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Bob Cratchit’s workplace is referred to as a “tank”. This metaphor highlights that just as a tank is…(oppressive)  so his workplace is…

At the start of the text we are not told of Bob Crathcit’s name, he is reffered to as “the clerk” etc. This dehumanises Bob, possibly highlighting the many (poor people) who were dehumanised in society and not cared for.

The word choice of “growled” highlights Scrooge’ animalistic nature as animals growl. Furthermore animals growl when they are scared or feeling threatened, as the topic of the conversation is love, this highlights that Scrooge is afraid and feels threatened by love.

“it is a time [Christmas] when want is keenly felt, and abundance rejoices” this highlights the extremities in society.

 

Scrooge talks of “decreasing the surplus population” this is business speak highlighting Scrooge’s capitalist concerns and mindset. He is utterly lacking in empathy or sympathy.

bell from the church “peeping down on Scrooge”. This highlights that God is always watching, and Scrooge cannot escape his fate, his actions are always being monitored.

The pathetic fallacy constantly present heightens tension.

The word choice of “ragged” suggest being in a state…

Dickens i constantly reminding us of the terrible conditions of the poor.

The pitiful description of the “owner of one scant nose…gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold” highlights Dickins desire to make the reader aware of the terrible conditions and hardships faced by so many and their heartbreaking conditions.

Dickens goes to great lengths to highlight the difference in outer wear between Scrooge and Bob Craitchit – Bob does not even have a coat (yet wears his “white comforter”).

Once again Scrooge “growled”. This reinforces his animalistic nature.

When describing Scrooge eating Dickens repeats the word choice of melancholy.

1.    a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

The word choice of melancholy has suggestions of a heavy sadness, of being in a state of confusion, lacking clarity. Furthermore the repetition of the word highlights Scrooge’s sorry state.

Contrasting this with Bob Cratchitt’s actions on leaving work without a coat, they are far from melancholy. Happiness is not linked to money.

Even the location of Scrooge’s home is lonely and “gloomy”. His home means he is physically surrounded by business and capitalism.

At the beginning of the text Scrooge is so cut off from humanity and cold that he is able to live in the Marley’s old home and still not have thought about him in 7 years. This clearly shows Scrooge places no value or currency in human relationships.

At the beginning Dickens refers to Scrooge and Marley as crustacians. Just as crustacians are…

“darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it” – literal and methaporical meaning. It is easier to be unkind and selfish than it is to be caring.

P 17 repetition of “nobody” highlighting his utter aloneness.

The description of a boweless Marley is grotesque thus highlighting his grotesque character, the reader is disgusted and appalled. Also it links to the idea of being inhuman.

The description f Marley is pitiful but a clear warning showing us Scrooge’s fate. “shook its chain with such a dismal and appalling sound”. The word choice of “it” dehumanises Marley and suggests he is a thing, an object.

IF SCROOGE DOESN’T CHANGE HE WILL BE THIS ALSO

The constant reference to “chains2 when Marley is present suggest imprisonment, slavery..

“I wear the chain I forged in life” – what chains does Dickens feel are being forged in 19th century Victorian England?

3 spirits link to the holy trinity

 

 

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