Why is there a colon in Marley was dead to begin with?

It lets the reader know that Marley is for sure dead; it lets us know he is dead in the start of the text.

Why is there a colon in this sentence what purpose does it serve?

A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles. Emphasis—Capitalize the first word after the colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. (She had one love: Western Michigan University.)

What type of sentence is Marley was dead to begin with?

This is epitomised in Dickens’ use of direct address and exclamatory sentences. Dickens is therefore setting up the novella as an allegory, using the character of Marley to symbolise that those who are unkind will not be mourned in a sympathetic way.

Why is it so important for Dickens to emphasize Marley’s death in a Christmas carol?

Why is this section important? We need to know that Marley is dead so we believe in his ghost when it appears. Dickens uses the opening line to hint at the supernatural story to come: ‘Marley was dead to begin with’ (p. Dickens uses the weather to set the tone and reflect Scrooge’s state of mind.

Why does the author make such a big deal about Marley being dead?

The narrator makes such a big deal about the fact that Marley is dead because he wants to make sure when Marley’s ghost appears the reader does not think he raised from the dead. The knocker changes by Marley’s face appearing on it when Scrooge gets home.

Why is Scrooge compared to an oyster?

Scrooge is described as being ‘solitary as an oyster’ (p. 2). This simile suggests he is shut up, tightly closed and will not be prised open except by force. However, an oyster might contain a pearl, so it also suggests there might be good buried deep inside him, underneath the hard, brittle shell.

How does Marley was dead to begin with create tension?

“Marley was dead to begin with” The effect of this opening is startling and also shocking. But then dickens puts the reader back into reality “Old Marley was as dead as a doornail”. So this reassures the reader that Marley is dead and also dickens has used a simile with alliteration.

How did Scrooge feel about Marley’s death?

He adds that Scrooge very much knew that Marley was dead, having been his partner and only friend. The narrator describes Scrooge as “Hard and sharp as flint.” His appearance matches his character, with cold-looking, pointy features. He keeps his office cold, not even heating it at Christmas time.

What was Marley as dead as?

Scrooge signed it; and Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Why didn’t Scrooge paint out Marley’s name after he died?

The first clue – how Scrooge never re-painted the sign in the seven years since Jacob Marley died – makes clear that Scrooge was very aware of his business overhead and kept expenses low.

Why does the author use a colon in the first sentence?

After all, the author had assured us in the very first sentence that he was dead as the story opened! Why the colon? Because the sentence is doing two different things. First, it tells us that Marley is dead. Second, it emphasizes that this is the FIRST thing we are to know.

Why does Dickens colonize Marley’s name in this passage?

Dickens wants Marley’s return to be difficult for US to accept, as readers, too. After all, the author had assured us in the very first sentence that he was dead as the story opened! Why the colon? Because the sentence is doing two different things.

What happened to Marley?

Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to.

Was Scrooge cut up by Marley’s funeral?

And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain. The mention of Marley’s funeral brings me back to the point I started from.