The image of a poor girl
Effie watches through the window a poor girl playing in rain. "This girl out here has a basket of scraps on her arm, and a big old shawl all round her, and doesn't seem to care a bit, though the water runs out of the toes of her boots. She goes paddling along, laughing at the rain, and eating a cold potato as if it tasted nicer than the chicken and ice-cream I had for dinner. Yes, I do think poor children are happier than rich ones." This image provokes sadness, and no envy, and Effie is about to find it out. Such thoughts prove that Effie has some hollowness inside her, but this emptiness will soon be filled.
The image of Effie reading
“Wandering off to the library, Effie found "A Christmas Carol," and curling herself up in the sofa corner, read it all before tea. Some of it she did not understand; but she laughed and cried over many parts of the charming story, and felt better without knowing why.” The image of Effie reading provokes a feeling of coziness and warmth. This girl, with such a great heart, cannot find her purpose yet, but with the help of her mother she will. But here also a great impact of great literature is shown; Dickens’s story can have many interpretations, but still it remains a story that can stir one’s heart.
A spirit of Christmas appearing to Effie
In her dream Effie dreamt a wonderful vision of a child visiting her. “A child's voice sang, a child's hand carried the little candle; and in the circle of soft light it shed, Effie saw a pretty child coming to her through the night and snow. A rosy, smiling creature, wrapped in white fur, with a wreath of green and scarlet holly on its shining hair, the magic candle in one hand.” The image adds an atmosphere of magic and warm kindness to the story. This dream is an embodiment of Effie’s hidden desire – to do good.
