Dickens uses the character of Ebeneezer Scrooge to criticise the divide between those who
have money, and those who do not.
We follow the change in the character, and we learn as a reader that we can change too.
Dickens’s use of repetition positions Scrooge as a lonely character at the start of the
novella when he summarises his role in relation to Marley: ‘Scrooge was the sole executor,
his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and
sole mourner’.
The repetition of the adjective ‘sole’ emphasises the solitary nature of the lives
led by both men.
Dickens also uses the simile ‘Hard and sharp as flint’ to describe Scrooge.
The adjective ‘Hard’ suggests that he lacks warmth, empathy and compassion while
the adjective ‘sharp’ suggests pain, implying that Scrooge has no mercy towards others.
The comparison with ‘flint’ is interesting, however.
Flint is used to create fire.
Dickens might be implying that there is the potential for a spark of warmth within Scrooge,
who might yet change.
Scrooge is described with the simile as ‘solitary as an oyster’.
At first glance, we have the impression that Scrooge, like an oyster, has a tough, hard
exterior and is closed to others.
The simile is effective because it emphasises how he has chosen to isolate himself.
It also suggests that there may be more to be discovered where Scrooge is concerned.
Just as, when forced open, an oyster may contain a pearl, so Dickens suggests there may be
something worthwhile to be found within Scrooge.
This imagery foreshadows the future positive change in Scrooge’s character.
Yet Dickens also uses humour in relation to Scrooge’s character.
I go through this in more detail in my top set analysis video.
For example, 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 deliberately uses word play with the pun on ‘grave’ and ‘gravy’ to make
Scrooge’s character less two-dimensional.
This makes the reader more likely to engage with Scrooge and celebrate his transformation
at the end of the novella- if we just think he’s an out and out idiot, we won’t realise
that the message he learns in the novella is also relevant for us as readers.
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.
When visiting Scrooge’s old school, the Ghost describes Scrooge as a ‘solitary child,
neglected by his friends’.
The adjective ‘solitary’ reminds us of the ‘solitary as an oyster’, simile except
that the child Scrooge was literally alone, and this was not his choice.
The juxtaposition of ‘neglected’ with ‘friends’ develops the reader’s empathy
towards Scrooge at this point in the novella.
When Scrooge ‘sobbed’ in response to the Ghost noting the young Scrooge’s neglect,
the reader understands that empathy and compassion have the power to elicit an emotional response
from Scrooge.
This signifies the start of his transformation.
(He is similarly moved when reminded of his sister, Fan, his former employer, Fezziwig,
and his former fiancée, Belle.)
It is apparent that Scrooge is starting to realise that relationships, not money, bring
happiness.
By encouraging the reader to feel sorry for Scrooge, Dickens is inviting us to develop
an interest in his transformation and to celebrate with him at the end of the novella.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present appears, Dickens reminds us that Scrooge’s attitude
is changing: ‘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.’
He is prepared for the lessons that await him.
Interestingly, we still have imagery to do with money.
The verb ‘profit’ links to financial transactions, so we are reminded that his transformation
is ongoing – he is not yet completely transformed.
Dickens signals an important moment in Scrooge’s character arc when he shows empathy towards
Tiny Tim.
The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to the Cratchit household, and Scrooge implores
the Ghost to tell him of the boy’s future: ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live’.
Dickens’s use of the imperative signifies that Scrooge genuinely seems to care about
the little boy’s fate.
This contrasts with his earlier comments about the poor and, how if they die, this will ‘decrease
the surplus population’.
His attitude is certainly changing, and we now see his hard, rational attitude to the
poor and needy being replaced with a genuine interest in their welfare.
The climax of the novella is when Scrooge reads his own name on a gravestone and realises
that he is the person about whom everyone has been talking.
Dickens employs statements (declarative sentences) when 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 of the novella, Dickens employs more 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’.
These heighten the contrast with the ‘oyster’ and ‘flint’ similes from earlier in the
text.
The simile ‘as light as a feather’ leads the reader to infer that he has cast off the
chains of his earlier way of life (chains that are currently weighing Marley down).
Feathers also connote freedom and flight, implying that he is closer to Heaven than
he was previously.
This links to the ‘angel’ simile, contrasting with the early description of Scrooge as a
‘sinner’.
Angels connote goodness, signifying that Scrooge has become a better person.
We see that Scrooge is indeed a changed man; his spiritual journey is complete and we,
the readers, are left with the understanding that people can change.
Society is a better place if we all look out for one another.
Well I hope you found this video useful.
Everything I go through in this video series can be found in the second edition of Mr Bruff’s
Guide to A Christmas Carol.
The links are in the description - you can pick up a copy.
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