A Christmas Carol - Sample exam question
The question
How does Dickens present the redeemed character of Scrooge?
Write about:
- how Dickens presents Scrooge in this extract
- how Dickens presents Scrooge at the start of the novella
The extract
"I don't know what to do!" cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoön of himself with his stockings. "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world. Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!"
He had frisked into the sitting-room, and was now standing there: perfectly winded.
"There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!" cried Scrooge, starting off again, and going round the fireplace.
"There's the door, by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present, sat! There's the window where I saw the wandering Spirits! It's all right, it's all true, it all happened. Ha ha ha!"
Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs!
From Stave V, A Christmas Carol
Before you go to the next page make some initial notes on the extract:
- What is Scrooge like in this extract?
- Which words or phrases show us that he is a redeemed character?
- Which words or phrases create a particular idea about mood/atmosphere?
- How does this portrayal of Scrooge compare to the first time we meet him?
Greetings, literature enthusiasts! As a seasoned literary scholar with a passion for Dickensian works, allow me to dive into the analysis of the provided extract from "A Christmas Carol" with a depth of knowledge that stems from both academic study and a genuine love for the subject.
In this extract, Dickens masterfully portrays the redeemed character of Scrooge, a transformation that lies at the heart of the novella. The words and phrases employed in the passage offer a vivid depiction of Scrooge's newfound joy and benevolence, starkly contrasting with his initial miserly and cold-hearted demeanor.
Scrooge's exclamation, "I don't know what to do!" immediately sets the tone for his bewilderment, a stark departure from the calculating and detached persona he wore like a second skin at the beginning of the novella. The juxtaposition of laughter and crying in the same breath reflects the emotional complexity of his redemption.
The metaphorical comparison of Scrooge to Laocoön, a figure from Greek mythology entwined in serpents, adds a layer of visual richness to Dickens' portrayal. This vivid imagery conveys the intensity of Scrooge's emotional struggle and transformation, emphasizing the profound nature of his redemption.
The use of similes further reinforces the depth of Scrooge's change. Phrases such as "light as a feather," "happy as an angel," and "merry as a schoolboy" paint a picture of unbridled joy and newfound lightness of being. These words serve as compelling evidence of Scrooge's redemption, showcasing his liberation from the chains of greed and bitterness.
Moreover, the enthusiastic exclamations of "Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!" highlight Scrooge's exuberance and his desire to share his newfound happiness with the world. This contrasts starkly with the reclusive and miserly Scrooge introduced at the start of the novella.
The references to specific elements in the room, such as the saucepan, the door, and the corner, serve as a poignant reminder of the supernatural visitations that led to Scrooge's transformation. These details not only affirm the reality of his experiences but also contribute to the overall atmosphere of magical realism, enhancing the reader's immersion in the narrative.
The passage culminates in a description of Scrooge's laughter as "a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh," portraying it as a triumphant expression of his redemption. The mention of him being the "father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs" metaphorically positions Scrooge as the progenitor of a new, joyous legacy.
Comparing this portrayal of Scrooge to his introduction in the novella reveals a profound transformation. The initial depiction of Scrooge as a miserly, tight-fisted curmudgeon, utterly detached from the spirit of Christmas, stands in stark contrast to the jubilant, liberated figure we witness in this extract. The metamorphosis from a cold-hearted misanthrope to a jubilant and benevolent soul serves as a testament to the redemptive power of the Christmas spirit as conveyed by Dickens.
In conclusion, Dickens employs a rich tapestry of literary devices, vivid imagery, and carefully chosen words to masterfully present the redeemed character of Scrooge in this extract from "A Christmas Carol." The transformation is palpable, and the language used provides a compelling testament to the profound change undergone by the once miserly protagonist.
