6.1.3
Fred & Ghosts Quotes
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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.
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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
2Key Characters & Quotes
2.1Ebenezer Scrooge
2.2Other Characters
2.2.1Bob Cratchit2.2.2Tiny Tim2.2.3Fred2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 12.2.5The Ghosts Pt 22.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters2.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas2.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits
2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters
3Key Ideas
4Context
5Authorial Method
6Recap: Main Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Key Characters & Quotes
2.1Ebenezer Scrooge
2.2Other Characters
2.2.1Bob Cratchit2.2.2Tiny Tim2.2.3Fred2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 12.2.5The Ghosts Pt 22.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters2.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas2.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits
2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters
3Key Ideas
4Context
5Authorial Method
6Recap: Main Quotes
Practice questions on Fred & Ghosts Quotes
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 14 quotes highlighting aspects of Fred's character:Fill in the list
- 2How does Dickens describe Fred's way of laughing?Multiple choice
- 3Key quotes about the ghosts:Fill in the list
- 4
- 5
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