Dickens' Use of Symbolism in A Christmas Carol

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Dickens' Use of Symbolism in A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens wrote a large number of novels but this particular

novella was very popular as it told the story of a typical Christmas

in Victorian times. The word 'Scrooge' derives from the character

Scrooge in this novella, which proves that Dickens' story really did

make an impact on the reading public. In 'A Christmas Carol' there are

three main themes that would have been influenced by the times when

Dickens was writing, the themes are: Poverty, ignorance and happiness

(Christmas spirit). In the following paragraphs I am going to study

the themes and see what symbolism is used.

I am going to write about the symbols as I go through the novella. The

counting house is an example as it symbolises slave labour with its

dreadful conditions. Also this is where we first learn how mean

Scrooge is when two charity workers come into the counting house

asking for money, but Scrooge refuses to give the gentlemen anything,

saying that he helps the poor already through supporting prisons and

workhouses. This symbolises ignorance, as Scrooge does not even want

to listen to what the men have to say. We also learn that one of

Scrooges' friends' Jacob Marley had died seven years ago on Christmas

Day, but when reading it this doesn't sound too important. In this

chapter Scrooge's nephew Fred comes to visit him and invites him to

eat at his house for Christmas, which we later find out, is an

important part of the novel. Bob Cratchit (a poor clerk working for

Scrooge) asks for Christmas Day off, which Scrooge allows but tells

Bob that he has to be in early on Boxing day. This is another symbol

of...

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...ensely. When Bob Cratchit turned up for work on

Boxing Day Scrooge tells him that he will "not stand for this any

longer" and tells him that he needs a pay rise. This is obviously a

joke as Scrooge is overwhelmed with happiness and can't help, but give

Bob a pay rise but makes it look like he is extremely angry with him.

In conclusion I have to say that each stave has its own particular

symbol and this helps to contribute to the themes. This book would

reflect on Dickens own life as he spent a lot of his time surrounded

by poor people and shows that Dickens thought that poor people should

be treated a lot better. In my opinion the main theme of this novella

is that you should not take for granted what you have, because there

are people like the Cratchits living in poor conditions who are much

worse off then yourself.

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