scrooge

• A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!'


  Dickens uses asyndetic listing in his description of Scrooge to portray the extent of his greed. The motif of closed hands emphasises this and his desire for wealth. The multiple relentless verbs used emphasise his greed to the reader, whilst also referring to Scrooge as a miserly and selfish individual. This immediately characterises him as an unlikeable character.
• As solitary as an oyster.'


  A powerful simile is used to represent Scrooge's separation with society. The adjective 'solitary' highlights his isolation, presenting him as hostile. The choice of comparison to an oyster is significant as, while oysters can be hard and dark on the outside - like Scrooge -they can contain something valuable and beautiful on the inside (pearls). This foreshadows a possible positive growth in Scrooge as the novella progresses, destroying his hard exterior to reveal the 'pearl' inside him.
• A frosty rime was on his head and chin.'


  The adjective 'Frosty' suggests something below freezing temperatures. Through the use of pathetic fallacy, this connotes how cold an unfeeling Scrooge is internally. Christmas is associated with warmth, and so presents Scrooge as futile toward Christmas.
• Nobody ever stopped him in the street.'


  This quality is unusual, as in Victorian times, people were very cordial (friendly) with one another. Dickens uses an anaphora to highlight Scrooge's isolation. The use of universal nouns 'Man, children, woman' rule out every single person. Not even the 'beggars' ask Scrooge - demonstrating his futile nature.
• Hard and sharp as flint'


  Flint represents the melancholy grey, dismal colour that reflects Scrooge's dismal attitudes. Flint is a stone used to make fires, therefore Dickens hints early on in the novella that there is warmth inside of Scrooge.
• What golden idol has replaced you?'

  Dickens presents the idea that Scrooge's misanthropic attitude and inclination towards money over others has damaged his relationships. The adjective 'golden' is in reference to Scrooge's excessive passion for wealth.
• Haunt me no longer!' ... 'And he sobbed.'


  Scrooge is ashamed of his previous actions as he realises what he has lost, emphasised by an exclamation. Foreshadows a transformation.
• A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.'


  The reader is able to see why Scrooge is so miserable - empathises with Scrooge. His isolation began long ago.
• Tell me if Tiny Tim will live' ... 'Overcome with penitance and grief'


  Scrooge shows worry for Tiny Tim. The reader understands that there is still some care and kindness for others in Scrooge. 'Overcome' highlights Scrooge's excessive 'grief'.
• Who suffers by his ill whims! Himself, always'


  The time phrase 'always' expresses the self-harming nature of a miserly, stingy attitude and the effect that has on your relationships with others. It provokes pity from a man with much less wealth - emphasising the pointlessness of material wealth.
• I will live in the past, present and future!'

  The extensive time phrases emphasise Scrooge's desperation to change for the better. It portrays Scrooge's understanding and reflection that he has undergone with each of the ghosts.
• To Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was like a second father.'


  Scrooge played a big part in saving Tiny Tim from death - emphasising the need for the rich to help the poor. The noun 'father' highlights Scrooge's newfound connection with the Cratchits after being helped by the ghosts.
• Bright' 'clear' 'golden sunlight' 'heavenly' 'sweet' 'merry'.

  Semantic field of positivity. Dickens uses pathetic fallacy to contrast the 'thick fog' of stanza 1 to highlight Scrooge's redemption. Now the fog has cleared, he can see past his own personal interest.
• I'm quite a baby'

  Scrooge is presented as innocent through the connotations of a 'baby'. He is juxtaposed from stanza 1 as a 'covetous old sinner'. Dickens highlights that his redemption is similar to Scrooge being 'born again'.
• As light as a feather, as happy as an angel, as merry as a schoolboy'


  Multiple similes are used to emphasise the sheer extent of Scrooge's newfound joy. He is 'light' from his misery. 'Angel' represents the Christian values of spreading the word of happiness.
• Here, Scrooge whispered in his ear.'


  Scrooge is being charitable to the portly gentlemen, who he previously shunned, after his redemption. The amount of money is not specified as Dickens wants to encourage the reader to donate for the sake of goodwill.