Descriptive words
Misanthropic, miserly, altruistic and later he is reflective and regretful
Scrooge Start
A 1. “As solitary as an oyster”
Similie used in order to reflect Scrooges misanthropic nature, how he does not get along with anyone; he has chosen to isolate himself.
- “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”
Use the of the rhetoric reflects how Scrooge feels that the destitute and poor should go to these “workhouses” which have very poor living conditions. Shows Scrooge cold-hearted nature and spite towards the poor.
- “They should rather do it and decrease the surplus population”
relates to the Malthus theory and yet again shows how Scrooge lacks sympathy for the poor, belittling their identity. Shows the stark difference in classes during Victorian England.
- (Extra) “I can’t afford to make idle people merry”
flawed perception of the paw. Reflects Scrooge is a miser and won’t let go off his money.
Scrooge Middle
- “Tell me if Tiny Tim will live”,
a contrast to Scrooge in stave 1, shows care and sympathy, stark contrast to his altruistic manner is stave 1.
- “Have they no refuge or resource?”
This relates back to the poor laws and (again) is in contrast to the “are there no prisons?” Reflecting a sense of change in the character of Scrooge. He is more reflective.
- “It’s likely to be a cheap funeral” + “pendulous excrescence”
relates back to Scrooges miserly nature, how he doesn’t spend much and is very “cheap”.
“Pendulous excrescence” dehumanises Scrooges rough features.
Scrooge End
- “I will honour Christmas in my heart”
reflects change, contrast to his “bah humbug” and use of “heart” shows how he has developed emotions. He’s not as “cold” and heartless anymore.
- “Light as a feather, Happy as an angel, merry as a school boy”
use of a asyndetic triadic highlights to what extent Scrooge is happy, direct contrast to “the cold within him froze his old features” in stave 1. Shows he has changed and developed emotions through the similies.
- “I will endeavour to assist your struggling family”
repeats this ongoing theme of change and he is technically repenting by helping the crachits. No longer an altruistic miser.
