It is now that not only his emotions change but also his language as the previously echoed “humbug” is replaced by “Good heavens”. Soon we see excitement bursting from within Scrooge followed quickly by regret as he explains to the ghost that “there was a poor boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should have liked to give him some money”. This is the first time we see Scrooge admitting to mistake and not adopting his stingy ways with money as he wishes to be charitable. As the journey of Christmas past progresses his language begins to soften evermore when he exclaims “Why, it’s old Fezziwig!

Bless his heart;” However Scrooges vision of his old boss brings more disgrace than happiness as the author juxtaposes Scrooges actions with that of his old boss who gives a warm atmosphere at work an thus Scrooge told the ghost “I should like to say a word or two to my clerks just now”. So again once Scrooge had admitted his regret the spirit took him further along his lifeline. The reader soon learns the tale of Scrooges old girlfriend in which we see that it is with age that he grew bitter and money orientated.

The young girl exclaims that their “contract” meaning love “is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content to be so”, But with his wealth he has “changed” and she tells him ‘When it was made, you were another man”. This accurately draws upon the subject of Scrooge and money, which is a key factor in the novel and especially in illustrating the change in which he embarks on. As the Ghost of Christmas Present arrives, Scrooges appears to be much more willing to undertake the journey as “He obeyed” which is in a vast contrast to the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past.

In this journey there is a much more light-hearted atmosphere as it is described that “people made a rough, but brisk and not unpleasant kind of music”. The ghost was described as a “jolly giant” perhaps implying that his features were such of Santa Claus. As Scrooge was instructed to hold his robe he “held it fast” which again shows Scrooge changing as he becomes more willing to open up to others. The spirit takes Scrooge to the poor and underprivileged household of Bob Cratchit but he is astonished to see that despite their extreme lack of wealth their happiness thrives as Tiny Tim exclaims “God Bless us all”.

As Scrooge observes the family he begins to feel worried for the boys health “Oh, no, kind spirit! Say he will be spared” to which the spirit replied “if he be liked to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”. In this case the spirit is gently mocking him whilst reminding Scrooge of what he had previously said. This had a powerful effect on both Scrooge and the reader as it reiterates Scrooges previous character whilst outlining the change that he has undergone to the reader.

Then the scene changes to the house of Scrooges Nephew in which they’re playing games that Scrooge happily participate in despite not being seen by them. This conveys effectively the changed Scrooge has taken in contrast to his rather cold rejection of Fred’s Christmas invitation. He was described as a “savage animal” in a latter game despite this they still toasted to his health and good fortune. This deeply touched Scrooge emotionally as he was described as being “gay and light of heart”. Following this the spirit took Scrooge away and he cam across two poor and seemingly homeless children.

Having seen this Scrooge cried “Have they no refuge or resource? To which the spirit replied with a reiteration of one of Scrooges earlier quotes “Are there no prisons? ” which again has the effect of clearly illustrating the change in Scrooges personality. As the third and final spirit arrives, the ghost of Christmas yet to come, we see Scrooges lexis and general appearance take a very different light as he is taken into the near future by a typically Dickensian Grim Reaper with “one outstretched arm” and a “deep black garment”.

Scrooge witnesses a conversation between three men in which they discus his death. The general mood of the conversation is ironically lighthearted and almost celebratory as one man exclaimed “I thought he’d never die”, and quickly we learn that no one will attend this mans funeral, “For upon my life I don’t know anybody to go to it”. We shortly learn that this man is Scrooge. Dickens intelligently juxtaposes this with the mourning of Tiny Tim to emphasize the fact that Scrooge will not be missed by anyone unless he unlocks the “heavy chains” of “old Marley”.

As Scrooge stares down at his grave “overrun by grass and weeds” he exclaimed “No, spirit! Oh, no, no! ” which for the reader is the first time we see Scrooge begging for life. Then Scrooge cried, “I am not the man I was”. This clever use of speech gives full confirmation of Scrooges change, as even he will admit it. Then Scrooge promises to “honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year” which is shortly put in to practice in stave five. The final chapter invites the reader into Christmas morning.

The atmosphere, tone, and language has adjusted to a more positive outlook with Scrooge “laughing” and wishing “A merry Christmas to everybody” which indeed illustrates a large transformation on Scrooges behalf as for at the begging he refused to utter that phrase and chose a harsher “Good afternoon”. Scrooge’s language has also become more holy with words such as “glorius” and “heavenly” which would have been very apparent for his contemporary audience. His selfishness has also “melted” as his generosity is evident as he buys the prize turkey and whispers “I’ll send it to Bob Cratchit’s!

” Soon Scrooge passes the portly gentleman who he had dismissed the previous day. Charity is use as a recurring theme by Dickens to show the transition that Scrooge has gone through. Scrooge had rejected the portly gentleman and the carolers originally but soon regrets this and at the end of the Novella puts his actions right by donating a large sum of money. Despite Scrooges lexis changing the use of pathetic fallacy is apparent, as there is “No fog, no mist and Golden sunlight”.

It is not only evident to the reader that a change has undergone in Scrooge by his actions but also from the reactions by those around him as in the case of the portly gentleman who is astonished by Scrooges Generosity and so exclaimed “My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious? ” It is also soon that we learn Scrooge has become a second father to Tiny Tim. In conclusion Dickens uses many literary techniques, styles, and sophisticated vocabulary to illustrate fully and effectively the transition that Scrooge has undergone and the new lifestyle that he has adopted.

The use of comparison from Scrooges previous self to his changed self is also a sharp and efficient way of showing us this change and is a key part of his writing. Dickens also incorporates deeply gripping qualities into the Novella such as humour and takes us on a journey into the lives of those in the Victorian era. Luke Corrigan Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE A Christmas Carol section.