A Christmas Carol

Author's Note: The passage I have chosen to asses for purpose, meaning, and tone is the following: The spirit, for which he stood, with Scrooge beside him, in a bakers doorway, and, taking off the covers as their bearers passed, sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch. And it was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice when there were angry words between some dinner carriers who had jostled each other, he shed a few drops of water on them from it, and their good humor was restored directly . For they said it was a shame to quarrel upon Christmas Day. And so it was! God love it, so it was.

Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol

Page 58

The passage in Stave Three shows the spirit of Christmas Present's interest in the quarrels of neighbors and families on Christmas day. When an unfortunate battle begins over dinner, gifts, or each others presence, he simply sprinkles the incense of his torch on their doorway, and their Christmas Spirit gets the best of them, as they return to their jolly selves. Its purpose shows what the effects of Christmas day can do to an unhappy family. Whether the spirit is even needed or not could be argued, it’s the time of the year that really cheers families up. The tone of this passage is suggestive. It provides an example of what a perfect Christmas could be, and the steps you could follow in order to have one.

Character

Author's Note: This piece talks about how the main character of Fahrenheit 451 struggles to realize the truth. Once he figures it out, he struggles again to share the truth with his fellow firefighters. He has a power he is unaware of. I also compare him to the maids of The Help.

To have an opinion that could lead the way to a better world, is like being trapped on a mountain with no way down. Sharing the opinion would be to roll down the mountain, dealing with the bumps and rocks on the way down. But to hold back, is to stay at the top of the mountain wondering what would happen if you were to plummet to the bottom. Would you escape? Would you die trying? Speaking out is a risk not many people are willing to take.

Guy Montag, from Fahrenheit 451 is faced with a problem very similar. I believe he will prove to be a dynamic character throughout the book when he realizes that the worlds fate depends not only on his actions, but also on his voice. What he does and what he says, influence other to believe what he does. He might actually get enough people to make a change. He has influenced his neighbor and firechief that the world has other possibilities. Similar to the maids of The Help, Guy does not believe that he has the right to speak up. Unless he bundles up his courage and speaks out to his community, the maids will be waiting for him at the top of the mountain, where he will stay until he takes a tumble and plunges to the bottom.

Point of View

Author's Note: In this piece I am practicing putting myself in a minor character's point of view. In my book The Help I am Skeeter's Mother during her last days.

Dear Lord,

Everyday I worry about my daughter Skeeter. As she poorly dresses herself in the morning, I worry about her finding a husband. As she slowly picks at her lunch, I worry about her health. As she sneaks off to her room to do who-knows-what, I worry about her social life. I know that worrying shreds my hair and paints my skin pale, but she means the world to me and I am willing to risk even my appearance for her. If only I could take her shopping like I used to. Just to pick out a pretty outfit, to do her hair, and to send her off to a party of some sort would satisfy me. These days she hides up to her room during the day and attends bible study group all night. She's so good, so pure; yet, so secretive and unsteady. Is she seeing a man, simply scared for my approval? Is she--dare I say it--seeing a woman? With out her trust I may never know.

The part of my worrying that sends me to laughing fits, is that she worries about me! My cancer only permits me a few months left, I know. But Skeeter has so much more to worry about than her elderly mother! With the pain I receive stepping out of bed each morning I can only hope to see her someday walk down the aisle in a white wedding dress being wed to the perfect man. If I don't live that long, than Lord, please let her know that I am still with her, critcizing her every move. If in heaven I still am not able to do so, then I beg you to take the task upon yourself. My daugher truly means much to me and without her, I am not worthy of living.

In the name of the Father,

The Son,

And the Holy Spirit,

Amen.