scrooge

• Ebeneezer Scrooge


  Character used by Dickens to criticise the divide between those who have money, and those who do not
• We follow the change in the character of Scrooge


  We learn as a reader that we can change too
• Repetition of 'sole'


  • Emphasises the solitary nature of the lives led by Scrooge and Marley
• Scrooge is described with the simile 'Hard and sharp as flint'
• 'Hard'


  Suggests Scrooge lacks warmth, empathy and compassion
• 'Sharp'


  Suggests pain, implying Scrooge has no mercy towards others
• Scrooge is described with the simile 'solitary as an oyster'
• Simile 'solitary as an oyster'


  Emphasises how Scrooge has chosen to isolate himself, but also suggests there may be more to be discovered within him
• Dickens uses humour in relation to Scrooge's character
• Scrooge tells Marley's ghost

  • "You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"
• Dickens's use of word play with 'grave' and 'gravy'


  Makes Scrooge's character less two-dimensional and more likely to engage the reader
• The reader begins to feel empathy for Scrooge


  When he returns to an almost childlike state in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Past
• The Ghost describes Scrooge as a 'solitary child, neglected by his friends'
• The juxtaposition of 'neglected' with 'friends'


  Develops the reader's empathy towards Scrooge
• Scrooge 'sobbed' in response to the Ghost noting the young Scrooge's neglect
• Scrooge's emotional response


  Signifies the start of his transformation
• Scrooge is similarly moved when reminded of his sister, Fan, his former employer, Fezziwig, and his former fiancée, Belle
• Scrooge is starting to realise

  Relationships, not money, bring happiness
• Dickens is inviting the reader

  To develop an interest in Scrooge's transformation and to celebrate with him at the end of the novella
• Scrooge says "I went forth last night on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it."
• The verb 'profit'


  Links to financial transactions, so we are reminded that Scrooge's transformation is ongoing - he is not yet completely transformed
• Scrooge implores the Ghost of Christmas Present to tell him if Tiny Tim will live
• Scrooge's attitude is changing


  His hard, rational attitude to the poor and needy is being replaced with a genuine interest in their welfare
• Scrooge vows to "honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."
• Dickens's use of statements

  Emphasises the significance of this moment and adds a tone of solemnity
• In the final section, Dickens employs similes to describe the change in Scrooge: "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy"
• The simile 'as light as a feather'


  Leads the reader to infer that Scrooge has cast off the chains of his earlier way of life
• The 'angel' simile


  Contrasts with the early description of Scrooge as a 'sinner', signifying that Scrooge has become a better person
• Scrooge's spiritual journey is complete and the reader is left with the understanding that people can change, and that society is a better place if we all look out for one another