Fred & Ghosts Quotes

Test yourself

Fred: Key Quotes

Here are 3 quotes highlighting aspects of Fred's character:

Happy and kind

“This nephew of Scrooge’s, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled”.
- Right from the start, Fred is shown to be so happy and kind that it seems to radiate from his skin – his goodness makes his skin and eyes glow.
- He directly contrasts Scrooge, who is dull and miserable. Fred loves life; Scrooge seems to hate it. Dickens uses Fred at the beginning to show what Scrooge could be like.

Constantly laughing

“Scrooge’s nephew laughed in this way: holding his sides”.
- This adds to the sense that Fred loves life. He laughs throughout the book, never seeming to take things too seriously or be offended at Scrooge’s behaviour.
- In his life, he also shows a sense of freedom; Scrooge seems to have locked away any sort of enjoyment in life – he does not laugh until he revisits the good times he had as a youth.

Example to the upper classes

“Let him in! It is a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off”.
- Fred shows what upper-class people should be like – whilst Scrooge has always been horribly rude and dismissive of him, he does not take this to heart.
- As soon as his uncle makes an effort, Fred forgives him and invites him into his home.

The Ghosts: Key Quotes

Here is a quote for each of the Ghosts:

Christmas Past

“From the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible”.
- The light coming from the top of its head could represent how the Ghost is about to shed metaphorical light on Scrooge’s past – it is about to highlight some of the reasons why he is miserable and alone, as well as some of the poor decisions he made as he got a bit older.
- This light makes Scrooge very uncomfortable, as he enjoys living in the dark, away from emotion.

Christmas Present

“Come in! and know me better, man!”
- In this line, the Ghost is encouraging Scrooge to come in and talk to him.
- Alternatively, the Ghost may be metaphorically encouraging Scrooge to use him to learn more about how to be a good, kind, generous man – to know him (the Ghost) is to know how to improve his own personality and, therefore, the wider society.

Christmas Yet to Come

“A solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him”.
- The adjective “solemn” suggests that this Ghost has some serious truths to reveal to Scrooge – it will show him the outcome of his life if he doesn't change.
- However, the fact that the Ghost seems to be floating “like a mist” could suggest that the future it reveals is not grounded yet, not set in stone.

Christmas Yet to Come

Scrooge still has a chance to change his horrible fate. In a strange way, this Ghost could represent hope to Scrooge – if he follows the guidance from the Ghosts, he can live a better life.

1Plot Summary

1.1Plot Summary

1.1.1Outline

1.1.2Introducing Scrooge & Marley

1.1.3Stave 1

1.1.4Stave 2

1.1.5Stave 3

1.1.6End of Topic Test - Staves 1-3

1.1.7Stave 4

1.1.8Stave 5

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Staves 4-5

1.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Belle

2Key Characters & Quotes

2.1Ebenezer Scrooge

2.1.1Outline & Stave 1

2.1.2Stave 2

2.1.3Stave 3

2.1.4Stave 4

2.1.5Stave 5 & Key Quotes

2.1.6End of Topic Test - Ebeneezer Scrooge

2.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Scrooge

2.2Other Characters

2.2.1Bob Cratchit

2.2.2Tiny Tim

2.2.3Fred

2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 1

2.2.5The Ghosts Pt 2

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters

2.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley

2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts

2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas

2.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits

2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters

2.3.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

2.3.2Grade 9 - Extract Analysis

3Key Ideas

3.1Key Ideas

3.1.1Inequality, Ignorance & Want

3.1.2Duality, Family & Love

3.1.3Christianity & Redemption

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Key Ideas

3.1.5Grade 9 - Key Themes

4Context

4.1Context

4.1.1Dickens & Victorian England

4.1.2Poverty & Victorian Christmas

4.1.3Exam-Style Questions - Poverty

4.1.4Gothic Fiction

4.1.5Gothic Fiction & Victorian England

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Context

4.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Dickens & Socialism

4.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Misanthropy

5Authorial Method

5.1Structure & Techniques

5.1.1Structure & Time

5.1.2Time Frame & Pace

5.1.3Narrative Voice & Tone

5.1.4Settings, Similes & Metaphors

5.1.5End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

6Recap: Main Quotes

6.1Recap: Main Quotes

6.1.1Scrooge Quotes

6.1.2Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes

6.1.3Fred & Ghosts Quotes

6.1.4Ignorance & Want Quotes

6.1.5Other Quotes

Jump to other topics