A Christmas Carol Dickens Essay Example

as severe as his views on Christmas, it still demonstrates Scrooge's overall negative outlook on life.

Dickens utilized several 'ing' ending words to accentuate Scrooge's personality, including "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, and clutching." Although rather repetitive, this technique proves to be highly effective. In addition, Dickens refers to Scrooge as "Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!" which implies that he is unwilling to spend money on anything unless it is a necessity or profitable. Furthermore, the author illustrates Scrooge's distrust for his clerk by leaving the door of his counting house open so that he can keep an eye on him. When the clerk applauds Scrooge's nephew Fred, Dickens describes it as "Involuntary applauded," indicating that the words spoken by Fred did not align with Scrooge's views on Christmas.
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The clerk feared punishment from Scrooge when he realized his wrongful actions and attempted to conceal them. Despite having only one coal on his fire compared to Scrooge's abundance, the clerk was warmer due to his big, warm Christmas spirit as opposed to Scrooge's cold-heartedness. According to Dickens, the clerk earns only fifteen shillings a week and must provide for his family during Christmas, including gift-giving. Scrooge criticized the clerk for requesting a day off on Christmas Eve and stated that it was not fair or convenient. Additionally, Scrooge believed it unfair to deduct wages from the clerk for wanting to observe a holiday he did not share. At the bottom of page 19, Dickens mentions the clerk's jubilant celebration of Christmas Eve by sliding down Cornhill

twenty times, emphasizing his cheerful disposition.

Dickens referred to some charity workers in his book, page 16, who attempted to collect funds from Scrooge for the benefit of the less fortunate. Despite their altruistic intentions, Scrooge displayed no compassion towards these individuals or those in need. Scrooge expressed concern only for the upkeep of working facilities and prisons to ensure that the indigent could fend for themselves without assistance. The two charity workers, described as "portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold,", visited Scrooge in his office with literature and documents in hand and greeted him respectfully with their hats removed. These charitable individuals symbolized the spirit of generosity during the holiday season.

The carol singer, whose nose was gnawed and mumbled by the cold, stooped down to Scrooge's keyhole and greeted him with "God bless you merry gentlemen, May nothing you dismay!" However, Scrooge's forceful response caused the frightened singer to flee, indicating that Scrooge was not in the Christmas spirit. As Scrooge opened his door with his key, he saw the image of Jacob Marley's face, which replaced the knocker without any apparent change. This made the face seem both curious and menacing, especially since the knocker had never transformed before. Dickens also describes a coach-like sound going up Scrooge's stairs, which enhances the feeling that something ominous is happening. After searching his house for unusual events or people, Scrooge locked himself in more securely than usual, suggesting that he was afraid of what he had experienced on this fateful evening.

In his writing, Dickens utilized various sounds to increase tension and create a sense of fear. One example is how he used the progression from quiet

to loud noises in a particular scene to establish the story's mood.

Moreover, Dickens effectively described Marley's ghost in detail by meticulously depicting his appearance, including his pigtail, boots, and coat-skirts. Through this vivid imagery, the author painted an accurate picture of Marley when he appeared before Scrooge.

Despite encountering Marley's ghost firsthand, Scrooge remained skeptical about their existence and refused to believe that one was sitting in his armchair. This attitude only further fueled Marley's determination to convince Scrooge that ghosts are real. To illustrate this point, when Scrooge asked why he was fettered, Marley explained that it was because he had willingly created and worn the chain around himself.

In 'A Christmas Carol', Dickens uses the stark contrast between Scrooge and other characters to emphasize Scrooge's singular character. Despite caring only for money, Scrooge achieved success in life. Upon hearing this from Marley's ghost, he feels fearful before being warned of three more ghosts: Christmas past, present, and future. The experience instills some Christmas spirit in him such that he cannot even say "humbug" anymore.

During the first stave, Dickens alters Scrooge's disposition and character by eliminating his ability to utter the phrase "Humbug".