Scrooge

• How is Scrooge presented in Stave 1?

  He is an archetypal villain who is seen as evil and self centred in the context of an impoverished society. Dickens aims to critique, from an offset, that social injustice is synonymous with the avariciousness from the upper classes
• “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”


  Highlights his frugality. The use of 7 negative adjectives mirror the 7 deadly sins (cardinal sins) which are seen as the root of all evil in the bible.
• “squeezing“ and “wrenching”


  Connote a struggle, reinforcing how Scrooge struggles to assimilate into society. Alternatively, this is a criticism that Scrooge does not endure any struggles, yet creates struggle for the poor
• “the cold within him froze his old features”


  The use of weather is exacerbated, reinforcing how Scrooge’s internal apathy and detachment is so omnipotent that it alters his physical appearance
• What does the extended metaphor of bitter weather show?


  Contextually, the fog in London from 1873-1879 killed hundreds of people. Dickens may be alluding to how, just as the weather has the ability to destroy lives, the rich possess the same power
• ”Are there no prisons… And the union workhouse?”


  Scrooge’s reaction to the charity men serves as a microcosm for the upper class. He questions why he is morally obliged to give, giving the Victorian reader an insight to the reason they lived in a destitute society.
• “surplus population”


  Scrooge is unable to see the poor with any humanity, instead he sees them through his Malthusian views
• “bright clear jet of light”


  Creates an iridescent image, suggestive of how the ghost is trying to brighten Scrooge’s life through revelation and reminiscence
• “still very foggy and extremely cold”


  Pathetic fallacy foreshadows how Scrooge will remain oblivious and ignorant as the “fog” prevents clear vision. He prevents himself from embarking on a pathway to redemption. “Fog” can also represent institutionalised oppression
• “I was bred in this place, I was a boy here”


  Stave 2 is the first insight we get to his compassion and benevolence. The exclamative sentence provides an insight to his raw emotions- his unexpected immersion into the past means Scrooge is not consciously repressing his emotions, he is momentarily liberated
• “bred”


  Holds animalistic connotations possibly showing the animalistic and barbaric treatment Scrooge suffered as a child, reflective of Dicken’s own childhood and highlighting why Scrooge turned out the way he did
• “tell me” and ”cried”


  Highlight his catharsis as he is so overcome with guilt due to his blatant disregard and ignorance to the plight of the destitute
• “spirit tell me if tiny tim will live”


  imperatives show true emotion- he is desperate to know, Scrooge has gone from parsimonious to remorseful- shown in his compassion towards the Cratchits who are a symbol of the lower classes
• “i am as light as a feather”


  associated with birds which fly- creates a feeling of freedom and emphasises Scrooge’s positive spirit, he has broken out of his locked up and excluded from society behaviour. Dickens shows that everyone has the potential to change- even the vilest of individuals