A Christmas Carol

 

First sentence in the text is about death – introduces a negative atmosphere and the theme of death. A negative beginning.

In the first page there are many words in the lexical field of death.

There are multiple references to death.

Repetition of Marley was dead. Dead as a doornail – simile.

Repetition of dead occurs often in the first page, even including the superlative “deadest”. This highlights the presence of death and further the morbid atmosphere.

Dickens is highlighting the current awful situation Scrooge is in, also is he suggesting that the Victorian era is morbid and depressing.

The word choice of “unhallowed” suggests sinful but also links to the theme of religion.

Repetition of sole, sole = only. Introduces the theme of loneliness.

In the first page alone the word dead is included 6 times.

Furthermore the word “sole” is repeated five times furthering the theme of loneliness.

The fact Scrooge does not spend the money to paint over Marley’s name and allows himself to be referred to as Scrooge highlights is his lack of emotion, he is emotionally “as dead as a doornail”.  He is reactionless when confronted with his partner’s name, and at the same time his death.

Scrooge at beginning: “squeezing, wrenching…old sinner”. List of terrible attributes and he is called a sinner showing..

All of the verbs in the list are negative but also uncomfortable highlighting Scrooge’s discomfort both in himself and in society at large.

(This is a book about human fallibility)

“solitary as an oyster”

Just as an oyster is hard in appearance, fragile internally, lives alone but over a period of time make pearls so Scrooge is incredibly different internally and externally, and over time he has the capability to give precious resources to society. The metaphor highlights the striking difference in Scrooge’s interior and exterior but also his capabilities.

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At the beginning of the text Scrooge is described in a grotesque manner “eyes red…”, he is also described repulsively.  At the start of the text Scrooge is a symbol of capitalism.

Scrooge is associated with the cold, this has literal and metaphorical meanings.

“External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge” this links/ reinforces “solitary as an oyster”. Scrooge is separate from society and Dickens highlights his lack of connection to those around him. Perhaps Dickens is implying that the Victorian era was self centred.

Repetition of “no” highlighting Scrooge’s negativity.

The fact that “no beggars implored him to bestow a trifle”  - this shows that even those who are desperate cannot or do not want to involve themselves with Scrooge, he is abhorred.

Scrooge lives totally apart from others ad all walks of life, even innocent children. He is also linked with evil.

“To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance” firstly perhaps Dicken is making a larger comment about Victorian society.  Is it a comment about the gulf between the haves and have nots. It also makes the empathetic reader wonder why he does this.

The word choice of “edge”..

The first stave is full of pathetic fallacy e.g. “cold, bleak, biting weather”.

“Once upon a time…phantoms..fog pouring in” all references to the supernatural and create an eerie atmosphere and suspense.

“dismal little cell” this is where Bob Cratchit works – The word choice of cell connotes prison suggesting his life is like a prison when at work with Scrooge and he has little liberty.

The fires, and the huge difference in size, symbolise the difference in society between those with money and those without. Interestingly though Scrooge does not give himself a large fire, this highlights that he is not lavish and luxurious but unhappy and not only treats others badly but does not treat himself well – he does not even enjoy his own money.

Bob Cratchit wear a “white comforter”. White is associated with purity, innocence, goodness thus suggesting Bob Cratchit is all of these.

There is a strong juxtaposition (contrast) between the description of Scrooge and his nephew.

In his conversation with his nephew Scrooge shows he believes happiness comes from money. Dickens however shows, through Scrooge’s miserable description and state, that this is not the case.

Scrooge at the start: “every idiot…should be boiled with his own pudding” compare this to Scrooge once redeemed.

Scrooge’s behaviour during Christmastime shows how hardened he has become and bitter.

“think of people below them as fellow passengers to the grave”. The views of Scrooge’s nephew are representative of Dickens and contrast greatly with Scrooge at the start.

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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 of 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 19^th century Victorian England?

3 spirits link to the holy trinity

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Stave 2

“ferret eyes” Just as ferrets’ eyes are beady, unnatural, small and shrewd so Scrooge is beady, unkind and unnatural.

First ghost

“like a child…like an old man” – juxtaposition.

The descriptions of the 3 ghosts become more and more grotesque. What is this saying about society?

The first ghost is very much in white, The colour white is associated with purity, innocence, goodness and perhaps is a nod to these positive qualities present in the young Scrooge. Furthermore Dickens describes his clothing as “purest white” The word choice of pure…furthermore the use of the superlative highlights…

Also the choice of tunic, a religious robe links the ghost of Christmas past with goodness and holiness.

There is slight juxtaposition present in the description of the ghost perhaps hinting at the precarious nature of human life and our frailty to sin, furthered by Victorian society and capitalism.

“you are one of those whose passions made this cap.”  - Scrooge is referred to as a cap blocking the “beam of light”. HUGE METAPHORICAL MEANINGS.

The beam of light represents possibility and opportunity however the cap shows the blocking of this, Scrooge made “forged” this cap.

reclamation

rɛkləˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

noun: reclamation; plural noun: reclamations

1.    the process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right.

"the reclamation of our shared history"

o    the cultivation of waste land or land formerly under water.

“I am mortal…and liable to fall” – this statement has religious implications. Dickens clearly feels that Victorian society has ‘fallen’.

Dickens frequently uses pathetic fallacy to highlight the feelings/ significance of a part.

Scrooge’s childhood is the antithesis of his present surroundings.

When he travels to his past, Scrooge is flooded with emotions and then questions this.

“a solitary child” = Scrooge, links with “solitary as an oyster”. The repetitions of “solitary”…

Furthermore Dickens is highlighting what happens when society ignores people.

“poor forgotten self”

Ali baba has “foreign garments” and a foreign name, perhaps suggesting that his kindness, warmth and love is foreign.

Scrooge says “it’s too late” but this book does not have a cyclical structure highlighting redemption is possible.

2father is so much kinder than he used to be” this ambiguity suggests a difficult, abusive childhood with his father. There was clearly a difficult relationship between father and son.

Scrooge’s schoolmaster IS ALSO HORRIBLE: WORD CHOICES OF “FEROCIOUS/ GLARED AND TERRIBLE” all sharing a lexical field of aggression etc.

Notice how Dickens portrays the city: “coaches battled for the way”.

There is a total juxtaposition between Fezziwig and Scrooge’s business.

Scrooge was under the tutelage of Fezziwig. Hi experiences with Fezziwig etc. are the ‘grains of sand’ which help Scrooge produce the ‘pearl’ at the end of the book.

The light from Fezziwig’s calves is similar to the beam of light on the head of the Ghost of Christmas Past, showing the goodness in both.

Compare how Fezziwig treats his workers to how Scrooge treat Bob Cratchit.

“the bright faces of his former self” – Scrooge was good and happy. What happened?

“A small matter…to make these folks so full of gratitude” -  Dickens here is also commenting and hinting that in society small acts of kindness go a long way.

 

Contrast “light/ heavy” etc showing the incredible differences that human interactions can have and make.

“I should like to ba able to say a word or two to my clerk just now” – Scrooge realises he needs to change and also realises how he has been abusing his power (consider for AO3 Poor Law Amendment Act)

“eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye” Scrooge in the prime of his life. All share the connotations of wanting more, of being unhappy with one’s lot.

“another idol has displaced me” – Scrooge’s former love says this but it is also the language of the ten commandments  - therefore highlighting Scrooge’s lack of religion and love. He has given these up for money.

“the master passion Gain , engrosses you” Personified Gain but making it a proper noun.

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“no more cried Scrooge” the word choice of cried shows he is clearly affected.

Scrooge thought about his love’s daughter and thought of how she might have “been a spring time in the haggard winter of his life”.

Haggard =

1.    looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.

This metaphor and juxtaposition keenly shows Scrooge’s situation, but also what a daughter would have meant to him.

Repetition of alone.

“broken voice” track his voice , how does Scrooge speak at the start of the text. Compare this to “growl”

CONSIDER THE LESSONS / POINTS RAISED BY THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS

Ghost of Christmas Present – juxtaposition between excessive clothing and “bareness”.

 

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The overwhelming idea in the appearance of the ghost of Christmas Past of “white” – thus suggesting purity and innocence. The beam of light is significant as is the cap “Scrooge forged”.

Scrooge had hope and possibility, but left this, and Belle, to accumulate more money.

Compare the hems of the garments: fresh flowers and white fur.

Repetition of “bare”

Holly wreath with icicles. Holly wreath is suggestive of the crucifixion. (Is Scrooge crucifying himself with his present?).  Icicles is suggestive of extreme coldness and of being hardened.

Just like the “ample folds” of the ghost of Christmas present, Scrooge has “ample” material in terms of finances, however he is “bare” underneath. There is a juxtaposition in the clothing and the lack of anything else of the Spirit just as there is a juxtaposition between the financial wealth of Scrooge and the emotional and moral poverty he is in. He is vulnerable and ‘naked’. The spirit wear battle materials but that are empty.

“more than eighteen hundred…tremendous family to provide for”.  Scrooge’s response to the Phantom’s family number shows how he views humans – they are things that take resources, and so it shows he views people negatively and as taking away from his material wealth.

Scrooge is “submissive” to the second ghost showing his journey to redemption has begun. It began when he realised he wished to have another opportunity to speak to his clerk.

In the present day the weather is “severe” – this use of pathetic fallacy highlights Dicken’s view of the “severe” Victorian society. Compare this weather to that when they travelled back (“the darkness had vanished, clear cold winter day”)

Page 62 – revolting description of Victorian atmosphere. “sooty” “choking” etc

“Spanish onions, shining in the fatness of their growth like Spanish friars”.

Repetition of Spanish – in Victorian era Spanish food would be hugely expensive and costly to import, the repetition highlights the foreign nature of the onions. Highlighting the excessive grotesqueness of those who lived a life of luxury and opulence.