help the poor. From visiting workhouses and prisons, Dickens knew that the law didn't do enough to solve poverty. He hints at the conditions there when the gentleman tells Scrooge, 'Many can't go there; and many would rather die.' On the other hand, Mr. Fezziwig represents how the rich should treat the poor, especially at Christmas, making Scrooge feel guilty about how he treats Bob Cratchit.

Poverty is shown throughout the novel. Besides the children in this passage, Dickens shows poor families like the Cratchits. He shows that they are willing to work hard, even the children. Despite being poor, they are a happy family, and through them, Dickens suggests that people can be rich in ways other than money.

One result of poverty in the nineteenth century was debt. Dickens knew from experience that people feared debt because they could end up in prison, separated from their families. He makes this point in Stave Four when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows the only people in town who feel anything after Scrooge's death: they feel relieved to have escaped their 'merciless creditor'.

Dickens criticises the social injustice and features of Victorian society that keep people in poverty. He uses this Christmas story to appeal to Christian values of loving our neighbours, especially during the festive season when 'Want is keenly felt and Abundance rejoices'. His message is the opposite of Scrooge's 'It's not my business'. Marley's ghost sums it up by telling Scrooge, 'Mankind was my business'.

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By juxtaposing Fezziwig's party, where the young Scrooge experienced happiness and joy, with this pivotal scene, Dickens reveals the moment when Scrooge chose money over human relationships. In the 'prime of his life,' Scrooge justifies his 'passion' for wealth, ironically seeking to satisfy a world that he simultaneously rejects through this choice.

Dickens often reveals Scrooge's character through his appearance, emphasising his greed and 'passion' by using the metaphor of a tree that will grow to cast a 'shadow'. This imagery evokes the Garden of Eden, suggesting that this is the moment when Scrooge metaphorically steps into the wilderness and away from God, a concept further symbolised in the novel by the initial obscuring and eventual joyful ringing of the church bell tower.

Belle's use of the term 'idol' to describe Scrooge's relationship with money is particularly striking. Its biblical connotation, equating money with a god, would have resonated with Victorian readers, adding a sinister layer of meaning to the noun and encapsulating Scrooge's total obsession with wealth, implying that it is, at the very least, spiritually damaging.

Scrooge's rationalisation of his 'pursuit of wealth' is deeply ironic—he claims that 'there is nothing on which [the world] is so hard as poverty.' Dickens's irony is subtle here, but it becomes evident when we recall his earlier description of Scrooge as someone who likes 'to edge along the crowded paths of life'. This highlights Scrooge's hypocrisy in seeking social acceptance while simultaneously rejecting 'human sympathy'.

Dickens's portrayal of Belle as articulate and thoughtful further underscores the gravity of Scrooge's poor decision, illustrating the negative consequences of his attitude towards money. Scrooge dismisses his younger self with, '"I was a boy," he said impatiently.' The adverb 'impatiently' contrasts sharply with Belle's dignity and aligns with the 'restless motion in the eye,' indicating that Scrooge's pursuit of money is a love that will never be fulfilled. The reader is led to understand that unless Scrooge changes, only death will end this relentless pursuit.

Moreover, Scrooge describes his attitude towards money as a sign of having 'grown so much wiser.' Here, Dickens encourages readers to reflect on the value of money and the wisdom of letting it dominate one's life. Earlier in the office, Scrooge had mocked Fred for being merry at Christmas despite being 'poor enough'. However, Fred articulates Dickens's message that the emotional and social aspects of Christmas hold intrinsic value: 'it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe [Christmas] has done me good.' Dickens invites us to choose which 'wisdom' we follow regarding money, clearly presenting Fred's approach as the preferable path.

The true peril of idolising money becomes most apparent when Scrooge encounters the charity collectors. In this scene, Dickens reveals the extent of Scrooge's rejection of human compassion. Through the dialogue, Dickens gradually uncovers Scrooge's shockingly harsh attitude towards the poor. When Scrooge finally expresses his Malthusian view that the poor should die to 'decrease the surplus population,' Dickens renders Scrooge so despicable that we instinctively reject his argument in favour of Dickens's far more compassionate 'ghost of an idea'. By weaving political commentary into an engaging Christmas story, Dickens compels his readers to reflect on their attitudes towards money.

Scrooge's fixation on wealth is consistently established throughout the novel, making his eventual transformation all the more powerful. Dickens carefully ensures that Scrooge corrects his earlier mistakes and adopts a new attitude towards money—one that brings him joy through giving and supporting others. He gives half a crown to the boy who fetches the Poulterer, thus atoning for his earlier mistreatment of the carol singer; he makes 'a great many back payments' to the charity collector and joins Fred and his family for Christmas Day. Dickens concludes by making it clear that this change in Scrooge's relationship with money is enduring and enriches him emotionally and socially, implying that we too will be 'richer' if we embrace such a perspective.

Pride and Prejudice

Read from '"Engaged to Mr Collins! my dear Charlotte ..."' to '... happy in the lot she had chosen' (Vol. 1, Ch. 22). In this extract, Charlotte Lucas explains to Elizabeth her reasons for accepting Mr Collins's marriage proposal.

Explore the importance of marriage in the novel.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

In your answer, you must:

• Explore how Austen presents ideas about marriage in this extract.
• Discuss how Austen presents ideas about marriage in the novel as a whole.

(Includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation.)

(Total for Question = 40 marks)

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Firstly, Lady Catherine seems to regard Darcy almost as her personal possession. Her remark, "while in their cradles, we planned the union," indicates that she believes she has the right to control Darcy's marriage as if it were preordained from his infancy. This reflects her belief in her authority over him and her attempt to extend that control to Elizabeth.

Austen also highlights Lady Catherine's malicious side. When she describes Elizabeth as a young woman of "inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family," it underscores Lady Catherine's contempt. In that era, family connections were crucial, and Lady Catherine's use of the term "inferior" not only insults Elizabeth but also disparages her family.

Lady Catherine's cruelty is further evident when she threatens Elizabeth. She declares that Elizabeth will be "censured, slighted, and despised, by everyone connected with him," and that their union will bring "disgrace." Words like "despised" and "disgrace" highlight her belief that the marriage will cause social rejection and dishonour, not only from her but potentially from others as well.

Austen also illustrates Lady Catherine's attempt at emotional manipulation. By asking, "Is this your gratitude for my attentions to you last spring? Is nothing due to me on that score?" Lady Catherine uses rhetorical questions to suggest that Elizabeth owes her something. This manipulation is meant to make Elizabeth feel guilty and compliant, but it has the opposite effect, as Elizabeth feels no obligation.

When Elizabeth first meets Lady Catherine while staying with Charlotte and Mr Collins, she has already heard about Lady Catherine's wealth and pretensions. Despite this, Elizabeth is not intimidated, as she has not heard of Lady Catherine possessing any "extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue."

During her initial evening at Rosings, Lady Catherine interrogates Elizabeth about her background. Elizabeth finds Lady Catherine's questions "impertinent," a surprising choice of word that implies rudeness and a lack of proper decorum. Despite Lady Catherine's behaviour, Elizabeth remains composed, recognising that she might be one of the few who challenges Lady Catherine's authority.

In this extract, Elizabeth's patience with Lady Catherine wears thin, and although she remains calm for a while, she eventually demands to leave. Lady Catherine's dismissal of Elizabeth with "I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet" suggests the end of their relationship. However, Austen introduces an unexpected twist, hinting at further developments in the story.

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Marriage is a central theme in Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Austen explores various attitudes towards it. These attitudes are shaped by social expectations and personal choices. In this passage, Charlotte Lucas's decision to marry Mr Collins threatens her friendship with Elizabeth Bennet.

When Elizabeth first hears about Charlotte's engagement, she reacts with shock: 'Engaged to Mr Collins! My dear Charlotte, – impossible!' This reaction is very different from her usual polite manner and breaks the social norms of the time, where it would be expected to congratulate someone on their engagement. Austen uses this moment to show Elizabeth's genuine disbelief and disappointment, revealing her strong feelings about Charlotte's choice. Charlotte's brief look of 'confusion' and the 'awkward pause' that follows signal the tension between the two friends, as they both realise that their views on marriage are very different.

Although Elizabeth later manages to say, 'all imaginable happiness', it's clear that she doubts Charlotte will actually find happiness with Mr Collins. Elizabeth values love and mutual respect in a marriage, and she struggles to understand why Charlotte would marry someone like Mr Collins, who lacks these qualities. This scene highlights the clash between Charlotte's practical approach to marriage and Elizabeth's more romantic ideals.

Earlier in the novel, Charlotte had advised Elizabeth that her sister Jane should 'show more affection than she feels' to secure Bingley's attention. This shows Charlotte's pragmatic view of marriage—she doesn't believe in waiting for love but thinks marriage is about securing a stable future. In contrast, Elizabeth is shocked to discover that her friend would 'sacrifice every better feeling to worldly advantage'. Charlotte defends her choice by asking Elizabeth, 'Do you think it incredible that Mr Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?' This response highlights the tension between the two friends and suggests that Elizabeth's views might be overly idealistic.

Elizabeth's reaction to Charlotte's engagement shows her distress and disappointment, as seen in her use of words like 'unsuitable', 'pang', 'sacrificed', and 'distressing'. This moment is significant because it challenges Elizabeth's understanding of her friend and forces her to start questioning her own judgments. This experience is a step towards the self-awareness and humility that Elizabeth needs to develop as the story progresses.

Charlotte's decision to marry Mr Collins is a key moment in the novel's exploration of love, marriage, and materialism. Austen presents strong arguments for both sides of the debate. One important point is the impact of Charlotte's marriage on her family. Her marriage relieves her brothers of the financial burden of supporting her and offers her sisters better opportunities. Although Mr Collins 'is neither sensible nor agreeable', Charlotte sees the marriage as a way to secure her future, showing her practical approach to life.

The reactions of Elizabeth's parents to her refusal of Mr Collins also reflect different views on marriage. Mrs Bennet is focused on 'getting her daughters married' and is outraged by Elizabeth's refusal, while Mr Bennet supports Elizabeth, but with his usual sarcasm: 'Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.' Much later, when Mr Bennet fears Elizabeth is about to marry Darcy, a man she does not love, he expresses his concerns more seriously: 'Oh my child, do not let me have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life.' This highlights the importance of respect in marriage, though love is often missing from these discussions.

Other marriages in the novel, like Jane and Bingley's, highlight the importance of love and mutual respect. Their relationship is based on genuine affection and a 'general similarity of feeling and taste', making them well-suited to each other. In contrast, Charlotte's marriage to Mr Collins lacks these qualities, and Austen uses their union to question the idea that marriage should be based solely on practical concerns. By comparing these different marriages, Austen explores the complexities of love, respect, and financial security in relationships, and how they contribute to a successful marriage.

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This scene is pivotal in Austen's narrative, embodying a clash between old-world arrogance and new-world sincerity. It encapsulates the novel's central themes and starkly reveals Lady Catherine as the arrogant and cruel snob she truly is.

Lady Catherine's pretentious self-importance, previously comically illustrated in Elizabeth's visits to Rosings, is laid bare in this confrontation. Confidently demanding that Elizabeth renounce any intention of marrying Darcy, Lady Catherine resorts to threats when Elizabeth refuses. Her use of the three adjectives 'censured, slighted, and despised' aims to emphasise the potential shame Elizabeth would face.

Lady Catherine's reliance on rhetorical language is notable. Once she finds a rhythm in her speech, she persists without pause. For instance, she poses a series of rhetorical questions starting with 'Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends?' These questions, meant to assert her dominance, reveal her disdain for any disagreement. When Elizabeth responds calmly and logically, Lady Catherine is caught off guard. Her shocked reaction and the ensuing silence—'Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment'—highlight her inability to counter Elizabeth's reasoned argument.

Throughout Elizabeth's visits to Rosings, Lady Catherine's lack of logic and manners has been evident. Even in trivial matters, such as her after-dinner music performance, her pretentiousness shines through. She boasts of her supposed musical talent, despite having never learned to play, revealing her self-delusion. Austen's ironic portrayal allows readers to see Lady Catherine's folly, and Elizabeth likely shares this perspective, as Mr Darcy appears embarrassed by his aunt's behaviour.

'Pride and Prejudice' reflects the eighteenth-century novel of manners, with true gentility being a key theme. Lady Catherine's example demonstrates that social class does not inherently equate to genuine gentility.

Lady Catherine's attempt to intimidate Elizabeth at Longbourn contrasts sharply with the earlier visits. At Rosings, Elizabeth could dismiss Lady Catherine's arrogance with detachment. However, her feelings for Darcy and her uncertainty about his view of Lady Catherine make her defiance more poignant. Elizabeth's courageous assertion—'Whatever my connections may be, if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you'—reflects both her strength and her underlying insecurity.

Austen's structural choice to have Elizabeth's defiance lead to Darcy's renewed proposal is masterful. Lady Catherine's self-proclaimed 'frankness,' which translates to rudeness, is juxtaposed with Elizabeth's genuine honesty. Darcy's recognition of Elizabeth's integrity—'Had you been [...] decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine frankly'—underscores the difference between their values. Elizabeth's frankness and Lady Catherine's reduced role as a mere intermediary highlight Austen's clever narrative twist.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Read from Chapter 9 (Doctor Lanyon's Narrative) 'He sprang to it' to 'you who have derided your superiors – behold!' (pages 54–5). At this point in the novel, Dr Jekyll, transformed into Mr Hyde, reveals his experiment.

Explore the importance of relationships in the novel.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

In your answer, you must:

• Explore how Stevenson presents the interaction between Lanyon and Hyde in this extract.
• Discuss how Stevenson presents the relationship between Lanyon and Jekyll/Hyde in the novel as a whole.

(Includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation.)

(Total for Question = 40 marks)

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The idea of the 'double' is a key theme in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This theme explores various forms of duality, with the most significant being the interplay of good and evil within human nature. Other forms of duality include the contrast between appearance and reality, as well as science versus the supernatural. This passage primarily delves into the duality of good and evil in Jekyll's character.

Jekyll's Statement is crucial as it reveals the complete story from his perspective for the first time. In this passage, Jekyll addresses one of the novella's main themes: 'those provinces of good and ill which divide and compound man's dual nature.' This secondary side of a person, often referred to as their 'alter ego,' is what Jekyll identifies as Hyde.

Jekyll explains that he has been aware of his dual nature for a long time and that living with this duality was challenging. He tried to maintain a single, unified persona while concealing his 'faults' out of shame, but this was a constant struggle. This introduces another form of duality: the contrast between appearance and reality. The public face Jekyll presents—a respectable doctor—does not reflect the full reality of who he is. Despite describing himself as a 'double-dealer'—a term usually associated with deceit—Jekyll acknowledges that both good and bad aspects are integral to his identity. He realises that these conflicting urges 'made me what I was,' but it is too late for him to reintegrate his fractured personality. He also observes that this division exists in everyone, though it is less apparent in most people.

Jekyll's scientific work leads him to a solution for his dual life by creating a potion that separates the 'bad' aspect and gives it an independent existence. However, this merely deepens the divide within his personality. He notes that his scientific pursuits 'led wholly toward the mystic and the transcendental,' marking the point where he and Lanyon's views diverge. The science/supernatural duality is represented through the contrasting characters of Jekyll and Lanyon. Lanyon views science as purely rational, dismissing anything else as 'balderdash'—a term that disparages Jekyll's perspective. Jekyll's use of terms like 'mystical' and 'transcendental' suggests that his interests are elevated and superior. This duality between scientific and mystical knowledge is another facet of 'the double' in the novella.

Jekyll explores the mystical through scientific means. At the time of writing Jekyll and Hyde, psychology was emerging as a field attempting to understand the mind or soul through scientific methods. By addressing this science/mystery duality, the novella would resonate with contemporary readers. The concept of a split between the 'good' spirit and the 'bad' body seeking physical pleasures is ancient. Jekyll argues that the awareness of the dual nature of 'good and ill' underpins all religions. Stevenson, who himself rejected Christianity and became an atheist, might be critiquing how religions exploit the natural duality of human nature, inducing guilt.

The final lines suggest there could be more than two aspects of human nature, though Jekyll only experimented with two. This implies that a person might have multiple alter egos. Jekyll's late realisation—that 'man is not truly one, but truly two'—comes too late to save him. His attempt to separate the evil within himself, embodied by Hyde, leads to his downfall. The separation proves unsustainable, and even though Jekyll tries to abandon Hyde and stop taking the potion, Hyde inevitably emerges because he is an inherent part of Jekyll.

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Lanyon's encounter with Hyde is crucial in the novella, revealing the key secret: that Hyde is actually Jekyll's alter ego. This scene is important for understanding the relationship between Lanyon and Jekyll/Hyde and clarifies their dynamic.

From the start, Lanyon is strongly repelled by Hyde. Hyde's anxious and aggressive behaviour only makes this reaction worse. The language used to describe Hyde—his 'ghastly' face and the sound of his teeth grating—shows Lanyon's intense dislike. Stevenson highlights Lanyon's scientific approach to his own reaction, showing how it contrasts with Jekyll/Hyde's approach.

When Hyde has his potion, he becomes confident. His long, articulate speech to Lanyon reveals his advantage over Lanyon, who doesn't know Hyde's true identity. Hyde's arrogance is clear as he suggests he is superior to Lanyon, accusing him of having 'derided [his] superiors'. This hints that Jekyll may have less favourable views of Lanyon than he has publicly admitted.

Hyde cleverly manipulates Lanyon into watching the transformation. He presents it as a choice between wisdom and bravery, tempting Lanyon with promises of 'new provinces of knowledge', 'fame and power', and a 'prodigy to stagger the unbelief of Satan'. The mention of Satan recalls the Faustian bargain, suggesting a dangerous deal similar to Faust's pact with the Devil. This might be a trap, as Hyde, representing Jekyll's darker side, could be leading Lanyon to his doom.

Lanyon responds with scepticism, sticking to his scientific detachment and refusing to show fear. He doesn't pick up on the clues in Hyde's speech, like the mention of their shared profession or Hyde's knowledge of Lanyon's scientific views.

Throughout the novella, Jekyll and Lanyon are shown as former friends with different approaches to science. Lanyon is practical and empirical, while Jekyll is more speculative, exploring 'transcendental' science and human nature, influenced by new psychological theories and Darwin's evolution. Lanyon dismisses Jekyll's interests as 'fanciful' and 'unscientific balderdash'. Despite their differences, both are driven by curiosity and a quest for knowledge.

Hyde's final speech, with its repetitive phrases and dramatic 'behold!', emphasises his sense of triumph. There's no warmth or gratitude, only a sense of victory as he forces Lanyon to accept the truth. Hyde's actions turn what started as a professional disagreement into a dangerous and destructive confrontation, showing the destructive power of their duality and leading to both Jekyll's and Lanyon's downfall.