Writing Novels Made Charles Dickens Famous, The Novel Christmas Carol Is One Of Them.

Chapter one is a very important part of the novel as it introduces us to the main characters whom appear in the novel, the key one being Scrooge. Very early on in the chapter we find that Scrooge is a very anti-social man as he answers to both his and his dead partners name, because it was all the same to him. This tells us that Scrooge does not want to meet people and get to know them. One of the first things written about Scrooge is the description of his physical appearance. Dickens uses many descriptive techniques in the play such as similes, adjectives, and metaphors. Dickens says that Scrooge, 'was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone', he then lists descriptive words such as 'wrenching', 'clutching', and 'covetous old sinner'. This surprises the reader as it shows how Scrooge actually is, and shows all the different ways by which he can be described. Dickens then gives a very effective simile, 'hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out a generous fire', this is so effective as it shows the reader how greedy and uncharitable Scrooge actually is. We then learn that Scrooge is a 'self-contained' and 'solitary' man, which tells us that Scrooge is very anti-social who does not want to know or meet people. We then receive a very imaginative description of what Scrooge looks like. Dickens say that, 'the cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait, made his eyes red, his thin lips blue, and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice'. This description provides an early atmosphere due to all the references of cold and winter, and describes Scrooge as corpse-like. 'He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog days and did not thaw it one degree at Christmas'. This again shows us that Scrooge is very uncharitable and again compares him to the cold. These early descriptions in the play give the reader expectations about Scrooge before he has even spoken. It makes the reader realise how greedy and anti-social Scrooge is.

From Writing Novels Charles Dickens Evolved Into Political Writing.

When Scrooge's nephew appears in the novel we see Scrooge's attitudes in action. His nephew's first words are, 'Merry Christmas uncle, God save you!' Already we see a contrast in characters as his nephew is cheerful and seems warm. Immediately after though, Scrooge reminds the reader of his bitter personality when he says, 'Bah ! Humbug!' The contrast in characters is then present again when it describes Scrooge's nephew, 'he was all aglow; his face was ruddy and handsome, his eyes sparkled and his breath smoked again'. Scrooge's nephew is a foil in the novel that exploits the difference in character and warms up the story.' What reason have you to be merry? You are poor enough', this once again shows that all Scrooge cares about is money and wealth. His nephew then says, "What reason have you to be morose? You are rich enough', again showing the contrasting characteristics and using his own logic against him. The reader views Scrooge's ignorance and anti-social behaviour when he dismisses his nephew. The nephew is wishing Scrooge a Merry Christmas and inviting him to his home, but Scrooge keeps interrupting his nephew with the words, 'Good afternoon.' Overall Scrooge's nephew represents the true sprit and meaning of Christmas and he is a symbolic character. His attitudes and actions show an excellent contrast to Scrooge; this ties in with the allegorical nature of the novel.

Writing Novels: Dickens Used Many Descriptive Techniques Such As Similes and Metaphors.

The Art of Writing Novels Became Second Nature For Charles Dickens.

From Writing Novels Charles Dickens Evolved Into Political Writing.