Literature Analysis

                                                          A Christmas Carol

GENERAL
1.The story is about a selfish and cold hearted man, named Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is visited by his dead partner's ghost who is weighed down by chains. The ghost tells him that he needs to change his ways or he could end up like him. He also tells Scrooge that he would be visited by three different spirits. Scrooge is then visited the Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes Scrooge through some of his old Christmases. He is then visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, and is shown his nephew celebrating the Christmas eve. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows how people will be when he dies and how that no one will care or want to remember him. After these ghosts visits him, he becomes a changed man. He begins to be kind, caring, and generous to others.

2. In this story the theme was one of redemption. Scrooge was once a cold hearted character but after his journey with the third spirit he realizes that he must change his ways. He has the power to change his future (since it is not necessarily set in stone) and does. This implies to the reader that anyone, no matter how bad, can change their ways.

3. The tone switches depending on each scene and which characters are present. For example, scenes with Scrooge more than often have a vicious and cold tone.

 4. 1)Ambiguity
    2)Anachronism
    3) Anaphora
    4)Antithesis
    5)Flashback
    6)Irony
    7)Omniscient point of view



CHARACTERIZATION
1. Direct-
Scrooge when he is initially presented to us is done so with direct characterization (later followed by indirect characterization which elaborate the traits bluntly expressed to us).
Indirect-
- Ebenezer is depicted as a cold character by his reaction to his nephew’s “Merry Christmas!” with a “Bah! Humbug!”
-Scrooge is also indirectly characterized as selfish because he refuses to spend money for coal to heat his counting-house even though his clerk shivers in the front room.

2. There are a variety of ages in this story and with the younger generations diction is less advanced. Older generations also have a more flowery syntax. Scrooge in particular uses more negative diction which reflects his negative character. Other characters like the Cratchit family have a more pure use of diction which is heavily influenced by religion and God.

3. Scrooge is definitely a dynamic character. There is such a dramatic change in his character in the beginning of the book to the end. He changes from a selfish and unloving person, to a warm and kind human being. He is also a round character because he displays different traits throughout the whole story.

4. Yes, I did. Even though Scrooge's transformation was great and in such a short span of time, I feel like I could really connect with the character on a personal level. The story is one loved by all and is a great reminder to everyone that happiness is very important.