...J Hansen Mrs. Burnham Language Arts, Period 4 13 December 2016 A Christmas Carol: Literary Analysis Essay Have you ever thought about the Victorian Era and how different life is today? This is significant because there was so much tragedy and Charles Dickens wrote about it in A Christmas Carol. Truly the only way people survived was by caring. Charles Dickens grew up in the Victorian Era being very poor. He wanted people to realize how life was in the low social class in Victorian England, so he wrote A Christmas Carol. The story is about how Scrooge changes throughout the book, childhood innocence, and social justice. Scrooge’s personality and attitude from the beginning of the book to the end changed dramatically. Dickens also indirectly...
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...Character Analysis Essay for Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol "Greed, Ebenezer Scrooge, wealth. Feel them. Know them. Yours was as heavy as this I wear seven years ago, and you have labored to build it since," wailed Jacob Marley in Frederick Gaines's adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (396). Burdened by his greedy life, Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's deceased business partner, is forced to wander the spirit world with no sense of peace. He warns Scrooge to change his selfish ways to avoid the same miserable fate. Marley's ominous warning sets in motion three life-altering journey through time for Scrooge with the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come. Ebenezer Scrooge, originally a greedy and heartless character, changes drastically after his ghostly experiences influence him to become a generous and caring man by the end of the story. In Scene I of "A Christmas Carol", Scrooge is a bitter and self-centered man. For instance, Scrooge's own nephew, Fred, asked Scrooge if he would join Fred and his family for dinner. Scrooge coldly denied Fred's invitation by saying "Nephew, keep Christmas in your own way…"(390)....
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...Representation of the poor in A Christmas Carol In A Christmas Carol Dickens put in an element of entertainment for his readers, but he also found it necessary to alert them to the urgent need for social reform in the Britain of 1840s. He achieves this aim by depicting a range of different types of poverty and by inviting both Scrooge and his readers to consider how these might be relieved. In this essay I shall examine Dickens’ various depictions of the poor and their living conditions, paying particular attention to the differences between the ‘virtuous’ working poor and those who are nearly at the point of starvation. Dickens represents different degrees of poverty in A Christmas Carol. In the first instance he introduces his readers to the ‘acceptable’ face of extreme poverty in the form of Bob Cratchit and his family. Although they occupy only four rooms and have hardly enough food to go around, they work hard to earn a living, keep themselves clean and are honourable and decent. The narrator’s pronouncement that due to Scrooge’s intervention, Tiny Tim ‘did NOT die’ makes it clear that the young boy’s state was the result of a poor diet and difficult living conditions. The fact that the two young Cratchits delight and amuse one another with commentary on the goose and the Christmas pudding also suggests that these children’s stomachs are empty and that they daydream about things that would now all be taken for granted in current society. Bob and his family, who are clearly...
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...about this caramel, which she and Sheila would suck on every Sunday night, Bridie explains how it came to be consumed. At Christmas 1943, to the amazement of the women, a group of male Australian POW’s managed to get to the barbed-wire fence. Then they sang a Christmas carol and were serenaded in turn by the female prisoners. After this even which so surprised the Japanese, that they did nothing about it, Sheila and Bridie decided to have a ‘proper Christmas dinner’, which meant finishing the caramel. A soldier who had winked at Bridie remained in her thoughts and when the war ended they married. Importance of Scene 7 Scene 7 serves to reinforce for the audience the wartime bonds of friendship between the two women, a reoccurring theme within the play, and their shared caramel provides a powerful image in our minds of the deprivation they endured, but also of the tenacity, hope and friendship they clung to. Distinctively Visual Elements of the Scene • Caramel is symbolic because it symbolizes hope and survival of the girls. This shows that the caramel is the only luxury that they have in the camp. • The male choir is symbolic of strength and self-determination because it shows how determined the men were, that they could see the women by going to the camp and not being at there work duty. • Music in this scene is the male choir singing Christmas carols. • Description of skinny Australian men who came to the camp to visit the girls, gives a distinctively visual image of...
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...Marvelous Christmas Vacation “There is no place like home.” The above passage made me eager to go home. My Christmas vacation started on December 19, 2010, so I left MSU together with my sister on that day also after attending Misa de Gallo. When I arrived home, my youngest brother surprised me. He made some Christmas decors in our home and prepared our dinner. He even washed our dishes because he knew we were very tired from a long trip. “Wow! Is this my brother?”,I said to myself. Because of the long time we didn’t see other we gave and received hugs and kisses in our family. Early in the morning in the next day, we attended the Misa de Gallo in our place since it has become a tradition in our family to attend the nine-day period of prayer or in short Misa de Gallo from December 16 through December 24 at dawn everyday to prepare ourselves in commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Also, in our church it is our attitude that in every after Misa de Gallo there is always painit to be serve to the people who attended the mass. I was impressed that the practice that we have was not diminished as time goes by, but it was developed. In myself, visiting my lolas, antes, uncles, cousins and my other relatives has been my attitude every time I got home. When I met my cousins we still played our childhood game, dakop-dakopan. I enjoyed very much. Going in the church, I am glad that the Catholic Youth Organization is still alive. Since I am a member...
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...How does Dickens use language and Imagery to show that Scrooge's desire for wealth has affected his character and Behaviour and that of the people around him? 'A Christmas Carol' written in 1843. It was the first of five short Christmas books written and published by Charles Dickens. 'A Christmas Carol' was the most successful novel in the series. Soon after its publication, all of the copies were sold. Since its publication, the story has been sold in a variety of forms. 'A Christmas Carol' has been adapted for stage, radio, movies and television; however, the book remains the most popular telling of the tale. The book 'A Christmas Carol' is not simply a book about Christmas. Charles Dickens used the theme where people are sensitive to philanthropy- (loving your fellow man) and generosity so it had universal appeal. Charles Dickens wrote the novel because he wanted to publicise the plight that the poor suffered; the story bore extreme relevance in it's time and he embodied his philosophy that we should love our fellow man in his work. This is very poignant in a Christmas Carol as Scrooge adapts into a character who learns that he can still love his fellow man. This concept is summed up in the book when it says that 'if a man's spirit does not walk around the earth in life it is condemned to do so in death. 'Belle breaks their arrangement, one which was made when he was a poor man because 'Another idol has displaced me'. She thinks she is no longer as important to Scrooge as...
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...A Christmas Tuna This play takes place in a small town called Tuna, Texas. It is centered on the town's annual Christmas Yard Display Contest. While everyone is preparing for the big Christmas lawn contest, an anonymous “Christmas Phantom," known for vandalizing yard displays, threatens to destroy the contest and turn it into chaos. While several characters are shown, some main characters are the Bumiller’s and Joe Bob Lipsey. All characters, including men, women, and children, are played by two actors who sufficiently play each role. As the play begins there are two announcers who announce the Christmas Yard contestants and where we meet several of the characters. We are informed that one of the characters Vera Carp, has won the contest 14 times in a row. Bertha Bumiller desperately tries to convince Charlene Bumiller to get into the Christmas spirit. We also learn that Stanley Bummiller, who brings home a pregnant cat and is Charlene’s twin, is attempting to end his probation from jail by helping with the production of A Christmas Carol. The actors do a stupendous job at keeping the audience entertained and keep us laughing. We then meet Vera Camp, the town snob, tries to help Bertha redecorate her Christmas tree. We learn that Bertha’s husband, Hanks, wallet is found in front of the Star Light Hotel, as it is assumed that he has been cheating on her but Bertha will not leave him. We meet Didi Snavely, who is believed to be a crazy woman who owns a weapon store. We learn...
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...“He became as good as a friend, as good as a master, and as good as a man, as the good old city knew…” Discuss Scrooge’s transformation in A Christmas Carol In Charles Dickens Novella a Christmas Carol, the protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge transforms himself from a self-centred cold old man to a person who realises the true meaning of life and Christmas. Scrooge came to a point in life where he was confronted by his dead friend/business partner Jacob Marley to change his ways in order to escape the fate of ending up like him. In the process of changing his ways he had learnt to value important things in life such as happiness, love, and family more than the way he valued himself and his wealth. However Scrooges agreement to change could also be based on the fact that he didn’t want to lose his wealth and pass on which is quiet selfish. Dickens chooses to transform Scrooge in order to highlight the importance of kindness and its effects. Initially dickens introduces scrooge into the Novella as a selfish, cold, miser who cared about nothing more than himself and money. As he is confronted by the ghost of Christmas past, present and future he begins to transform himself. The ghost of Christmas past had showed him the kind of employer Fezziwig was towards Scrooge and this contrasts to how Scrooge mistreated Bob Cratchit. Fezziwig was a happy lively old man who made everyone around him happy “the happiness he gives is as great as if it costs a fortune”. Upon seeing and remembering...
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...A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In this extract we are presented with Scrooge. From the beginning Scrooge is presented as a miser. In the extract we find out that he is an old, rude and ignorant man that doesn’t appreciate others around him. Dickens uses different language techniques to describe Scrooges appearance as clear as possible. In the opening paragraph Dickens uses imagery to create a vivid impression of Scrooge. He is described as ‘a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone’, and this metaphor suggests that Scrooge works hard for his money but is very tight with his money. In the opening lines Dickens includes similes. ‘Hard and sharp as a flint.’ Flint is a hard stone that was used with iron to create sparks before people used matches. This makes me think that Scrooge would have very sharp features, a pointy nose and always has a scowl on his face. This then gives you an idea of what Scrooge looks like. The other simile in the opening line is ‘solitary as an oyster’, this shows that Scrooge is alone. He is a solitary person, who avoids other people. This quotation is also an example of foreshadowing. Overtime oysters open up and inside them are a pearl, Dickens has used this because throughout the book Scrooge will eventually begin to open up. Also in the first paragraph of the extract Charles Dickens uses alliteration. ‘Secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.’ The effect that the alliteration gives makes you focus on the words...
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...adult supervisor be there when you are completing your Community Service. If appropriate, we encourage Clubs to perform “Acts of Kindness” for their Sparrow Family, as part of their Community Service. Always check with the family or a Sparrow Clubs representative first, to make sure that this is a good fit. Here are some examples of what Legitimate and Non-Legitimate Community Service is: LEGITIMATE COMMUNITY SERVICE Perform “Acts of Kindness” for your Sparrow Family. Help other non-profit organizations. Sing Christmas carols to elderly people at a retirement home. Gather firewood for an elderly person who lives alone Pick up the garbage at a local park. Make ornaments for Christmas tree at retirement home Make crafts for hospital. Shovel snow or remove ice for widow, elderly person, or needy family. Read to a younger child. Art projects for retirement home. Make placemats for “Meals on Wheels.” Entertain / read at a nursing home. Wrap Christmas gifts at Fire Department....
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...“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” provides evidence of Maxist Critisism. This lens focuses on social class, power, wealth and materialism. At the beginning of the story, the Grinch is shown as very cruel, unlike everyone in his community. By the end of the story, the Grinch realized that even without all the presents, and food, Christmas was still successful. The Grinch has been living away from everyone, and has been isolated as stated, “But the Grinch, Who lived just north of Whoville.” This may be because of his lack of wealth, that he wasn’t able to live with everyone else. Not only this, but the Grinch mentioned that Christmas requires materialistic things, which he doesn’t have. He mentioned that everyone was hanging mistletoes, and...
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...¨If there is no struggle there is no progress.¨ (Frederick Douglass) Change is sometimes difficult at first but, the outcome is plainly beautiful. Take for instance Scrooge. He underwent a wondrous change. People can change if they really try or through a certain experience. The novella used was A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens. Scrooge was a miserable, bitter old man. The author wrote, “Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.” (pg. 2) This shows that Scrooge was selfish, silent, and lonely because he never cared for anybody but himself. On the night of Christmas Eve, a couple ghosts visited Scrooge and showed him his past, present, and...
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...Grinch Stole Christmas How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the greatest Christmas movie ever made. It is a movie based on the book by Dr. Seuss. A classic Christmas movie like How the Grinch Stole Christmas can make anyone excited for Christmas. It brings a different view of Christmas to the table. Do you still believe it is not the best Christmas movie? Well, I bet you will change your mind after seeing it. The movie begins with the Grinch sitting in his house on the mountain. He is a cold hearted person who does not like Christmas. The Grinch does not like how happy the Whos are during the season, so he wants to find a way to get rid of Christmas. He makes himself a Santa Claus costume and a reindeer costume for Max, his dog. But the Grinch needs one more thing, a sleigh. He builds a sleigh so it would be believable that he is Santa Claus. When is was night time, the Grinch went to Who-Ville and...
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...“No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused.” This quote from in Charles Dickens’s novel, A Christmas Carol, is spoken by the ghost of Jacob Marley to Ebenezer Scrooge. In the scene, the spirit is trying to convince Scrooge to change his miserly ways before it is too late. Throughout the book, Dickens uses symbolism in the ghosts that visit Scrooge. After reading Thomas C. Foster’s book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, I have also been able to recognize that the book might also be somewhat political. In Dickens’s book, the first ghost that visits Scrooge is his old business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley, who was once like Scrooge, essentially begs him to become a better, less selfish person. Now, Marley’s character is full of symbolism. It is even stated in the book that the thick chains that weigh down his body are representative of the “chains he forged in life.” They represent his greed and his wrongdoings that keep his locked down. When his physical appearance is described, it even says...
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...In a Christmas Carole, we disapprove of scrooge’s meanness, but we always care about his fate. Do you agree? In A Christmas Carole, by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge is first depicted as a ‘cold-hearted’ and ‘miserly’ character that lacks the compassion and generosity that was much needed in 18th century London. Through the intervention of spirits, from the past, present and future influence Scrooge to understand himself and those around him, which lead to gaining the sympathy and moral support of the audience. The Scrooge that Dickens initially creates is a ‘cold-hearted’, ‘miserly’ character where the qualities of a ‘good’ human being are nonexistent. As a result, causing the readers to dislike and disapprove of Scrooge and his utilitarian society viewpoint. The first description of Scrooge from the novella, emphasises his harsh, unforgiving personality, which is mirrored in his physical features, ‘the cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his check, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue.’ Additionally Dickens uses tough and harsh sounding adjectives such as, ‘grasping’ and ‘clutching’, which conjure up an image of Scrooge in your mind. From the beginning of the novella the audience is constantly reiterated that he is an unpleasant character. This is also reflected in his name, which is used as an adjective today to describe someone who is unpleasant and stingy. Initially, scrooge is a mouthpiece for...
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