Scrooge and theme of change

"scrooge entered timidly and hung his head before the spirit"

clear change accepts he is not the superior being in this situation. compliant to the spirit. accepting the fact that he needs to change and isn't fighting it. he is willing to learn from the spirits 'timidly' contrasts to scrooges confident rejection of visitors in stave 1 however, scrooges reaction to ghost speaking of his "more than 18 hundred" siblings. he responds uncharitably- still obsessing over money and the cost of tings. needs the final push to change for good.

"as light as a feather... as merry as a schoolboy... as giddy as a drunken man"

dickens uses a string of similes. light and airy to reflect scrooges emotions vividly. emphasizes the extent of his change stark to contrast to "as solitary as an oyster" in stave 1 the positive list is very simple- showing how simple happiness is. "light"- scrooge has had a burden lifted off him. his bitterness was dragging him down as well as those around him. this imagery is almost comical. hard to imagine that scrooge has changed this much. seems unrealistic. therefore dickens uses structure to create an equilibrium and appeal to our sense of order. for example scrooges good treatment of the boy whom he praises cancels out his poor behavior towards the carol singer in stave 1.

"I should like to say a few words to my clerk just now"

first glimpse of change in current scrooge he feels guilty about the way he treated Bob. however hasn't fully changed as he doesn't call bob by his name 'my' shows possession. views him as more of an object than a person. thinks he belongs to him as he works for scrooge.

belle calls money scrooges "idol"

in this scene we see the youthful and energetic scrooge turn into the bitter old man he is now scrooge starts to value money more than anything worships it like it were his god. views it as the most important thing. dickens shows the effects of greed. it can make you lose everything. scrooges obsession with money has replaced love and left him loveless and unloved for the rest of his lfe. during the exchange between scrooge and belle, scrooge uses business language. showing how consumed he is with work. could also be using it as it is the only language he understands/ cares about.

"secret and self-contained and solitary as an oyster"

oyster has a pearl inside- scrooge has something special in him he just needs to open up. alternatively- hoards his wealth the three adjectives compound scrooges isolation. further shown when people avoid him and he refuses Fred's invitation sibilance- snake like quality- sly and dangerous isolation of scrooge links to isolation of the classes

"i'm quite a baby"

pure, innocent, lively, energetic, optimistic about life reborn again- cured of his sins idea of being born again- christian belief that if you ask for forgiveness and repent your sins god will forgive you. readers too can change religious significance further emphasized by the church bells ringing "clash, clash,hammer; ding, dong, bell"

"behold what i shall be in days to come"

scrooge has already vowed to change and so thinks he will see the new improved, charitable scrooge, however when he realizes he is the unloved, unmissed dead man- final push he needs to change for good. scrooge is hopeful for the future. clear change excited to see the new him- ability to change was in him all along. reader realizes before Scrooge is the dead man- created feeling of superiority- think they're above scrooge and not going to make the same mistakes.

"decrease the surplus population"

scrooges response to the men collecting money for 'the poor and destitute who suffer greatly' intended to be disturbing presenting an accepted economic theory suggested by Thomas Malthus and dickens wants us to reject this as we reject scrooges attitude to the poor. 'surplus' sees them as useless. no empathy for the poor. shows his lack of social responsibility- not aware they are in this situation because of himself and others like him.

"hung his head and was overcome with grief"

scrooges response when spirit repeats his words about decreasing surplus population scrooge has been very proud in previous scenes and hanging his head is a big gesture emphasizing the extent of guilt he feels. also shows he is very ashamed. starting to realize his social responsibility and the dangers of greed. dickens will have done this to force the rich to think about things they have said and feel guilty about them- make them realize poor not to blame for their poverty. (one of the messages Dickens wanted to spread)

"bright clear jet of light"

what the ghost has springing from its head which scrooge cant bear. asks ghost to put his cap on light traditionally associated with purity, goodness and truth- links to innocence of childhood. foreshadowing what ghost will show scrooge. perhaps light makes scrooge uneasy as it reminds him of how sad, miserable and bitter he is stark contrast between ghost and scrooge could also be referring to how light makes scrooge uncomfortable. it is expensive and we know he avoids it (low fire at home and work) further emphasizing his greed as he wants to hoard his wealth.