Which two elements does this excerpt from a christmas carol by charles dickens contain?

"a small matter," said the ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude."

"small! " echoed scrooge.

the spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of fezziwig: and when he had done so, said,

"why! is it not? he has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. is that so much that he deserves this praise? "

"it isn’t that," said scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. "it isn't that, spirit. he has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then? the happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune."

he felt the spirit's glance, and stopped.

"what is the matter? " asked the ghost.

"nothing particular," said scrooge.

"something, i think? " the ghost insisted.

"no," said scrooge, "no. i should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. that's all."

1. developing characterization
2. highlighting setting
3. establishing tone
4. building theme
5. creating humor

It isn't the setting. From this quotation, we hardly know where we are other than listening to two employees talking about their boss.

It isn't creating humor. A Christmas Carol contains very little humor, and that which it does is mostly in the Alistair Sim movie at the end. I think you can find that on  U tube and if you can, be sure and watch it. You can't study Scrooge and not know about the 1951 production.

One of your choices has to be about theme. This is the story of redemention of what was a very fine young man to a crotchety somewhat ugly old man. But the spirits saw something in him and decided to revamp that good young man.

Having said that, I think you are developing tone or dealing with characterization.  It's very hard to pick. Those two are so intertwined you don't know which one to pick.

Answer

Building Theme. Scrooge is almost entirely about theme.

Developing Character: Scrooge, by the end of this is saying that he would like to have a word with his Clerk. He's learned something!!!

Note

Don't be surprised if it is tone. There is plenty of that going on in a Christmas Carol as well. The point though is that we are looking at the Transformation of Scrooge.

there on the beach was a struggling turtle.   around its bright green neck was a loop of soda can rings.   in order to the planet, i have made a few changes to my life.   the first change is reducing the number of straws used. the second change was to recycle.   finally, i have worked hard to clean up litter.   it is important to clean our ocean.

you may not think straws have a large impact but they do.   imagine for every straw you sip out of a poor, , adorable turtle is being harmed.   one way i chipped in to is by using metal straws.   these straws are reusable and inexpensive.   another change is simply turning down straws.   by refusing a straw, i’m the turtles one drink at a time.  

however, the ocean just doesn't have turtles.   there are lots of creatures that live there and are harmed by all the litter.   to prevent litter from growing it’s important to recycle.   for me, i have started to buy most goods that are made out of recycled material.   pura vidas, chacos, purses, and too many other items to even count.   plus, when you buy those products they give money to charities.   not only am i the environment, but i’m also feeling better about my self.   finally, i have worked hard to clean up litter.   it is important to clean our ocean.

explanation: