How and why does the character of Scrooge change?
Introduction
In this essay, I am going to analyse the changes in the character of Scrooge in the
novel 'A Christmas Carol'.
'A Christmas Carol' is the story of how Ebenezer Scrooge changed from a money grabbing man who cared for, and was cared for by, no one, to a caring, loving and
generous individual. This story was written by the esteemed writer Charles Dickens,
and after being published in 1843, 'A Christmas Carol' became one of his most
famous pieces of literature. The story deals extensively with one of Dickens'
perennial themes - poverty, and its causes and effects; however the origins of this
story lie in Dickens’ anger about how society was developing – an everyone for himself attitude.
To achieve my aim in showing how and why the character of Scrooge changed, I will
analyse his behaviour at the start of the novel, and at the end, while commenting on
how and why any changes in his character occur.
What is Scrooge like at the beginning?
Dickens uses a variety of language to enable the reader to build up a distinctive
image of Scrooge at the very beginning of the story. Dickens uses a list-like format
to define every detail about Scrooge.
Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching,
covetous old sinner!” The repeated, rhythmic use of verbs, which are all negative,
and onomatopoeic phrases, emphasises the harshness, miserliness, and negativity of Scrooge's nature; the rhythmic cycle of words also gives the impression that this list of negatives could go on forever.
Dickens then uses similes and metaphors to compare Scrooge to objects that
people can recognise; Scrooge is “Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had
ever struck out a generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips... [continues]
Introduction
In this essay, I am going to analyse the changes in the character of Scrooge in the
novel 'A Christmas Carol'.
'A Christmas Carol' is the story of how Ebenezer Scrooge changed from a money grabbing man who cared for, and was cared for by, no one, to a caring, loving and
generous individual. This story was written by the esteemed writer Charles Dickens,
and after being published in 1843, 'A Christmas Carol' became one of his most
famous pieces of literature. The story deals extensively with one of Dickens'
perennial themes - poverty, and its causes and effects; however the origins of this
story lie in Dickens’ anger about how society was developing – an everyone for himself attitude.
To achieve my aim in showing how and why the character of Scrooge changed, I will
analyse his behaviour at the start of the novel, and at the end, while commenting on
how and why any changes in his character occur.
What is Scrooge like at the beginning?
Dickens uses a variety of language to enable the reader to build up a distinctive
image of Scrooge at the very beginning of the story. Dickens uses a list-like format
to define every detail about Scrooge.
Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching,
covetous old sinner!” The repeated, rhythmic use of verbs, which are all negative,
and onomatopoeic phrases, emphasises the harshness, miserliness, and negativity of Scrooge's nature; the rhythmic cycle of words also gives the impression that this list of negatives could go on forever.
Dickens then uses similes and metaphors to compare Scrooge to objects that
people can recognise; Scrooge is “Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had
ever struck out a generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips... [continues]
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