Hyperbole is a literary term to describe the use of exaggerated or over-embellished language by a writer. In A Christmas Carol, we see many instances of hyperbole in Dickens' writing as he seeks to create a strong impression on the reader.
Looking at stave one, for example, Dickens uses hyperbole when he describes the physical appearance of Scrooge:
"The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his...
Hyperbole is a literary term to describe the use of exaggerated or over-embellished language by a writer. In A Christmas Carol, we see many instances of hyperbole in Dickens' writing as he seeks to create a strong impression on the reader.
Looking at stave one, for example, Dickens uses hyperbole when he describes the physical appearance of Scrooge:
"The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice."
Of course, Scrooge doesn't really have cold inside him that has affected his features. This is a deliberate exaggeration which is used to emphasise Dickens' point that Scrooge is a cold-hearted and mean person.
Similarly, Dickens also uses hyperbole to describe particular locations in A Christmas Carol. We see this, for instance, in the neighbourhood surrounding Old Joe's shop, in stave four:
"Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the straggling streets; and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery."
Crime doesn't really have a smell but this exaggerated description goes a long way in building an atmosphere. By using this embellished language, Dickens is engaging the reader's senses and creating an image which is so strong that it is virtually tangible.
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