
In the first chapter Dickens introduces Scrooge and he is the main character of the story. Scrooge had old features and the cold within him froze his old features. “It had nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red and his thin lips blue.
How does Dickens present Scrooge in a Christmas Carol?
In stave one, Ebenezer Scrooge is depicted as an extremely cold, callous businessman who was insensitive, cold-hearted, and miserly. Dickens vividly described Ebenezer Scrooge by writing: Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!
How is Scrooge compared to things in nature that are cold?
Scrooge is compared to things in nature that are cold: he has frozen features, and his white hair is a "frosty rime." He is a walking cold wave, chilling the atmosphere everywhere he goes. He is as unpleasant as bitter wind and harsh precipitation.
How many similes does Dickens use to describe Scrooge's lack of generosity?
To describe his lack of generosity, Dickens strings together six synonyms for greedy. He uses two similes, comparing Scrooge to flint and an oyster, both unyielding.
What was Scrooge thinking when he looked at the door knocker?
He also mentions that Scrooge had not been thinking about his late partner Marley. The narrator then explains what a surprise it is to Scrooge when he looks at his door knocker that night and beholds Marley’s face. It isn’t a trick of the shadows but a real ghost in the shape of Scrooge’s old partner, as if alive but motionless.

How is Scrooge presented in the beginning?
At the beginning of the novella, Scrooge is presented as a cold-hearted miser. This is evident when it says, “Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!
How is Scrooge described in Stave 1 quotes?
"Scrooge never painted out Old Marley's name"" a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner""Hard and sharp as flint""solitary as an oyster""which no steel had ever struck out generous fire""A frosty rime was on his head""The cold within him froze his features"More items...
How is Scrooge presented in Stave 1 extract?
Extract 1 Stave One A description of Scrooge But he was a tight‐fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self‐contained, and solitary as an oyster.
How is Scrooge described?
A miserly and mean character who only cares about money. Described as a "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!" in Stave One. He is portrayed as unfeeling, with Dickens repeatedly referring to the cold when describing him.
How is Scrooge presented throughout the novel?
Dickens presents Scrooge's character in this extract as stubborn, selfish and rude. He wishes nothing to do with the two gentlemen and wishes “to be left alone.” Scrooge is also shown to be self-centred. He believes that the poor do not need or deserve to be helped by being given comfort and food.
What happens in Stave 1 A Christmas Carol?
The first Stave centers on the visitation from Marley's ghost, the middle three present the tales of the three Christmas spirits, and the last concludes the story, showing how Scrooge has changed from an inflexible curmudgeon to a warm and joyful benefactor.
How does Dickens present Scrooge's greed in Stave 1?
Greed 10: Scrooge's greed was exhibited in the beginning of the story by his stinginess with coal in his office. He refused to burn large fires because it required too much fuel, so Cratchit had to try to warm himself with the candle on his desk.
What two similes are used to describe Scrooge in Stave 1?
Evidence and explanation of the language usedHow?Clear narrative voiceDickens uses a narrative voice that offers opinions on the characters. For example 'Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!'SimileWhen Dickens first presents Scrooge he describes him as 'Hard and sharp as flint'.3 more rows
How is Scrooge presented as cold?
According to Dickens's description, Scrooge is cold through and through. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. Dickens uses pathetic fallacy to represent Scrooge's nature. The weather is a metaphor for Scrooge's behaviour as he cannot be made either warmer or colder by it.
How does Dickens present Scrooge's greed in Stave 1?
Greed 10: Scrooge's greed was exhibited in the beginning of the story by his stinginess with coal in his office. He refused to burn large fires because it required too much fuel, so Cratchit had to try to warm himself with the candle on his desk.
Who describes Scrooge as solitary as an oyster?
When visiting Scrooge's old school, the Ghost describes Scrooge as a 'solitary child, neglected by his friends'. The adjective 'solitary' reminds us of the 'solitary as an oyster', simile except that the child Scrooge was literally alone, and this was not his choice.
How is Scrooge presented as a lonely character?
Scrooge is an outsider in society and is victim to his own, self-inflicted loneliness. No one necessarily pushed Scrooge away, instead he ostracised himself from society. self contained and solitary as an oyster”, the sibilance is similar to that of a snake which suggests something sinister.
What does Dickens use to describe Scrooge?
He had a frosty rime on his head, on his eyebrows and on his wiry chin”. Dickens uses a list format to describe Scrooge’s appearance. List format enables the reader to build up an image of Scrooge in his mind. Charles Dickens describes Scrooge’s coldness with the help of weather extended metaphors.
What does Dickens mean by Scrooge?
Dickens has described a very negative character in Scrooge in the opening chapter of “A Christmas Carol”. He represented Scrooge as a very mean person in the story but later on Scrooge transforms into a kind and generous person. Dickens wanted to teach us how to be happy.
What is Scrooge's appearance?
Dickens wrote this story to be read aloud as well as quietly. He uses metaphors and similes to describe Scrooge’s appearance. Charles Dickens uses a list-like format to explore his point e.g. Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!”.
What does Dickens use as an extended metaphor?
Dickens uses extended metaphors. Extended metaphors continue the comparison into the rest of sentence or the sentence that follows. Charles Dickens uses weather as an extended metaphor to tell us about Scrooge “No warmth could warm him, no wintry weather chills him.
Why did Charles Dickens write a Christmas Carol?
Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” because his experience made him want to criticise the attitudes of selfish and greedy people. In this essay I will explore how Charles Dickens introduces Ebenezer Scrooge in the Stave One of “A Christmas Carol” and shows us Scrooge’s attitude towards Christmas and to other people.
Why did Scrooge go down a slide on Cornhill?
He went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys twenty times, in honour of Christmas Eve. Scrooge’s behavior is the opposite of the teachings of Christianity, which teaches that people should be sharing, loving and helpful. Scrooge’s nephew is presented as a very happy and kind person.
Who is Scrooge's nephew?
Scrooge’s nephew is presented as a very happy and kind person. He was the only person in the story who offered Scrooge anything. His nephew invites him to a Christmas dinner but Scrooge refuses to go. Scrooge’s nephew thinks that Scrooge does not really mean when he says “Humbug!” no matter how many times he says it.
What does Scrooge represent in Dickens?
Scrooge represents the ignorant attitude of the wealthy classes that Dickens despised in his own society. Scrooge sees the workhouses as a solution to a problem, and shuts out the idea that their inhabitants are real feeling human beings.
What does Scrooge tell Fred to leave him alone?
Fred responds that though it hasn’t brought him any profit, Christmas has done him good. Apart from its sacred meaning, it is a time for goodness and charity.
What is Scrooge's nephew's theme?
His greed is so extreme that he will not even spend the money to allow Cratchit to be warm in the office. Active Themes. Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, enters the office, wishing a merry Christmas. Unlike Scrooge, he is a picture of health and happiness. Scrooge replies with “Bah! Humbug!”.
What is the stave 1 in A Christmas Carol?
A Christmas Carol: Stave 1. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in A Christmas Carol, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. The narrator states that there was no doubt about Marley ’s death. Scrooge, Marley’s business partner, signed the register of his burial.
What does the narrator describe Scrooge as?
The narrator describes Scrooge as “Hard and sharp as flint.”. His appearance matches his character, with cold-looking, pointy features. He keeps his office cold, not even heating it at Christmas time. Consequently, everybody who comes into contact with Scrooge avoids him.
What does Scrooge wish Cratchit?
Fred leaves kindly and on his way out wishes Cratchit a Merry Christmas. Scrooge mutters that Cratchit, with a wife and family and nothing to live on, can’t possibly be merry. Despite Scrooge's ill temper Fred generously and authentically invites him over. Scrooge could have family, if only he would allow himself to.
Why does Scrooge turn to Bob Cratchit?
At closing time, Scrooge turns to Bob Cratchit and taunts him for wanting the day off for Christmas day. He doesn’t understand why he should pay a day’s wages for no work, but he lets Cratchit leave on the condition that he will arrive early on Boxing Day.
