Dickens spends several paragraphs establishing how rational and intelligent Scrooge is, as if to tell the reader "This here is no simple-minded fool. He would not usually believe in something so silly as ghosts. Alas, he has considered all other options, including food-poisoning..."
It's so good! The first few pages did a great job establishing what an utter miser & unpleasant jerk Scrooge is, but then we get:
"There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"
(which is just a delightful pun) and some self-reflection on how he's using humor to keep from being terrified out of his mind, and suddenly I find myself feeling some empathy with the guy.
Rizzo the Rat: Wow, that was pretty scary. Should we be worried about the little kids in the audience?
Gonzo Dickens: No, it's fine. This is culture.
The dragging chains coming closer and closer-- thank goodness I'm reading this in broad daylight.
Dickens spends several paragraphs establishing how rational and intelligent Scrooge is, as if to tell the reader "This here is no simple-minded fool. He would not usually believe in something so silly as ghosts. Alas, he has considered all other options, including food-poisoning..."
Gotta love that brilliant characterisation.
It's so good! The first few pages did a great job establishing what an utter miser & unpleasant jerk Scrooge is, but then we get:
"There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"
(which is just a delightful pun) and some self-reflection on how he's using humor to keep from being terrified out of his mind, and suddenly I find myself feeling some empathy with the guy.
Such a creepy introduction, especially when Marley just... Sits down like "So." So cool