A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol: Setting 1 key example

Definition of Setting

Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or it can be an imagined... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the... read full definition
Stave 1
Explanation and Analysis:

A Christmas Carol is set in Victorian-era London. The events of the story take place in Scrooge's home on a bleak and chilly Christmas Eve. Dickens sets the scene in Stave 1:

It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal: and he could hear the people in the court outside go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts, and stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them.  The city clocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already—it had not been light all day: and candles were flaring in the windows of the neighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the palpable brown air. 

Stave 4
Explanation and Analysis:

A Christmas Carol is set in Victorian-era London. The events of the story take place in Scrooge's home on a bleak and chilly Christmas Eve. Dickens sets the scene in Stave 1:

It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal: and he could hear the people in the court outside go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts, and stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them.  The city clocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already—it had not been light all day: and candles were flaring in the windows of the neighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the palpable brown air. 

Unlock with LitCharts A+