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. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. The simple words are memorable and show that Scrooge is dismissive about Christmas. Dickens uses personification to help bring the setting of the novella to life. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4. Scrooge's determination to disengage with the spirit of Christmas shows him to be bad-tempered. Even a sinister even frightening image of Marley in chains is softened by a humorous simile “wound about him like a tail”. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1. [Teachers might provide examples of decoding words using context clues, such as: Have students work in small groups to use Worksheet 1 to analyze language in stave 1. When analysing the language Dickens has used, aim to: he chose (positive, negative, descriptive), (what else could a phrase refer to or suggest? A Christmas Carol is a fairly straightforward allegory built on an episodic narrative structure in which each of the main passages has a fixed, obvious symbolic meaning. Read about our approach to external linking. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. What might be Marley’s reasons for appearing at Scrooge’s home and promising a series of visions? Point out that it is often possible to figure out the meanings of words and phrases based on how they are used in a text.

and 'Humbug!' The book is divided into five sections (Dickens labels them Staves in reference to the musical notation staff--a Christmas carol, after all, is a song), with each of the middle three Staves revolving around a visitation by one of … 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.

Copyright © 2007 - 2020 Revision World Networks Ltd. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish'. Weather reflects Scrooge’s character and emotions and he is described as carrying "cold within him", and his presence "iced his office". Dickens’ gives each stave a clear purpose; The first stave introduces us to the character of Scrooge and highlights his many flaws. We trust the narrator and know instantly that Scrooge is a man who is miserly and unpleasant. Describe and analyze Ebenezer Scrooge as he is presented in the opening stave. As the story progresses the narrator becomes more melancholy as the tale gets darker. At the beginning the narrator is chatty and engaging to draw the reader in.

'Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, , disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the, creates a sense of a warren of small streets and tight spaces, compares the streets to sewers and shows how disgusting they are, 'straggling' makes the streets seem winding and unruly, is vivid and gives us a sense of a foul smell, shows how dirty and dangerous the street are, Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). Dickens uses vivid language, elements of classic ghost stories and a clear five-part structure to present this Christmas story. A stave is a set of five parallel lines on which a musical note is written. Consider how Charles Dickens used the opening chapter to convey a clear image of the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge. Identifying the Meanings of Words and Phrases, Worksheet 1. Analyze the meanings of words and phrases based on textual context. The middle three staves recount Scrooge’s past, present and future and lead him to meet the three ghosts who teach him the error of his ways. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3. This playful example of personification makes the city seem exciting and alive, and reflect the energy surrounding Christmas. Dickens's language is highly descriptive and creates a vivid sense of place and setting. A Christmas Carol. Invite general responses to the novel’s characters and style, including any factors that make the reading a challenging experience. Explain that A Christmas Carol was written nearly two centuries ago during a time often referred to as the Victorian Period in honor of England’s reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. (, The painting depicts a bucolic scene of shepherds and flocks of sheep on a rustic hill. 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. Many of the author’s word choices relate directly to cold, dismal, miserly traits (tight-fisted, squeezing, wrenching, grasping, steel, bitterer, etc.). in response to Christmas wishes. As the story progresses the narrator becomes more melancholy as … The narrator controls the tone of the novella, using different language styles throughout the tale. Note that chapters in this work are also known as “staves.

Scrooge's cold and bitter personality is shown as being more formidable than the weather and the narrator makes this clear with "No warmth could warm, nor wintry weather chill him. Follow with whole-class review, using the teachers version of Worksheet 1. '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.'. Worksheet 1 involves them in decoding language based on context (CCSS RL 8.4) and engages them in close examination of parts of the text, all of which stress Scrooge’s coldness and isolation.

Dickens’ uses symbols throughout the novella to communicate his ideas. Fred’s musical family is shown in contrast to lonely, miserable Scrooge. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6. Emphasize close textual study as a tool to understanding words and phrases. Dickens uses similes to create a comic mood. He uses a strong narrative voice that comments on the characters at the same time as telling their story. Onions in the green grocers' shops appear "ruddy, brown-faced, broad-girthed" as they sit "winking from their shelves". Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

The narrator has a casual tone and comes across as a talkative and witty story teller again suggesting the story should be read aloud to a group. The narrator controls the tone of the novella, using different language styles throughout the tale. The narrator, though unnamed, has opinions about Scrooge and his tale. Using Textual Clues to Understand “A Christmas Carol”, Lesson 2: Scrooge as He is Revealed during the Ghostly Experiences, A Literary Glossary for Literature and Language Arts, Fiction and Nonfiction for AP English Literature and Composition, Terry Tierney was an unhappy, surly, morose individual. Are there people like him in real life today? The children under the Ghost of Christmas Present's cloak are a metaphor showing the effects of greed and miserliness.

Using the term stave also links with the title of the novella as a Carol is a traditional Christmas song (Often about the birth of Christ and the spirit of giving). Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole. Explain that A Christmas Carol was written nearly two centuries ago during a time often referred to as the Victorian Period in honor of England’s reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. The effect of this personification is to show how everything is affected by the good nature of the children. ), Evidence and explanation of the language used, Dickens uses a narrative voice that offers opinions on the characters. (. The role of the narrator. The lack of warmth in Scrooge’s life is depicted by “a very small fire” in his offices and “a very low fire” at his home. Fire and Brightness are used to symbolise emotional warmth throughout the novella. By focusing on selected passages, students understand Dickens’ language and recognize the protagonist’s adamant refusal to participate in the holiday celebrated by everyone around him. Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. It also sets up the events that bring about his redemption. Why might his responses be both curiosity and trepidation. Scrooge famously uses the words 'Bah!' Identifying the Meanings of Words and Phrases (teachers version). that comments on the characters at the same time as telling their story. When Dickens first presents Scrooge he describes him as 'Hard and sharp as flint'.

Dickens reveals the characters through the things they say. The simile likens the character to something that the reader can recognise. The Novella is split into five staves. The children, ignorance and want personify the problems caused when society neglect the poor. No wind that blew was bitterer than he". The narrator, though unnamed, has opinions about Scrooge and his tale. This contrasts with Scrooge's adult self. Dickens uses language to draw us into the story and to present characters and scenes that are entertaining. Worksheet 1. You may want to have students peruse EDSITEment-reviewed Victorian Web to get a sense of gender roles, class differences, and social mores of the time. The narrative voice is entertaining and instructs the reader how to feel about Scrooge. What does A Christmas Carol teach us about life and humanity? The Language used in A Christmas Carol. What do the other characters in the story seem to think of Scrooge? Why, for example, does the nephew persist in trying to lure Scrooge into a holiday spirit? What sorts of visions do you expect Scrooge will experience? What are your main impressions of Scrooge? Sign in, choose your GCSE subjects and see content that's tailored for you. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.5. Dickens describes the alleyways where the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge as: How does the language in this quotation create a sense of place?

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The children 'Ignorance' and 'Want' are used to represent all the poor children in society: 'They were a boy and girl. Marley’s chain is made out of cash boxes, keys, padlocks and ledgers, this symbolises Marley’s obsession with money and how it has lead him to ignore his fellowman. We see that Scrooge is tough and unbreakable. At the end of the novel the narrator is again light hearted for the happy and uplifting ending.

The title of the novella as well as the use of staves suggest to the reader that the story is meant to be listened to and enjoyed by groups of people.