Scrooge is nasty. “Hard and sharp as flint.” There are many meanings in this quote, firstly it could relate to a weapon such as a knife. Knifes are associated with pain, and that’s what Scrooge gives his workers throughout the winter. He limits their coal supplies so they freeze. Not only does he cause physical pain but he also upsets a lot of people through him not believing in Christmas. He also upsets a lot of other people through his job, as a loan shark and as a loan shark, and especially around Christmas as it is a time of spending a lot of money, and a lot of people are in debt. Another connection is that flint is used to make fire. This could indicate that even though it’s not there yet, there is some warmth inside him.
Scrooge is a lonely character. “As solitary as an oyster.” Oysters spend a lot of their time alone, and in a way, so does Scrooge. Something comes near an oyster and it snaps. Scrooge is also like this, for example, when two people were trying to collect charity money from him, he bites back, and gives nothing. On a nicer note though, Oysters create pearls. We find out that when Scrooge was young, he loses his fiancée because he was getting too involved with his business, so that could represent the softer side within him, even though it’s not yet shown.
Scrooge is described by the weather. “Cold bleak, biting weather.” Not only does this describe the scene, but it also describes Scrooge. He’s a cold character, and the scene is used to describe him in a more interesting way. The word biting could mean really cold, or it could also mean something nasty. Something that this could relate too is the way Scrooge treats his workers. Not only does he limit their coal supplies, so that its biting cold in the offices, but he also bites on at them to do stuff, and generally makes their lives at work like hell.
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Scrooge has changed his view on Christmas. “I will honour Christmas in my heart.” The word honour could have a number of meanings. Firstly, it could mean respect. At the beginning of the novel, Scrooge showed respect for no one, especially his employee’s, and especially at Christmas. Honour could also mean to give your word to someone. Scrooge promises the three ghosts; The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to come that he will change his ways, and start being nice and honouring Christmas.
Scrooge pays Bob Cratchit a visit. “Merry Christmas Bob.” Since Scrooge’s visit from the three ghosts, Scrooge is a new man. Just a few days before, Scrooge detested Christmas, and that was shown in the way he treated Bob, and his other employee’s. He was expecting them to work all the way up until Christmas! But they fought against it, and won. This may suggest that Scrooge did originally have a tiny bit of kindness hidden away inside him, and after the ghosts’ visit, it shows more. Bob’s reaction when he opens the door Scrooge is as if he’s worried about him being there, and what he was going to do or say, but is surprised when he gives him a pay rise, and offers the family a “Prize Turkey.”
Scrooge was like a second father to tiny Tim. “And to tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.” Scrooge has a son, who is grown up, and was not very nice to him when he payed him a visit before Christmas. The fact he is now like a father to tiny Tim shows he is now a changed character, and is more caring. The pay raise he gave to Bob, tiny Tim’s real father, they were able to save him from dying. This also proves the point that he is more caring now.
Scrooge’s face was wet with tears. “His face was wet with tears.” The word wet could have a variety of meanings. Firstly, it could mean the ocean, or sea, which would give you a picture of a nice place that you would possibly go to on a holiday. It could mean the opposite too which is miserable. Rain, which could relate to Scrooge at the beginning as rain is associated with miserable. The best meaning in my opinion is water, which could also be known as drinking or alcohol. Thinking of that, it gives you a picture of a very merry Scrooge who has probably had a few too many to drink.
Scrooge has a broken voice. “Broken voice.” It could mean old, as old people sometimes have broken voices, and Scrooge is old, so it’s easy to picture. My favourite idea is that it means cracked. Firstly, the three ghosts cracked, and came to visit Scrooge to make him crack out of his old shell, and change his ways which he did. He cracked from being a grumpy old guy into a Christmas lover, and now he also has a lot more respect for other people apart from himself.
It’s a nice day. “Golden sunlight.” Now, that’s different to the start, where the weather was biting cold. The word Golden could also relate to Scrooge’s wealth, as a lot of money is golden, and now he’s being more generous with his money, for example he is giving money to the poor whereas at the beginning he told the collectors where to go! Now he’s more generous with his money, he shares it with more people, and sunlight goes to everyone, and in a way, so does Scrooge’s money! It is also representing that it’s a nice day as Scrooge is now being nice to everyone.
In conclusion, Scrooge is a complete opposite at the beginning to the end. He changes from being a miserable old man to a cheerful man!
