Mainly, this novel is narrated in the third person. However, in some of the novel, the narrator refers to himself as “I”. This gives the reader the impression that the narrator is a character himself in the story or could be Dickens personal voice. He is opinionated which helps let the reader form judgements about characters. This narrator is the type of personality who will use a phrase and then gets distracted; loquacious digress ("I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail the deadest piece of ironmongery ") and to make humorous remarks. By the use of extended metaphors, such as “contagious a laughter and good humoured” makes the narrator come across as playful and intelligent.
Also the narrator influences the readers’ emotions to the atmosphere, for example in Stave One, “foggier”, “colder” and “nipped” are used. Another example, words such as “infection” and “irresistibly” are used. This particular choice of words by the narrator complements the warm, positive atmosphere in this section of Stave Three. The narrator helps to make clear contrasts of the Staves and also helps to show the change of Scrooge through opinions on Scrooge’s actions. These particular uses of language help portray contrast from a negative and dismal atmosphere where Scrooge is cold hearted to a positive, warm atmosphere where Scrooge is undergoing change.
These techniques make the narrator engaging and energetic. This relates to children; they are energetic and want to be engaged in something all the time. These techniques also make the reader want to read on. The humour added in the narrator’s text humanizes the narrator making it easier to relate with him and to use his opinions to aid personal judgements. This point established about the narrator links to my next factor of Dickens’ uses of characters and whether we align with to them or not.
Dickens uses a wide variety of characters to convey different meanings. Some characters are easier to relate to the meaning they convey, whereas others are harder to understand.
By Sarah Birchall
This novella is dominated by one character, Ebenezer Scrooge. The point of the story is to show how and why he changes. It is easy to overlook the change he has already experienced which is shown when he revisits his past in . As a child he enjoys the pleasures of the imagination, and he is close to his sister. As a young man working for Mr. Fezziwig he has not become greedy yet. Fred is right in pitying Scrooge because he does not find any pleasure in his wealth: he does not spend on himself any more than on others.
Though the first two spirits tell Scrooge some details, he sees most for himself. His own statements and feelings are the biggest clue to his changing attitude. He also has the shocking experience of seeing himself as others see him. Seeing himself as a small boy he thinks of the carol singer outside his door. When he sees his sister, Fan, he thinks of how harsh he has been to her son. But most of all he is affected by the sight of the person he is most able to help, Tiny Tim. Until the visit of the second spirit, Scrooge has not even known of the child's existence.
Dickens describes Scrooge by likening him to the winter weather, while noting that no weather has any effect on him. For example,” Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, covetous old sinner! The cold within him froze his old features…A frosty rime was on his head… He carried his own low temperature always about him” This particular section of text describes the misanthropic Scrooge in Stave One. The present participles give a sadistic tone; he’s constantly poorly behaved. “Cold…Frosty” create a cold – hearted, empty feel to Scrooge. The words relate to the lifeless and dull atmosphere. This section emphasises Scrooge’s avarice. The exclamation mark after “Scrooge!” shows the narrator being appalled, shocked at Scrooge’s behaviour. In my opinion this reflects on the reader’s judgement. There is no hint that this sinister figure will become the comical Scrooge of the last chapter. In Stave Five we as readers are growing to like Scrooge more through the previous staves, due to his gradual change. “I am as happy as an angel; I am as merry as a school boy… A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world!” This quotation shoes that Scrooge is rambling a little. It shows he is excited and overwhelmed. Also that he wants to be benevolent and philanthropic.
In this story we know Scrooge is a nothing more than a character, but in my opinion I think he shows real tendencies portraying reality. Dickens himself knew how harsh debt could be, working from childhood to assist his own "struggling family", his father having been sent to the Marshalsea, a debtors' prison. So why does Dickens choose to depict an old person? Perhaps to show that no-one is too set in his or her ways to change, and that change is possible even late in life. Scrooge has become one of Dickens' best-known creations. His name has been related to being mean.
We learn more of the members of Scrooge's family. Fred has inherited Scrooge’s sister: Fran’s good nature and is as obstinate in his kindness as Scrooge is bad-tempered. Scrooge has no other family. However his past fiancée, Belle, is the first to see how money has changed him. She rejects money and finds happiness in her family.
Finally, there are those whom we see at work. Mr. Fezziwig is a large kind man whose jollity is infectious. He is best judged by the company he keeps - almost every deserving poor person is welcome at his ball. Scrooge notes how Fezziwig has the power to make people happy or unhappy. Scrooge has the same power but he and Fezziwig use it in opposite ways. Best-known of all these characters are the Cratchits - two of them, anyway. Mrs. Cratchit and five of the children are sketched out but we see more of Bob and Tiny Tim. Bob is like a poor version of Fred in speaking up for Scrooge when his wife complains of him. In Stave 3 we are moved by Tiny Tim's courage and cheerfulness, in spite of his poverty and disability. In the next chapter we are moved again by the way the rest of the family comfort each other and remember the child. The scene is unashamedly sentimental but very moving. Happily, Dickens is able to reassure us that Tiny Tim does not die, and to give him the last word in the novella.
The three spirits and Marley are unusual in that Scrooge listens to them. At first he resists, but he rapidly learns not to oppose them. Where Marley is grotesquely comic, the first spirit is gentle and pitying, the second hearty and authoritative, and the third silently compelling.
My next point links with the supernatural elements of the ghosts and how the use of fantasy and realism is effective. Dickens uses realism through the use of the supernatural ghosts. The first ghost is Jacob Marley. Marley was Ebenezer Scrooge's equally greedy partner. Marley died seven years before the narrative opens. He appears to Scrooge as a ghost condemned wandering the world bound in heavy chains. Marley hopes to save his old partner from suffering a similar fate. The use of this ghost builds
By Sarah Birchall
tension through the introduction of a supernatural element. However, the message is very real. Marley is trying to invoke redemption from Scrooge through the next visitation of Ghosts.
The three spirit-guides, along with each of their tales, carry out a thematic function--the Ghost of Christmas Past, with his glowing head, represents memory; the Ghost of Christmas Present represents charity, empathy, and the Christmas spirit; and the reaper-like Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come represents the fear of death.
The Ghost of Christmas Past is represented by a mixture of an old person, but with the personality of a child. This slightly humanises the Ghost, making it appear more real. It portrays enjoyment by Scrooge’s younger self then how he develops into his present self. This helps to humanise Scrooge by providing history and that Scrooge was capable of relationships and emotions. This provokes guilty feelings from Scrooge.
The Ghost of Christmas Present is based more on reality than the other two ghosts. It is portrayed as a giant, more human, who is jolly. This reflects in the atmosphere which is jolly and co – operative. This ghost shows how others celebrate Christmas through joy and worry despite their situations. This is based on how Dickens saw Christmas through the poor. They still celebrated even thought they were unimaginable conditions. The Ghost also shows Scrooge about poverty and misery, a key reality issue in Dickens’ period. Through the use of travelling across the land, the Ghost shows us the world’s problem, yet they are overcome with love and joy. At the end of the Stave the Ghost shows Dickens’ main concerns; the children of Want and Ignorance.
The last ghost, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is set in the image of Death; Grim Reaper. This is a supernatural element in co-operation with a real issue; Death. The ghost is shrouded in darkness and is silent. This connotes fear and mystery. It makes the ghost appear less human and less friendly. This Ghost shows Scrooge a man’s death, unbeknown to Scrooge that it is him. It shows the opinions of others to the death. The use of pleasure and relief contrasts with the lack of compassion and the lack of respect which surprises and shocks Scrooge, reflecting his own present composure. At the end the ghost shows Scrooge a grave, which Scrooge realises is his. The silence makes Scrooge work out and understand that he needs to change. “Assure me that I may yet change these shadows you have shown me by an altered life… I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.” This shows Scrooge’s desperation for comfort and for redemption.
To conclude I think that the use of all my chosen 3 factors contribute to the enduring popularity of A Christmas Carol. By using an interesting and engaging narrator, linked with clear characters helps to draw in the reader and make the story easier to remember and adapt to a wider audience of all ages and interests. I think the use of realism and fantasy is the most important factor however. This is because both adults and children can relate and interact with reality and fantasy. It also makes the story more enjoyable; different and contrasting. I especially liked that Dickens showed through the use of the supernatural so the ghosts who convey deeper reality based meanings. The fantasy broadens the imagination, whereas the reality leaves a clear and relevant message.
