Right from the start, Dickens novel appeals to us. One of these is that he uses staves instead of chapters. Staves are used in carols. This is clever as when we figure this out it makes us feel good about our self. Dickens himself writes with a good story telling manor. He uses a narrator and writes in great detail about things. “” This allows us to visualize and to relate to the story more. He also makes Scrooge at the start look like a nasty man at the start which is interesting and enjoyable to read. It also makes us anticipate how he is dealt with. Charles Dickens describes scrooge’s character really well. The way he describes him gives you a distinct impression of what he is like.
“The cold within him freezed his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek.”
I think Charles Dickens does this so that it emphasises how mean and nasty scrooge’s character is. Charles Dickens creates scrooges character in a way that makes us have mixed feelings for scrooge. We dislike him because he is mean and nasty. We also feel sorry and sympathise him because we realize that the mean nasty man must have feelings.
“Even the blind mans dog appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts.”
This also makes it popular because again it makes you anticipate the ending. It makes us feel that he will turn out good in the end and there will be a happy ending.
The setting is realistic because of the amount of position and detail Dickens put into it. This makes it effective because it is as if he has seen it (like an artist).
“Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so.”
“Tremulous vibrations.”
“People repairing gas mains.”
If you where filming this you would know exactly what the set and people should look like as it is that posies and detailed.
There are several aspects about this stave which makes the novel popular and entertaining; one of these is Bob Cratchitt. At the start Bob Cratchitt is treated quite badly and you instantly feel sorry for him. “His fire looks like one coal.” With this dismal fire bob Cratchitt pathetically tries to warm his hands up; this adds to the sympathy you feel for him. We also feel sorry for him as scrooge makes them work in separate rooms, this makes you feel that scrooge wants them to work silently and formally. This gives scrooge as sense of power and gives the image that he is better than everyone else. Dickens also contrasts Bob Cratchitt from scrooge. Scrooge is cold and mean whereas Bob Cratchitt is generous and warm. This is shown when Scrooges nephew came to visit “Page 6” What is also entertaining and adds to the popularity is that however mean and nasty scrooge is Bob Cratchitt always remains loyal, polite and gentle “Page 9.” He also shows the contrast. “The clerk promised that he would; and scrooge walked out with a growl.” Dickens makes him sound like a ‘wild boy’. Charles Dickens also makes scrooges character humorous (which makes it popular) because we think of an old grumpy man acting like a child. Then Scrooges nephew enters. His nephew is a very merry character. This is entertaining and popular as you anticipate conflict between Scrooge and his nephew. Scrooge tells him what right does he has to be merry. Scrooge’s nephew then responds with what right does Scrooge have to be dismal. This persistent manner to be merry makes him a very popular and entertaining character. Later on two charity workers walk in. This instantly makes you anticipate how mean scrooge is going to be. You know that scrooge is going to throw them out straight away as we no how mean and tight he is. This creates humour and makes it very entertaining. As this scene goes on you see how heartless and mean scrooge really is. As the charity workers ask for money for the poor Scrooge replies with “Are there no prisons for the poor?” This instantly sows how selfish he is, and the attitude he has to the people less fortunate than him. Seeing Marley’s face in the door knocker is entertaining and adds to the popularity as it takes Scrooge by surprise. It is funny as Scrooge; a sharp intimidating is taken by surprise and looks scared. After he sees the face he does start to get nervous and scared walking into his house. For example he checks behind the door almost expecting to see Marley’s face behind him. Dickens uses a very clever way of describing this part which adds to the popularity. The purpose of Marley’s ghost visiting Scrooge is to warn him that he must change the way he treats people or will suffer the same fate as him; tied in chains to wander the earth for all eternity; watching people suffer yet you can do nothing to redeem your self.. He also comes to tell Scrooge that three spirits will visit him during the night. Scrooge noticed that Marley was tied chains. Marley says that they represent all the wrong things you have done in your life. Scrooge also noticed that Marley’s ghost was still wearing his old coat and boots that Scrooge knew so well, but he was a lifeless, transparent colour just like you would expect a ghost to be.
The three ghosts add to the popularity of the novel. First of all they take Scrooge on a journey. This is popular because it gives a sense of adventure and adventure themes are very popular for example Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering heights.
The reason these adventures were so popular is because it is a journey through time. This is a new thing for the Victorians which creates shock nowadays. We relate to this through television like doctor who. Also this makes scrooge change; this makes it popular as it’s not all about visiting place, it’s about he reacts and changes.
At the end of the novel scrooge has completely changed. He has changed from being old, miserable and mean; to being kind and exhilarated (quote). In the first paragraph Dickens cleverly used scrooges voice to describe the room (quote). This makes us empathise with him and feel his excitement. Dickens also uses repetition to emphasise scrooge’s laugh (quote). He does this to make sure that the audience has noticed that he is laughing. Scrooge also sends for a giant turkey for Bob cratchitt and gives the boy money for getting it. He also pays for a cab so the delivery person doesn’t have to carry it. This part of the novel shows how much scrooge has changed. He has become generous, kind and considerate. Next scrooge walks around the street greeting people. He also bumps into the charity collectors who he gave a huge contribution too. You begin to see that Dickens has cleverly repeated the events from stave 1, but made them chances for scrooge to be generous, for example the boy, the charity men, his nephew… This has a huge effect on people and most of them are surprised and happy for example the charity men. “Cried the old gentleman”. This is repeated to show his pleasure. Again this emphasises the point and makes us relate and feel the enthusiasm and joy.