Yes, there is likely a significance here. Dickens, like most authors, tended to be intentional with character naming. Note the alliteration used in Tiny Tim's name, and in the harsh sound of Scrooge's moniker (consistent with his harsh and unforgiving personality). Note as well how Fezziwig is far less harsh-sounding than either Ebenezer or Scrooge, differentiating them from each other.
The word "belle" means beautiful in French. True to form, Belle is described as quite a beautiful woman, both in her past and present versions. Similarly, the "belle of the ball" is a phrase used to describe the person in the room around whom all the men gravitate. This phrase plays into the scene in which Scrooge and Belle are dancing at the party, she is quite literally the "belle of the ball." Belle is both beautiful and a person around whom the others gravitate.
No comments:
Post a Comment