Use of language in A Christmas Carol
Dickens uses language to draw us into the story and to present characters and scenes that are entertaining. He uses a strong narrative voice that comments on the characters at the same time as telling their story. The narrator, though unnamed, has opinions about Scrooge and his tale. He also places himself and the reader at the heart of the action, by suggesting that he is 'standing in the spirit at (the reader's) elbow.'
Dickens's language is highly descriptive and creates a vivid sense of place and setting.
Evidence and explanation of the language used
| How? | Why? | Effect? | |
| Clear narrative voice | Dickens uses a narrative voice that offers opinions on the characters. For example 'Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!' | The narrative voice is entertaining and instructs the reader how to feel about Scrooge. | We trust the narrator and know instantly that Scrooge is a man who is miserly and unpleasant. |
| Simile | When Dickens first presents Scrooge he describes him as 'Hard and sharp as flint'. | The simile likens the character to something that the reader can recognise. | We see that Scrooge is tough and unbreakable. |
| Dialogue | Dickens reveals the characters through the things they say. Scrooge famously uses the words 'Bah!' and 'Humbug!' in response to Christmas wishes. | The simple words are memorable and show that Scrooge is dismissive about Christmas. | Scrooge's determination to disengage with the spirit of Christmas shows him to be bad-tempered. |
| Personification | When Dickens describes Scrooge's childhood, he uses personification to emphasise how 'merry' the sound of the young boys is by saying 'the crisp air laughed to hear it!' | The sound of the boys playing and shouting is so delightful that even the 'air' is laughing. | The effect of this personification is to show how everything is affected by the good nature of the children. This contrasts with Scrooge's adult self. |
| Metaphor | The children 'Ignorance' and 'Want' are used to represent all the poor children in society: 'They were a boy and girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish'. | The children under the Ghost of Christmas Present's cloak are a metaphor showing the effects of greed and miserliness. | The reader, like Scrooge, feels pity for these 'ragged' children and this extends to a sense of responsibility for all the poor and homeless children in society. |
| Clear narrative voice | |
|---|---|
| How? | Dickens uses a narrative voice that offers opinions on the characters. For example 'Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!' |
| Why? | The narrative voice is entertaining and instructs the reader how to feel about Scrooge. |
| Effect? | We trust the narrator and know instantly that Scrooge is a man who is miserly and unpleasant. |
| Simile | |
|---|---|
| How? | When Dickens first presents Scrooge he describes him as 'Hard and sharp as flint'. |
| Why? | The simile likens the character to something that the reader can recognise. |
| Effect? | We see that Scrooge is tough and unbreakable. |
| Dialogue | |
|---|---|
| How? | Dickens reveals the characters through the things they say. Scrooge famously uses the words 'Bah!' and 'Humbug!' in response to Christmas wishes. |
| Why? | The simple words are memorable and show that Scrooge is dismissive about Christmas. |
| Effect? | Scrooge's determination to disengage with the spirit of Christmas shows him to be bad-tempered. |
| Personification | |
|---|---|
| How? | When Dickens describes Scrooge's childhood, he uses personification to emphasise how 'merry' the sound of the young boys is by saying 'the crisp air laughed to hear it!' |
| Why? | The sound of the boys playing and shouting is so delightful that even the 'air' is laughing. |
| Effect? | The effect of this personification is to show how everything is affected by the good nature of the children. This contrasts with Scrooge's adult self. |
| Metaphor | |
|---|---|
| How? | The children 'Ignorance' and 'Want' are used to represent all the poor children in society: 'They were a boy and girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish'. |
| Why? | The children under the Ghost of Christmas Present's cloak are a metaphor showing the effects of greed and miserliness. |
| Effect? | The reader, like Scrooge, feels pity for these 'ragged' children and this extends to a sense of responsibility for all the poor and homeless children in society. |
How to analyse language
Dickens describes the alleyways where the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge as:
Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the straggling streets; and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery.
Question
How does the language in this quotation create a sense of place?
As a language enthusiast and expert, it's evident that Charles Dickens masterfully employs various linguistic devices in "A Christmas Carol" to captivate readers and convey rich imagery. Let's delve into the evidence and explanation of the language used in the provided article.
1. Clear Narrative Voice:
- How? Dickens utilizes a clear narrative voice that provides opinions on the characters, such as calling Scrooge a "tight-fisted hand at the grindstone."
- Why? The narrative voice is entertaining and guides the reader on how to perceive Scrooge.
- Effect? This engenders trust in the narrator, immediately establishing Scrooge as a miserly and unpleasant character.
2. Simile:
- How? When introducing Scrooge, Dickens describes him as 'Hard and sharp as flint.'
- Why? The simile likens Scrooge to something recognizable (flint), offering insight into his tough and unyielding nature.
- Effect? Readers visualize Scrooge as a character with an unbreakable and harsh demeanor.
3. Dialogue:
- How? Characters, especially Scrooge, are revealed through their dialogue, such as his famous dismissal of Christmas with 'Bah!' and 'Humbug!'
- Why? Simple yet memorable words convey Scrooge's dismissive attitude toward Christmas.
- Effect? The dialogue highlights Scrooge's bad-tempered nature and his unwillingness to engage with the holiday spirit.
4. Personification:
- How? Dickens uses personification when describing Scrooge's childhood, stating 'the crisp air laughed to hear it!'
- Why? The personification emphasizes the delightful nature of the boys' sounds, even making the 'air' join in the merriment.
- Effect? This technique showcases how the good nature of the children affects everything, providing a contrast to Scrooge's later, less joyful self.
5. Metaphor:
- How? The children 'Ignorance' and 'Want' are metaphorically used to represent all poor children in society.
- Why? These children symbolize the consequences of greed and miserliness.
- Effect? The metaphor elicits pity for the impoverished children, extending to a sense of responsibility for society's less fortunate.
6. Analyzing Language:
- Question: Dickens describes the alleyways where the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge as places where "Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the straggling streets; and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery."
- How? This language creates a vivid sense of place by using vivid imagery and sensory details to portray the alleys as foul and crime-ridden.
- Effect? Readers can almost smell the unpleasant odors and visualize the squalor, enhancing the atmospheric depiction of the setting.
In conclusion, Dickens employs a rich array of language techniques in "A Christmas Carol" to craft a compelling narrative, build vivid characters, and evoke a strong sense of time and place. The evidence presented in the article showcases the author's mastery in using language to convey emotions, establish atmosphere, and deliver social commentary.
