In Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol, the protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge experiences a notable transformation in his personality after being visited by the spirits of past, present, and future. At first depicted as unfeeling and miserly, Scrooge’s encounters with these otherworldly entities bring about a favorable change. Through adept storytelling techniques, Dickens demonstrates how Scrooge’s demeanor alters, ultimately fostering better connections with those around him and evident modifications in his speech and actions.
Scrooge’s initial portrayal highlights his harsh and unforgiving nature, evident in his physical appearance:
The man’s coldness affected his appearance, freezing his facial features, making his nose pointed and numb, causing his cheeks to shrivel up, stiffening his walk, and giving him red eyes and blue lips.
Dickens employs various adjectives, including “grasping” and “clutching,” to effectively portray Scrooge in this excerpt. It is evident from the start that he is an unsympathetic character, with his name even becoming synonymous with unpleasant and stingy individuals. Additionally, Dickens uses similes to further highlight Scrooge’s antisocial conduct.
These negative comparisons liken one’s demeanor to being hard and sharp as flint and solitary as an oyster:
Scrooge is compared to foul weather, as no wind, snow, or rain was more harsh and determined than him. He is portrayed in a melancholic manner.
Dickens portrays Scrooge as uninterested in conversation and unconcerned with others’ opinions. This is achieved through the use of short, sharp phrases full of insults, such as “Bah! Humbug!” This speech pattern indicates a lack of desire to communicate. Additionally, Dickens employs internal monologue to show that Scrooge has no one to talk to and therefore speaks to himself, highlighting his isolated existence. This technique effectively presents the character’s thoughts and emotions in a direct manner, rather than relying on their actions.
Dickens provides a thorough account of Scrooge’s encounters with the spirits, using lengthy descriptive sentences. Through his writing, Dickens immerses the reader in the story, enabling them to feel as though they are accompanying the spirits and sharing Scrooge’s experiences. One notable instance is when the first spirit transports Scrooge back to his childhood, and Dickens vividly portrays the joyful atmosphere as boys engage in laughter and play on donkeys. The most impactful sections of the book involve themes of scarcity, such as when the Spirit of Christmas Future guides Scrooge to a graveyard.
The streets in the quarter were filled with alleys and archways, which were like cesspools, releasing smells and dirt as well as the hardships of life. The entire area was overwhelmed with crime, filth, and suffering.
Using alliteration of s sounds, Dickens effectively emphasizes and highlights the conditions, creating a vivid and impactful image.
At the conclusion of the narrative, Scrooge undergoes a transformation, while Dickens’ writing style remains unchanged. Despite employing positive imagery, the author remains highly descriptive, much like at the tale’s beginning. By using similes such as “as light as a feather” and “as giddy as a drunken man,” Dickens presents Scrooge as an innocent and immature character. Moreover, he incorporates onomatopoeia, exemplified by “clash” and “whoop!,” to amplify the auditory aspect of the scene. Additionally, to infuse some jocularity into the atmosphere, Dickens includes a touch of humor when Scrooge jokingly raises Bob Cratchit’s salary, prompting Bob to reach for a ruler in disbelief. As for Scrooge’s dialogue, it becomes more extended and emotionally evocative, with jests dispersed amongst his interactions with others.
Dickens uses a first-person narrative without revealing the identity of the character, allowing him to express his personal views. As soon as Scrooge is introduced, the reader is informed that he is a disagreeable, greedy old man, and this perception is consistently reinforced throughout the story. However, the rest of the narrative consists of various instances that demonstrate how Scrooge can be proven wrong and that transformation is achievable.
