Dickens constructs the character Scrooge as being 'as solitary as an oyster' suggesting through his use of sibilance that not only is he 'solitary' and 'self-contained' but that he's been acting in this manner for a long duration. Later on in the novella, this use of sibilance is reinforced again when the simile 'as solitary as an oyster' is repeated to describe Scrooge as a child. This indicates that scrooge has been lonely and isolated since a child and carried this trait through all of his adult years that was revealed to be a result of not fitting in with children his own age when he was younger and bullying. Furthermore, the noun 'oyster' can be seen as representing Scrooges hard exterior and the potential pearl inside could be foreshadowing his redemption and metamorphosis into a morally better person and a better Christian. The pearl could also represent how inside Scrooge could be a good person and maybe once was. Dickens used the character of Scrooge to show the Victorian readers that anyone is capable of change and to urge people to change their attitudes towards the poor. This could also be portrayed as telling the readers that everyone has the ability to change within them and has goodness as well. His personal beliefs of giving to the poor and helping them contrary to popular beliefs at the time such as the Malthusian theory can be seen in Scrooges change in attitude towards the end of the novella. During the first stave of the novella, Dickens details Scrooge as being a 'covetous old sinner' suggesting he is stuck in his ways. The contrasting use of his 'old' age and the adjective 'sinner' indicates that he's uncapable of redeeming himself. The phrase 'covetous old sinner' is 3 of the 7 adjectives which could be linked to the 7 deadly sins, but also, these adjectives were said in the third person so they reflect how Scrooge is perceived by others. In addition, the word 'covetous' can also be linked to greed. Later on in the novella Scrooge describes himself as 'not [being] the man [he] once was' showing this change he's undergone throughout the novella and the lessons he has learned. Scrooge has changed from a greedy old man to a role model to anyone else in the same previous situation as him. Dickens use of religious imagery would resonate with the Victorian readers as England was very religious at the time and a majority Christian society. This could be seen as Dickens' way of persuading the audience and urging them to help impoverished people as it would scare the readers into being morally better people and tackling poverty. By using Scrooge as this embodiment of redemption it can also be seen to give people self-hope.