The mood of A Christmas Carol ranges from exuberance and mockery to dread and uncertainty to sap and sentimentality. In simpler terms, the mood changes with each stave. For instance, the first stave is gloomy as it presents scenes of isolation and miserliness. It also has a mood of terror and dread, as Marley's ghost appears in Scrooge's bedroom in Stave 1:
Though he looked the phantom through and through, and saw it standing before him; though he felt the chilling influence of its death-cold eyes; and marked the very texture of the folded kerchief bound about its head and chin, which wrapper he had not observed before: he was still incredulous, and fought against his senses.
The second and third staves have elements of dread, but as more scenes of joy from Scrooge's past appear, the mood briefly shifts to become sentimental and even joyful. When the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge scenes from his boyhood, he briefly recalls the possibilities of freedom presented by childhood; and when the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him a scene of fun family games, he partakes and protests only when the spirit says they must return to his bed-chamber.
Of course, Stave 5 overflows with happiness and humanity. When Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, he immediately declares his newfound good intentions:
“I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.” [...] He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call.
This coldhearted man now "glows" with the spirit of generosity. The ghosts forever changed his stingy ways, and he knows that if he strives to resolve his past wrongs and present relationships, then his future will be bright. The prose becomes energetic and the narrator says words like "good" and "fluttered" and "glowing," all of which create a very positive mood that contrasts sharply with the dark and foreboding first chapters.
The mood of A Christmas Carol ranges from exuberance and mockery to dread and uncertainty to sap and sentimentality. In simpler terms, the mood changes with each stave. For instance, the first stave is gloomy as it presents scenes of isolation and miserliness. It also has a mood of terror and dread, as Marley's ghost appears in Scrooge's bedroom in Stave 1:
Though he looked the phantom through and through, and saw it standing before him; though he felt the chilling influence of its death-cold eyes; and marked the very texture of the folded kerchief bound about its head and chin, which wrapper he had not observed before: he was still incredulous, and fought against his senses.
The second and third staves have elements of dread, but as more scenes of joy from Scrooge's past appear, the mood briefly shifts to become sentimental and even joyful. When the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge scenes from his boyhood, he briefly recalls the possibilities of freedom presented by childhood; and when the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him a scene of fun family games, he partakes and protests only when the spirit says they must return to his bed-chamber.
Of course, Stave 5 overflows with happiness and humanity. When Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, he immediately declares his newfound good intentions:
“I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.” [...] He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call.
This coldhearted man now "glows" with the spirit of generosity. The ghosts forever changed his stingy ways, and he knows that if he strives to resolve his past wrongs and present relationships, then his future will be bright. The prose becomes energetic and the narrator says words like "good" and "fluttered" and "glowing," all of which create a very positive mood that contrasts sharply with the dark and foreboding first chapters.
