Student Exemplar: Freud, Nietzsche, Id & Binary Opposition in 'A Christmas Carol'

Summary

This video script explores the themes in 'A Christmas Carol' through a student's insightful notes. It delves into the dichotomy of poverty and wealth, using weather metaphors to symbolize societal struggles during Victorian England. The script also examines the transformation of Scrooge as a symbol of redemption, the use of supernatural elements to critique societal norms, and the contrast between light and dark to highlight social injustice. The analysis incorporates critical theories, offering a deep dive into Dickens' narrative techniques and their impact on the story's themes.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses key themes in 'A Christmas Carol', focusing on the contrast between poverty and wealth, redemption, the supernatural, and light and dark.
• 🌧️ The weather in the novella symbolizes the oppressive conditions of the working class and the government's neglect during Victorian England.
• 🏭 The metaphor of 'thickened' fog and darkness represents the intensifying desperation and the smothering effects of industrialization on society.
• 💰 The division between the rich and the poor is highlighted through the descriptions of winter and the ability of the wealthy to escape the harsh conditions.
• 🕯️ Scrooge's initial avarice is suggested to be a facade, with descriptions like 'hard and sharp as flint' foreshadowing his potential for transformation.
• 🔄 The transformation of Scrooge from a miserly character to a benevolent one signifies the possibility of redemption and societal change.
• 👻 The use of ghosts in the story is a critique of society's belief in the supernatural and a tool for personal and societal transformation.
• 🌑 The stark contrast between light and dark in the novella underscores the division between the wealthy and the impoverished, and the fear of poverty among the rich.
• 🌟 The Cratchit family represents warmth and unity in the face of poverty, with 'glowed' highlighting their love and compassion despite their circumstances.
• 🕊️ Scrooge's transformation is symbolized by the shift from the solidity of 'flint' to the lightness of a 'feather', indicating his shedding of past bitterness.
• 🎨 The script incorporates critical theories and literary analysis, suggesting that students can enrich their writing by applying such concepts to their essays.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the video script related to 'A Christmas Carol'?

The main theme discussed in the video script is the contrast between poverty and wealth in 'A Christmas Carol', with a focus on how Charles Dickens uses various metaphors and themes to explore this contrast.

How does the weather in 'A Christmas Carol' symbolize the conditions of the poor?

The weather in 'A Christmas Carol', characterized by constant grey skies and thickening fog, symbolizes the harsh and oppressive conditions of the factories and the suffering of the poor, reflecting the societal neglect and the government's inaction during the Victorian era.

What does the lack of color in the description of the winter represent according to the video script?

The lack of color in the description of the winter represents the repression and the absence of emotion that people felt during the Victorian era, highlighting the societal division between the wealthy and the poor.

How does the script relate Scrooge's attitude towards darkness to his character?

Scrooge's attitude towards darkness, viewing it as cheap, reflects his avarice and fear of poverty. It also shows his ignorance of the struggles of the poor and his lack of empathy towards them.

What is the significance of the Sun not being described in 'A Christmas Carol' as per the video script?

The absence of the Sun in 'A Christmas Carol' signifies a lack of hope and growth in Victorian society, indicating the corruption and imbalance within the human psyche, as analyzed from a psychodynamic perspective.

How does the script discuss the theme of redemption in 'A Christmas Carol'?

The script discusses the theme of redemption by highlighting the transformation of Scrooge from a miserly character to one who embraces change and helps to resolve social injustice, symbolizing the potential for change in Victorian society.

What does the simile 'hard and sharp as flint' suggest about Scrooge's character at the beginning of the novella?

The simile 'hard and sharp as flint' suggests that Scrooge is unyielding and resistant to change, but it also foreshadows his potential for transformation, as flint can ignite a powerful fire when struck.

How does the script interpret the use of the supernatural in 'A Christmas Carol'?

The script interprets the use of the supernatural in 'A Christmas Carol' as a tool to critique society and to demonstrate the ease with which individuals and society can change, challenging the beliefs and attitudes of the time.

What is the connection between Scrooge's initial disbelief in the supernatural and his later transformation?

Scrooge's initial disbelief in the supernatural reflects his ignorance and self-centeredness. His later transformation, after being confronted by the ghosts, signifies his acceptance of the supernatural and his change in values and attitudes.

How does the script analyze the use of light and darkness in 'A Christmas Carol'?

The script analyzes the use of light and darkness as a binary pair to highlight the division between the wealthy and the poor, and to symbolize hope, freedom, and the potential for change in society.

What critical approaches does the video script mention in relation to the analysis of 'A Christmas Carol'?

The video script mentions the use of Freudian analysis, binary opposites, and Nietzschean perspectives to critically approach the themes and characters in 'A Christmas Carol'.

Outlines

00:00

🎄 'A Christmas Carol': Poverty vs Wealth and Redemption

This paragraph explores the themes of poverty versus wealth and redemption in 'A Christmas Carol'. It discusses how Dickens uses weather as an extended metaphor to symbolize the oppressive conditions of the working class and the government's neglect. The narrative contrasts the bleakness of the poor's situation with the ignorance of the wealthy, like Scrooge, who initially disregards the suffering around him. The transformation of Scrooge throughout the story signifies a powerful message of personal change and social responsibility, suggesting that even the most avaricious individuals can contribute to societal betterment.

05:01

👻 Supernatural Influences and Scrooge's Transformation

The second paragraph delves into the theme of the supernatural in 'A Christmas Carol', contrasting it with traditional Christmas cheer. Ghosts are presented as a critical tool for societal reflection rather than symbols of joy. Scrooge's initial skepticism and eventual interaction with the supernatural elements, particularly Marley's ghost, highlight the potential for change within any individual, regardless of their social standing. The paragraph also touches on critical theories and binary opposites, suggesting that the inclusion of such analyses can enrich students' understanding and interpretation of the text.

10:02

🌓 Light and Darkness: Symbolism of Social Injustice

The final paragraph examines the use of light and darkness as symbols for social injustice and the potential for hope. It discusses how Dickens contrasts the literal and metaphorical darkness surrounding Scrooge with the warmth and light found in the Cratchit family's home, emphasizing the joy found in community and compassion rather than wealth. The transformation of Scrooge is again highlighted, showing how his initial embrace of darkness due to its cheapness gives way to a newfound glow of goodwill and generosity, symbolizing a societal shift towards a more benevolent and connected community.

Keywords

💡Poverty versus Wealth

This concept is central to the video's discussion of 'A Christmas Carol,' highlighting the stark contrast between the rich and the poor in Victorian society. The video uses the metaphor of weather to symbolize poverty, with the 'constant blaze of grey' and 'fog and darkness' representing the oppressive conditions of the working class. This theme is further illustrated by the discussion of the Poor Law, which forced the destitute into factories, and the division between those who could escape the cold and those who had to endure it.

💡Redemption

Redemption is a key theme in the video, focusing on the character transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. The video discusses how Scrooge's journey from a miserly, cold-hearted individual to a benevolent and caring person represents the potential for change within society. The redemption is symbolized by the change in descriptions of Scrooge, from 'hard and sharp as flint' to 'light as a feather,' indicating his moral awakening and the impact it could have on social injustice.

💡Supernatural

The video explores the theme of the supernatural in 'A Christmas Carol,' which is unusual for a Christmas story but serves to critique societal norms. Ghosts are used as a narrative device to challenge Scrooge's beliefs and attitudes, reflecting the Victorian belief in the supernatural. The ghosts' appearances are not only a plot device but also a commentary on the ease with which people can change and the societal divisions that can be overcome.

💡Flint

In the video, 'flint' is used as a simile to describe Scrooge's initial character. Flint is hard and unyielding, much like Scrooge's heart at the beginning of the story. However, the video also notes that flint is a material that, while seemingly powerless alone, can start a fire when struck with steel, suggesting Scrooge's potential for transformation and the spark of change within him.

💡Feather

The simile 'light as a feather' is used to contrast Scrooge's character at the end of his journey with his initial portrayal. A feather is light, delicate, and often associated with freedom or release, symbolizing Scrooge's newfound generosity and kindness. It also suggests the shedding of his previous, harsher self, as he undergoes redemption.

💡Psychodynamic Perspective

The video introduces a psychodynamic perspective, invoking Sigmund Freud's theories to analyze the societal implications of the lack of 'sun' or hope in Dickens' descriptions. This perspective suggests that the imbalance in the components of the human psyche, as represented by the absence of sunlight, could be an explanation for the pervasive poverty and societal corruption of the time.

💡Binary Opposites

The concept of binary opposites is discussed in relation to the themes of light and dark, wealth and poverty, and life and the supernatural. These contrasts are used to highlight the divisions within Victorian society and the potential for reconciliation and change. The video uses these binaries to underscore the transformative journey of Scrooge and the societal critique present in the novella.

💡Freudian Analysis

The video briefly mentions a Freudian analysis, which involves examining the subconscious mind and its impact on behavior. This approach is used to interpret the societal implications of the oppressive weather and the lack of sunlight in 'A Christmas Carol,' suggesting a deep-seated societal corruption and a need for psychological transformation.

💡Cosmic Imagery

Cosmic imagery, such as the moon and stars, is used in the video to discuss the contrast between the past and present societal attitudes. The 'pearlescent' moonlight at Fezziwig's party represents a time of joy and communal celebration, in contrast to the darkness that surrounds Scrooge, symbolizing his isolation and the broader societal fear of poverty.

💡Glowed

The verb 'glowed' is used to describe the warmth and light within the Cratchit family's home, despite their poverty. This word choice emphasizes the love and compassion that exists within the family, in stark contrast to Scrooge's initial cold and dark existence. The glow represents the potential for hope and happiness even in the face of adversity.

Highlights

The theme of poverty versus wealth in 'A Christmas Carol' is explored through the metaphor of the weather, symbolizing the oppressive working conditions and the government's neglect.

The use of the word 'thickened' implies an intensification of societal issues, reflecting the increasing desperation among the poor during Victorian times.

The lack of color in the novella represents the repression and emotional void experienced by the characters, highlighting the societal divide between the rich and the poor.

Scrooge's attitude towards darkness as being 'cheap' reveals his avarice and fear of poverty, contrasting with the experiences of the Cratchit family who find joy in the absence of warmth.

The absence of the Sun in Dickens' descriptions suggests a lack of hope and growth in Victorian society, indicating a disturbed sense of corruption.

The transformation of Scrooge from a hard and sharp 'flint' to a 'light as a feather' signifies his redemption and the potential for change in society.

The simile of 'light as a feather' contrasts with the solidity of 'flint', symbolizing Scrooge's shedding of his former self and embracing a new moral identity.

The theme of redemption is portrayed through Scrooge's change, emphasizing that even the wealthy can reform and positively impact society.

The supernatural elements in 'A Christmas Carol' serve as a critique of society's insensitivity and the potential for redemption among all classes.

Scrooge's initial disbelief in ghosts reflects the societal skepticism towards the supernatural, yet his encounter with Marley's ghost challenges this disbelief.

The binary pair of life and the supernatural in the novella is exposed through Scrooge's transformation and his eventual acceptance of his mortality.

The use of light and darkness in the novella highlights the corruption within society and the division between the wealthy and the poor.

Scrooge's preference for darkness due to its cheapness conveys his fear of poverty and the societal trend of hoarding wealth.

The Cratchit family's unity and love in the face of poverty is symbolized by the 'glowing' light that surrounds them, contrasting with Scrooge's darkness.

The transformation of Scrooge is further emphasized by his 'glowing' with good intentions, showing his redemption and the power of change.

Eleanor's analysis incorporates critical theories and binary opposites, providing a deeper understanding of the novella's themes and characters.

Transcripts

hello everybody welcome to this video

another in the students exemplars series

something a little bit different today

not full exam answers but some really

interesting notes and ideas on key

themes in A Christmas Carol written by

Eleanor let's have a look to begin with

the theme of poverty versus wealth

throughout the novella Dickens makes

underlying references to the destructive

and corrupt theme of poverty through the

extended metaphor of the weather the

constant blaze of grey in the sky the

fact that the fog and darkness thickened

could symbolize the invasion of

factories and the brutality of the

working conditions the verb thickened

has connotations as something getting

more intense and more obscure the smoke

from work houses was suffocating society

as a result of the Poor Law introduced

stating that those in destitution needed

to go and work at a factory in

horrendously poor conditions in order to

fix their financial instability

thickened demonstrates an increase

metaphorically implying to the reader

that the numbers of desperation were

rising yet the government did nothing to

intervene during the period of ignorance

and negligence in Victorian England the

weather influences the extent of our

optimism conveying the dismal attitudes

within society the lack of color

represents the repression and lack of

emotion people felt

additionally the Nevada etc in the

winter which symbolically represents the

division between the wealthy and the

poor those who were financially stable

didn't need to stay in the congenial

frost they could return home and was

sheltered from their ignorance

alternatively those in the dangerous

depth of poverty had no choice but to

embrace the bitterness of the cold which

is further explored through the semantic

field of darkness and night despite

Scrooge's opinion that darkness is cheap

with the African adjectives cheap

implying that this type of dull heavy

lifestyle is more affordable making to

Scrooge his attitude of avarice and his

fears for poverty for many of the

wealthy like Scrooge this was not a

necessity by any means families like the

crotchets had no choice but to enjoy the

Tallis nests of not only the nighttime

but the lack of warmth it brought -

along with darkness

and comes some form of light but the

fact that the Bleak descriptions of the

weather are not followed by a

description of the Sun would emphasize

from the perspective of Sigmund Freud

that England during the Victorian times

was saturated in the consequences from

the heed of the government and the

wealthy the Sun represents hope and a

growth for something better

symbolizing the super-ego of the

government but the fact that the Sun

doesn't seem to exist in Dickens his

description indicates to the reader that

there was a strong disturbed sense of

corruption within society therefore from

a psychodynamic perspective the

components of the human psyche being

imbalanced not only create a sense of

disorientation but could also arguably

be the explanation for the poverty in

society negligence and avarice speed

from the government and the wealthy well

isn't that an amazing couple of

paragraphs on the theme of poverty

versus wealth let's have a look at the

theme of redemption between stave 1 & 5

there's an apparent reversal not only

within Scrooge and the descriptions

Dickens gives but also within scrooge's

surroundings a remarkable sense of

redemption this conveys to the reader

that Scrooge is in fact a powerful

influential protagonist perhaps

representing Dickens's idea that even

the impudence of the wealthy can change

having noticeable impact and in fact

diminishing the social injustice within

Victorian England firstly there's a

direct contrast between the descriptions

of Scrooge at the very beginning of the

novella to the very end

yet still conveying something permanent

within Scrooge hope while he is

described as being hard and sharp as

Flint the simile in the state now Flint

has connotations as something powerful

and perhaps revolutionary often as it is

used to induce fires subtly hinting to

the reader that the explosion of

reformation within Scrooge is yet to

come

Flint is also a material which is

underestimated alone it has no power but

with the help of other materials it can

have overwhelming force and this could

from a Nietzschean perspective be

highlighting the spiritual journey

Scrooge is yet to encompass to discover

his in urban ever

God is not currently guiding him but

through the cumulative appearance of the

ghosts he's connecting with morality and

nihilism is becoming a part of his later

character it's not an amazing analysis

of the idea or the word Flint this idea

that actually even though it describes

Scrooge at the beginning of the text as

such a negative character it does

actually foreshadow and hint at the

Reformation which is to come what a

fantastic analysis this is further

explored at the end of the novella with

the simile light is a feather

contrastingly that now feather has

completely different connotations to the

solidity of Flint a feather is something

with no real use symbolically showing

the reader how the Flint has been

activated as Scrooge is a new person

alternatively a feather comes from a

bird either as a result of destruction

or because it is no longer needed and

this could suggest that Scrooge's former

unmoral self has either been destroyed

while Nietzsche would argue that this is

Scrooge's reincarnation it could also

indicate Scrooge has grown as shed his

callous bitter inconsiderate skin he's

grown and left the part of himself he's

ashamed of behind the redemption in

Scrooge is the most iconic part of the

novella as Dickens uses this to amplify

the ease of change within society even

if you were hostile and misanthropic

there is every ability to change and

resolve the injustice within society

emphasizing how Victorian England had

potential to reform absolutely fantastic

I don't really need to say a lot about

this do I it is just absolutely amazing

theme with the supernatural Dickens is a

Christmas carol is rather unusual

compared to most Christmas stories due

to the noticeable emphasis upon ghosts

around the novella ghosts are the theme

of the supernatural and not necessarily

positive and jubilant which would match

our idea of Christmas however through

their peculiar appearance they express

Dickens's idea of the ease of having a

perfect memorable Christmas the fact

that ghosts are introduced to the reader

from the very first stage of the novella

made the precipitating incident not only

uncommon but an implicit criticism

society this is due to the fact that the

vast majority of Victorian England were

deep in belief at the supernatural which

highlights to the reader the

insensitivity of the wealthy represented

by Scrooge this occurs through the

concentration on avarice and hostility

towards those in poverty while they grow

more ignorant of real life a yet so

easily manipulated through the

spirituality of ghosts something to be

questioned of its realism this conveys

Dickinson's idea that anybody can change

and that the division between classes in

society was not as bitter and as strong

as people may have presumed however

while screwed represents the wealthy and

lacks belief in religion and Christian

values he's portrayed to the reader as

having the typical attribute her society

towards the supernatural he speaks of

putting a stake of Holly through his

heart the noun stake was a supernatural

weapon used to protect oneself against

vampires the fact that Scrooge uses this

term in anger reflects his instinct to

quote the supernatural in his speech

there was a part of life and in his

nature to do so however when faced

directly with the presence of Marley's

ghost Scrooge belittles and disbelieves

will he is seen stating that there is

more gravy than there is grave in the

ghost for the perspective of jacque's

the reader Scrooge and the supernatural

could be seen as binary pair while

Scrooge mocks his exposure to a ghost in

stave one later in stay for he

communicates to the reader his

unexpected relevance to the spirit as

his name is revealed to be on a

gravestone in the possible future thus

the binary pair of life and the

supernatural is exposed

Scrooge from what Marley's ghost stated

will die to become a ghost faced by more

restriction and more suffering as a

consequence of his present good

therefore Dickens amplifies to the

reader the ease of redemption within any

member of society through the unusually

powerful use of the specters and theme

of the supernatural in the novel now

what we can see in these paragraphs on

Eleanor is of course the bringing in of

concepts and theories critical

approaches to literature and the idea of

binary opposites the idea of a Freudian

analysis etc etc

that's not something you have to do at

GCSE but I've seen that a number of

students are looking at bringing in this

kind of analysis to their writing this

is a great example of how you can do it

so I don't want you to panic and watch

this video and think oh do we need to

learn all of those you know different

approaches in some sense you don't need

to because it is very much above or

beyond the scope of GCSE but of course

if you can bring some in then absolutely

do so and if you look at the student

exemplars series I know the full marks

exam series that the first video an

answer on Frankenstein it's similar the

student did something similar and got

full marks so it's not something you

have to do I don't want you to panic but

if you know some of these ideas and you

can bring them into your writing and

it's relevant to the question and the

theme then go ahead let's have a look at

the final one the theme of light and

dark

Dickens highlights the corruption within

society and how the division between

poverty and the wealthy had sharpened

through the harsh contrast between the

binary pair of light and darkness in

state one

Dickens portrays the brutality of the

social injustice through the avarice of

the wealthy because darkness is cheap

and Scrooge liked it the Bleak now

darkness literally conveys to the reader

the general sense of society even the

rich who could afford the luxury of

light were afraid of poverty and so

locked their wealth away from everybody

including themselves

Scrooge having the wealth which he

believed was the source of his happiness

now is surrounded by metaphorical and

literal darkness however for the

perspective of Jacques Derrida saved two

screwed experiences the sense of hope

and freedom of the past during the

revisit to fezziwig's party as the hosts

shown in every part of the dance like

moons the verb sean has connotations in

something pearlescent an exquisite

emphasizing Dickens his idea that

Victorian England had changed from a

benevolent jubilant society to a fearful

country surrounded by darkness and

loneliness in a matter of time

alternatively the cosmic imagery of the

moon and the brightness could also

reflect life in the past for the less

wealthy aims were not set around the

prospect of money and so people were

happy and enjoyed them

embracing the presence of others this

may have been what gave them hope and

provoked the munificent attributes to

society the lightness surrounding the

poor is further explored through

Dickens's creation of the Cratchit

family during stave three mrs. Cratchit

Peter and the rest of the family

prepared their dinner as a team

displaying the lack of interest towards

losing money but rather gaining precious

memories and the repetition of the

incandescent verb glowed it illuminates

their love and compassion light and

brightness surrounds them voluntarily

while Scrooge lives in darkness because

it is cheap which is further explored by

the cosmic imagery associated with

familial amiable characters the use of

light represents goodwill and during

stay five when Scrooge has transformed

he too was glowing with good intentions

absolutely fantastic clothes word

analysis of the work glowed and then of

course contrasting that to the

difference that we see in the darkness

used to present the character of Scrooge

fantastic work from Alan oh thank you

for sending it in