A Christmas Carol And The Old Nurse's Story Analysis

Music is played in both “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, and in “The Old Nurse’s Story” by Elizabeth Gaskell, as a consequence of the presence of ghosts. The music insinuates that both Ebenezer Scrooge and Miss Furnivall have problems with giving compassion and valuing family. Scrooge prefers to remain alone and to horde his money, while Miss Furnivall fought with her sister, and did not value their connection as sisters. Music comes to symbolize these characters problems in several ways. In “A Christmas Carol,” harp and violin music is used to symbolize family togetherness and compassion, which Scrooge takes no part in. In “The Old Nurse’s Story,” organ music symbolizes the rift the foreigner created between the sisters, and the old

In both texts the music is derived from supernatural means, and indicates that the characters Ebenezer Scrooge and Miss Furnivall have problems with these values. Scrooge is a solitary figure that abhors charity and spending time with family. While Miss Furnivall allowed jealousy to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she shows no compassion when she takes revenge against her sister. In both stories music comes to symbolize the lack of compassion and family togetherness the character exhibit. In “A Christmas Carol,” harp and violin music is used, and connects to the scenes Scrooge witnesses of Mr Fezziwig and his nephew’s family. Likewise in “The Old Nurse’s Story,” organ music is used, and connects to the rift the foreigner created between the sisters, and the old lord’s rage. Although both characters are able to change by the end of their respective texts, only Scrooge is able to change with the aid of music. Music is unable to help Miss Furnivall correct her mistakes because she could not hear the organ music being played. However Miss Furnivall is added by sound, which ultimately suggests that sense of hearing is important, because it allowed both characters to empathize with others and grow as human