Scrooge

Cruel

'hard and sharp as flint'

Can cause pain to others (arrows), is used to start fires - he has the power to be warm, tough and unbreakable like a stone, links to general theme of Scrooge's coldness but potential for warmth ⭐

'decrease the surplus population'

Views the poor as an economic problem, shows his disconnect and lack of compassion for others

Alone

'as solitary as an oyster'

hard, tough exterior may conceal a inner 'pearl', outer shell prevents relationships from developing, Scrooge is completely isolated from society due to his nature ⭐

'sole friend and sole mourner'

repetition of 'sole' emphasises solitary lifestyles of Scrooge and Marley, reader is led to believe that without Marley, Scrooge wouldn't even have one mourner

'I don't know of anybody to go to it'

Refers to his funeral, he doesn't even have a 'sole mourner'

Changing

Sees Fezziwig, and understands that you can be kind and a good businessman

Miserly

'a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner'

'a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone'

Cold

'a frosty rime was on his head'

'the cold within him froze his old features'

'no warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him'

Cold imagery reflects cold-hearted nature and attitude, weather is a metaphor for his behaviour

'Tell me if Tiny
Tim will live' ⭐

Begins to care about other people, and the poor, even becomes a 'second father' to Tiny Tim, in contrast to 'previous surplus population' quote

'If you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it'

Recognises fault in himself, and wants to change, sees that personal growth is more important than monetary gain, changes from fearful to accepting

Sees him being joyful and optimistic even though he is crippled and poor - life is more than business and money

Role

Represents rich Victorians who disregarded the poor

Teaches that money doesn't buy happiness

He embodies all that dampens Christmas spirit - greed, selfishness, indifference, disregard of others

'I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk now'

'begged like a boy to stay'

Seeing the happiness of others (Fred) allows him to reconnect with the love he experienced, expresses hope that he can change, shows vulnerability

'I am light as a feather...merry as a school-boy'

Shows new appreciation for life, links to burden of previous attitude, 'carried his low temperature' quote

'carried his own low temperature always about with him'

His miserable attitude is a burden, happiness and love sets him free - 'light as a feather' quote ⭐

'Piercing, searching, biting cold' vs. 'golden sunlight' ⭐

Pathetic fallacy, weather represents change, temperament reflects temperature. Cold personified, an evil monster spreading misery, but golden light is almost biblical - links to religious themes

'unusual catching in his voice'

Reconnecting with past brings back emotions he hasn't felt in a long time, coldness begins to thaw, reflected in a physical change - 'trembling'

'a solitary child, neglected by his friends'

Been alone all his life, poor relationship with friends and family shaped who he became