28/09/16 page 11

Short sentence: “The cold became intense.”

Church…court (religion….justice)

“ragged men and boys” The word choice of ragged has suggestions of…

The word choice of ragged is also emotive language (what emotion is the writer trying to evoke in the reader?)

This evokes (EMOTION) in the reader

“pale faces ruddy” – CONTRAST

The use of contrast (Lord Mayor …little Tailor) further isolates Scrooge and shows how far removed from society and humanity he is.

 

PATHETIC FALLACY – when the weather reflects the mood/or character thoughts/ feeling etc/ action

Personification of the house – likening the house to Scrooge. Even Scrooge’s external environment is as isolated and lonely and depressing as his internal environment.

“fog and frost” – alliteration/ pathetic fallacy

Supernatural element

 

Page 16

“hearse” – vehicle which carries a coffin – yet again another reference to death to and the gothic” Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it” – literally interpretation – Scrooge is a penny-pincher. Metaphorical interpretation is that Scrooge likes evil.

Repetition of “nobody” – emphasises Scrooge’s aloneness.

Dickens is evoking sympathy for Scrooge from the reader: “little saucepan”

“clanking” – A)2 onomatopoeia, the use of onomatopoeia highlights the grotesque sound and furthers the grotesque atmosphere Scrooge is surrounded by.

“boom” the onomatopoeia heightens the terror.

Marley – repetition of “pigtails” constantly associates Marley with pigs – animals often used in literature for their cunning and sly characteristic (e.g. Animal Farm)

“caustic and cold as ever” – alliteration of c – describing Scrooge.

Caustic - sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.

 

Marley’s first name is only revealed by Marley when we meet him. The use of the surname alone until this point possibly links to Scrooge’s distance between himself and other humans as by referring to someone only as their surname is such a formality – perhaps by only using surnames this keeps Scrooge at a formal distance form others (and the reader). DOUBLE CHECK

Q – when do we first learn of Scrooge’s first name – is this highlighting the distance between reader and Scrooge, and everyone else and Scrooge.

Scrooge believes in nothing. This is highlighted when he explains to Marley’s ghost that he is probably the effect of food poisoning.

“persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own creation” – word choice and metaphor. Yet still Scrooge refuses to believe in consequences as he believes these to be his “own creation”. He believes himself to be entirely unconnected to others and religion. He is unaware of the idea of afterlife.

Page 22 – links to Doubting Thomas, further religious connotations/links

Condemned – word choice has associations with religion (afterlife)

Key theme (idea) – consequences of deeds/ acts done during life

Key theme 2 – forgiveness/ the possibility of change / hope/ redemption  (“solitary as an oyster”)

 

Page 29

“ferret eyes” – metaphor

Just as a ferret can be vicious, is not a pet and is not known for being friendly so Scrooge can be vicious, does interact with other humans and is not friendly. (AO2)

“chimes of a neighbouring church” – alliteration of “ch” sound which draws attention to the detail of the presence of the church. In this text Scrooge appears to constantly be surrounded by churches, hence Dickens is suggesting that no-one can escape religion.

It is interesting that of all of the hours Dickens chooses to have the first ghost visit Scrooge it is on the twelfth hour. Twelve (just as three earlier) is a number with strong religious connotations – there are 12 disciples, again linking the events to religion.

“I wear the chain I forged in life” – metaphor

“trembled” – word choice/ repetition shows Scrooge being affected

Jacob – religious connotations

“speak comfort to me”  - Scrooge is alone, desperate and childlike

Dickens lived in a time of great social inequality and division. The monetary roles of Scrooge and Marley highlight this.

Scrooge meets Marley’s ghost on his knees – a religious position of prayer

Incessant – word choice/ repetition – suggestions of continuous , negative suggestions

 

Scrooge’s main concern and view of life is business

“It” – Marley’s ghost is sometimes referred to as this. The use of the pronoun shows that, if you live a bad life, you are insignificant and uncared for in the afterlife. Cold/ harsh.

Trembled – quake Scrooge becomes more affected (word choice)

3 – huge religious suggestions – holy trinity/ 3 wise men