Hello viewer 👋
I am Kavita Chauhan, a student of sem 3 M.A. department of English m.k.b.u.
This blog is part of the CLiC Dickens project, a thematic activity included in our Semester 3 syllabus for the Digital Humanities course. Our tasks were distributed based on roll numbers, and as my roll number is 15, I was assigned Activity 12: Character and Structure in A Christmas Carol.
- Assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir.
1. 12. Character and structure in A Christmas Carol:-
By Roll no.15
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a timeless story that delves deep into the themes of transformation, generosity, and redemption. The way Dickens crafts the opening and uses recurring symbols helps set the stage for the entire narrative. Let’s explore how the character and structure of the story are developed through two thematic activities, guided by the CLiC Project from Birmingham University.
Activity 12.1: The Magic of "Once Upon a Time"
The Fairy Tale Beginning
The phrase "once upon a time" is a classic opening for fairy tales, instantly transporting readers to a world of magic and moral lessons. In A Christmas Carol, Dickens uses this phrase two pages into the narrative. After introducing us to the fact that Marley is dead and painting a grim picture of Scrooge, he transitions into the main story with "once upon a time." This phrase doesn’t just begin the story; it gives it a timeless, fairy-tale quality.
Comparing Usage in Different Texts
Using the CLiC Project website, we can compare how "once upon a time" is used in various 19th-century texts:
Children’s Literature (ChiLit): Here, "once upon a time" often starts the story, fitting the traditional fairy tale structure.
General 19th Century Literature (19C) and Other Dickens Novels (DNov): In these texts, the phrase is typically used as a general time reference rather than a story opener.
In A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ strategic placement of "once upon a time" marks the beginning of Scrooge’s supernatural and moral journey, blending everyday life with a fairy-tale essence.
The Door-Knocker Symbolism
An interesting detail in the story is the door-knocker on Scrooge's house. At first, it appears ordinary, but it soon transforms into the face of Marley, Scrooge’s deceased partner. This eerie transformation signals the start of the supernatural events in the story and links the mundane world to the ghostly one, highlighting the story’s theme of change and the past's impact on the present.
Activity 12.2: The Symbolism of Fire
Fire as a Representation of Warmth and Generosity
Fire in A Christmas Carol symbolizes warmth, comfort, and human connection. At the beginning of the story, Scrooge’s fire is described as very small, and his clerk Bob Cratchit's fire is even smaller, almost non-existent. This lack of warmth symbolizes Scrooge’s cold-hearted nature and his lack of generosity.
Exploring Fire in the Text
Using the CLiC Project's concordance search, we can see how "fire" appears
throughout the text:
Big vs. Small Fires: These reflect the levels of warmth and generosity of different characters.
Social vs. Solitary Fires: These contrast Scrooge’s loneliness with the warmth found in the homes of other characters.
For instance, the Cratchit family, despite their poverty, has a modest but cheerful fire that represents their love and warmth for each other. This is in stark contrast to Scrooge’s small and lonely fire, highlighting his isolation and lack of compassion.
Conclusion
By closely examining the opening lines and recurring symbols in A Christmas Carol, we can see how Dickens masterfully sets up his story. The phrase "once upon a time" and the symbolism of fire are not just stylistic choices; they are central to the story's structure and themes. These elements draw readers into a world where transformation is possible, and human connections are highlighted.
Engaging in thematic activities like those from the CLiC Project helps deepen our understanding of literary works. By exploring these elements, we uncover the rich layers of meaning in texts like A Christmas Carol, enhancing our reading experience and appreciation of Dickens’ timeless storytelling.
2. 14. Social protest writing: Hard Times and Oliver Twist :-
By own choice.
Analyzing Social Protest Writing in Dickens’ Hard Times and Oliver Twist
As part of our Digital Humanities course, we are examining social protest writing through Charles Dickens' novels Hard Times and Oliver Twist. This analysis is facilitated by the CLiC Dickens project and focuses on understanding how Dickens portrays social issues through his characters. Below, I detail the process, outcomes, and interpretations of Activities 14.1 and 14.2.
Activity 14.1: Analyzing Mrs. Sparsit in Hard Times
Process
Accessing the Data: I began by using the CLiC Concordance tool available at CLiC.
Running the Search: I searched for the term "Sparsit" in the DNov corpus, since Mrs. Sparsit only appears in Hard Times. This search generated nearly 300 lines.
Filtering Results: I filtered the results to show "Long suspensions" to identify the narratorial descriptions that interrupt Mrs. Sparsit's direct speech.
Outcome
The filtered search provided 23 instances where Mrs. Sparsit’s name appears in long suspensions. These instances include detailed descriptions that interrupt her speech.
Interpretation
The long suspensions around Mrs. Sparsit’s speech offer several insights into her character:
Aristocratic Pretense: The descriptions often highlight her attempts to maintain a haughty and superior demeanor despite her fall from a higher social class. Phrases like "in a very impressive manner" suggest she strives to project an air of dignity.
Manipulative Behavior: Her frequent interruptions of conversations and the detailed descriptions of her body language reveal her manipulative and controlling nature. For example, descriptions of her shaking her head or speaking with an air of superiority indicate her need to assert control and maintain her social status.
These characteristics reflect Mrs. Sparsit’s struggle to uphold her past aristocratic status and her tendency to manipulate others to sustain her sense of superiority.
Activity 14.2: Analyzing Oliver in Oliver Twist
Process
1.Running the Search: I used the CLiC Concordance tool to search for the term "Oliver" in the DNov corpus. Since Oliver Twist is the primary work featuring this character, the search was straightforward.
2.Filtering Results: The search produced over 800 lines. I filtered these results by selecting "Long suspensions" to examine the narratorial descriptions accompanying Oliver’s direct speech
Outcome
The filtered search yielded numerous instances where Oliver’s name appears in long suspensions, providing valuable insights into his character.
Interpretation
The long suspensions related to Oliver reveal several aspects of his character:
Intensity and Vulnerability: The descriptions often focus on Oliver’s intense experiences and physical actions, reflecting his vulnerability and the difficult circumstances he endures Phrases related to coercion and physical struggle highlight his plight.
Innocence vs. Corruption: The contrast between Oliver’s innocence and the corrupt environments he encounters is emphasized through the narratorial descriptions. This contrast highlights the theme of innocence being threatened by societal evils.
By comparing Oliver’s suspensions with those of another character like Bill Sikes, it becomes clear that while Oliver’s descriptions focus on his vulnerability and innocence, Sikes’ descriptions are marked by violence and menace, underscoring the stark differences between these characters.
Conclusion
Activities 14.1 and 14.2 provide a deeper understanding of how Dickens uses characterisation and narrative techniques to critique social issues. In Hard Times, Mrs. Sparsit’s manipulative and pretentious behavior reflects the rigid class structures and moral issues of the time. In Oliver Twist, Oliver’s experiences highlight the social injustices faced by the vulnerable, contrasting sharply with the harshness of characters like Sikes.
These analyses, facilitated by the CLiC Dickens project, illustrate how Dickens’ characters are crafted to reflect and protest against societal problems, enhancing our appreciation of his literary techniques and social commentary.
Thank you for visiting 🙂
Happy Learning ☘️
Reference
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPX3RTQvhY0lYwqN_jpHsmHJYG4mihc3/view?usp=sharing
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