Symbolism of Weather and Temperature
Dickens uses weather and temperature as powerful symbols to represent Scrooge's internal state and his journey of redemption in "A Christmas Carol". This technique, known as pathetic fallacy, effectively conveys the character's transformation.
In the opening stave, Dickens creates a cold and gloomy atmosphere:
Quote: "cold, bleak, biting weather"
The author describes fog intruding into people's homes:
Quote: "pouring in at every chink and keyhole"
This hostile environment mirrors Scrooge's initial state of mind and his negative impact on those around him.
Vocabulary: Pathetic fallacy - the attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or nature.
Contrastingly, in the final stave, Dickens presents a dramatically altered environment:
Quote: "no fog, no mist" and "clear, bright, jovial" with "golden sunlight"
This shift in weather symbolizes Scrooge's successful redemption and his newfound warmth towards others.
Dickens further emphasizes this symbolism by directly linking Scrooge's internal state to the external temperature:
Quote: "The cold within him was so powerful it had the ability to freeze his 'old features'"
In the final stave, Scrooge's "glowing" and "fluttered" state of mind is reflected in the bright, clear weather, underscoring the completeness of his redemption.
Highlight: The use of weather and temperature symbolism throughout "A Christmas Carol" provides a vivid representation of Scrooge's journey, reinforcing the theme of redemption and making his transformation tangible to readers.
