(, The painting depicts a bucolic scene of shepherds and flocks of sheep on a rustic hill. Dickens uses personification to help bring the setting of the novella to life. A stave is a set of five parallel lines on which a musical note is written. Structure and Language (A Christmas Carol). EDSITEment is a project of theNational Endowment for the Humanities. 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. The Language used in A Christmas Carol. This Section looks at the structure and Language of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 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. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2. The narrator, though unnamed, has opinions about Scrooge and his tale. The role of the narrator. Analyze the meanings of words and phrases based on textual context. 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. Why might his responses be both curiosity and trepidation. Identifying the Meanings of Words and Phrases, Worksheet 1. and creates a vivid sense of place and setting. Dickens’ uses symbols throughout the novella to communicate his ideas. At the beginning the narrator is chatty and engaging to draw the reader in. The 5th Stave reminds us of events of the first stave such as the charity collectors, giving the novella a circular structure that shows us how the events of the story have changed Scrooge. Dickens reveals the characters through the things they say. As the story progresses the narrator becomes more melancholy as the tale gets darker. This contrasts with Scrooge's adult self. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.5. Identifying the Meanings of Words and Phrases (teachers version). Dickens uses vivid language, elements of classic ghost stories and a clear five-part structure to present this Christmas story. Even a sinister even frightening image of Marley in chains is softened by a humorous simile “wound about him like a tail”. Follow with whole-class review, using the teachers version of Worksheet 1. Have students write short essays in which they describe the life and personality of Scrooge as he is described in the opening stave. 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. 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. How does Dickens use symbolism throughout A Christmas Carol? 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 narrative voice is entertaining and instructs the reader how to feel about Scrooge. Fred’s musical family is shown in contrast to lonely, miserable Scrooge. Scrooge and the Ghost of Marley by Arthur Rackham. 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. The effect of this personification is to show how everything is affected by the good nature of the children. Weather reflects Scrooge’s character and emotions and he is described as carrying "cold within him", and his presence "iced his office". 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 children under the Ghost of Christmas Present's cloak are a metaphor showing the effects of greed and miserliness. The narrator controls the tone of the novella, using different language styles throughout the tale. 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. 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. He also places himself and the reader at the heart of the action, by suggesting that he is 'standing in the spirit at (the reader's) elbow.'. But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!'. 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? Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish'. He uses a strong narrative voice that comments on the characters at the same time as telling their story. What sorts of visions do you expect Scrooge will experience? Our team of exam survivors will get you started and keep you going. 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. Music is used to show joy and happiness in Fezziwig’s party and at Fred’s house. We see that Scrooge is tough and unbreakable. For much of the novella the mood is festive and jolly, however Dickens darkens the mood when he wants to emphasis the social responsibility he is trying to put across. 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. When Dickens describes Scrooge's childhood, he uses personification to emphasise how 'merry' the sound of the young boys is by saying 'the crisp air laughed to hear it!'. The narrator, though unnamed, has opinions about Scrooge and his tale. in response to Christmas wishes. The children, ignorance and want personify the problems caused when society neglect the poor. For example 'Oh! [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. Read about our approach to external linking. Emphasize close textual study as a tool to understanding words and phrases. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4. Dickens uses language to draw us into the story. 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. 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). 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 sound of the boys playing and shouting is so delightful that even the 'air' is laughing. '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.'. 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 Novella is split into five 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. 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. Fire and Brightness are used to symbolise emotional warmth throughout the novella. No wind that blew was bitterer than he". (. Dickens's language is highly descriptive and creates a vivid sense of place and setting. that comments on the characters at the same time as telling their story. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3. The simile likens the character to something that the reader can recognise. Many of the author’s word choices relate directly to cold, dismal, miserly traits (tight-fisted, squeezing, wrenching, grasping, steel, bitterer, etc.). What do the other characters in the story seem to think of Scrooge? CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6. Scrooge's determination to disengage with the spirit of Christmas shows him to be bad-tempered. By referring to the chapters as staves Dickens’ suggests that the novella will be a joyous, uplifting and moral tale. ), Evidence and explanation of the language used, Dickens uses a narrative voice that offers opinions on the characters. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. Language Analysis Based on Stave 1 Invite general responses to the novel’s characters and style, including any factors that make the reading a challenging experience. and 'Humbug!' 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. Scrooge famously uses the words 'Bah!' What does A Christmas Carol teach us about life and humanity? A Christmas Carol. Are there people like him in real life today? At the end of the novel the narrator is again light hearted for the happy and uplifting ending. Copyright © 2007 - 2020 Revision World Networks Ltd. Sign in, choose your GCSE subjects and see content that's tailored for you. Onions in the green grocers' shops appear "ruddy, brown-faced, broad-girthed" as they sit "winking from their shelves". CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1. What are your main impressions of Scrooge? 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. Worksheet 1. It also sets up the events that bring about his redemption. The simple words are memorable and show that Scrooge is dismissive about Christmas. The children 'Ignorance' and 'Want' are used to represent all the poor children in society: 'They were a boy and girl.
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