“A merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you!”
This quotation shows that Scrooge is still classed as a family member and this is the first time Scrooge is named something different. His nephew obviously cares a lot for Scrooge and believes that he’s a good man, no matter what his attitudes like. Here we see two different personalities and the relationship his nephew wants with his uncle. His nephew is powerful with his words, cheerful and good humoured.
Dickens isn’t anti business and shows two views about business. This novella tells us as the reader that you should balance out having a business and a life. Your life shouldn’t be revolved around work because you have to enjoy yourself and make the most of your life. Scrooge on the other hand is dominated by business and doesn’t believe in having a day off but to work continuously. An example of this may be where Dickens describes that Scrooge is working on the day of Marley’s funeral.
“…he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral…”
This quotation shows clearly that Scrooge is dominated by his business and not much else matters. When the day is finally over, he goes back to his house, and tries to go to sleep. As he locks the door, he sees an apparition. There is Jacob Marley’s ghost – looking right at him! Scrooge is shocked at first, and still is shocked when Marley’s phantom tells him some surprising news. The ghost explains that there will be three other ghosts yet to come, to which he then leaves. Marley like Scrooge was also dominated by money and business. He comes back to warn Scrooge that he should change his ways for the better. Marley now in his afterlife has to carry a heavy load of chains that he forged for himself in life. It is made up of,
“… Cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses wrought in steel.”
This point is also related as a Christian message saying whatever you do badly whilst on earth you pay for in your afterlife.
Marley’s ghost has risen after seven years of being dead. He comes back to warn Scrooge that he has to change his life as he has the chance to. Marley used to be like Scrooge and had his mind set on business.
“I wear the chain I forged in life…”
He has a lot of weight to carry which is his punishment for how he treated people when he was alive. The message put across to the audience is that Scrooge could end up in this way. Marley also had his mind set on money. Ebenezer Scrooge is almost a clone of Marley however Marley now wants to do something good and wants Scrooge to change his views.
Mr Fezziwig on the other hand is a good man of business. He balances out both work and leisure. He portrays an image that he lives life to the fullest rather than counting the entire penny’s brought in by his business. This I believe sets a good example to all those businessmen who don’t care much for anyone else but themselves.
Scrooge used to work for Mr. Fezziwig but eventually greed took over and he became a partner with Marley and his business. Scrooge was a good worker/person when he was working as an apprentice for Fezziwig but greed took over and he wanted more power and more money. Marley had changed Scrooge into a greedy, money grabbing man. Marley was whom Scrooge wanted to be like everyone to do as he wanted and all the money rolling in. Marley believes it was his fault how Scrooge had now become, he came back to haunt Scrooge and give him his message as it was important to do so.
“I am here tonight to warn…”
Both Scrooge and Marley show a business where a lot of profit is made. Their business is set up in the higher class society of London where poverty isn’t shown. However Charles Dickens also describes other locations within London where poverty is a concern. Another business named the “Rag and Bone Shop is described, a seventy two year old man owns the shop and sells stolen goods. Scrooge is shown this by one of the three spirits to show Scrooge exactly what kind of environment this is. The Rag and Bone shop shows a sign of poverty and shows Scrooge what some people have to do to get the littlest amount of money in their pockets. The Rag and Bone shop really does live up to its name; they steal things from homes and dead people. They take bones off bodies and recycle them.
“You don’t mean to say you took’ em down, rings and all, with him lying there?”
This for the Rag and Bone shop is a fortune because so much was stolen, and more money would be collected. People would come and give things to the shop and he’d write their account on the wall. This is an example of showing just how much they are suffering due to the lack of money seen as he had no where else to write on.
The three spirits that Scrooge is visited by show him his past, present and future. The ghost of the past shows Scrooge how he used to be. Scrooge discovers that his life was somewhat pleasant but still lonely. The ghost of the present reveals to Scrooge his more recent attitude toward Christmas. It shows Scrooge the consequences of his actions, most of which are to Scrooges dislike. The ghost also shows Scrooge how other people are celebrating and what a joyous event it is. Dancing, blind mans bluff and carolling aren’t part of Scrooge’s world for certain. The ghost of future shows the time when Scrooge is dead and no one cares about him. Meanwhile Scrooge sobs and is deeply upset about what he has seen.
The first of the three spirits revisits the scenes of Scrooges earlier life. We see Scrooge when he was a schoolboy at boarding school. On the first of two occasions of seeing him there he is sat alone in a cold schoolroom reading a book whilst everyone else is outside playing and having fun.
“The school is not quite deserted…A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.”
When the ghost takes Scrooge where Scrooge was brought up he becomes merry and his cold eye glistens. As Scrooge sees himself neglected by his friends he
“…sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be.”
Scrooge looks about and feels upset about how he was as a small boy.
“I wish, Scrooge muttered…”
By Scrooge seeing his past it makes him feel different and he wishes that he gave the boy who came carol singing to his door the day before. The spirit becomes happy with this because he is beginning to change the way Scrooge feels.
Now on the second occasion that the spirit visits the school is at Scrooges boarding school. We see a girl much younger than Scrooge who we get told is his sister has come to take him home.
“Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home’s like heaven!”
We learn that his father (who seems to once have been unkind) become much kinder and better than he used to be. The ghost notes that (unlike Scrooge so far) his sister, Fan had a large heart. Fred, Scrooges nephew is Fan’s son, however she has now died. The quotation that Scrooge’s father is kind now shows that people can change and change for the better. I believe that Scrooge partly went on to his father for the simple reason that he isn’t a kind person.
Once the ghost has shown Scrooge his childhood times he already makes a change in the way Scrooge feels. Next we see Scrooge as Mr. Fezziwig’s apprentice. It is Christmas Eve and both Scrooge and the other apprentice Dick Wilkins are told to get the warehouse ready for a party. Everyone is welcome at Fezziwig’s ball, and the young Scrooge enjoys it immensely. The warehouse was a snug and warm, bright ball room. Mr Fezziwig had done something special for everyone. Cost wasn’t an issue where Fezziwig is concerned because he can afford it just as Scrooge and Marley could. This is a prime example of what a difference there is in comparison to Scrooge and Fezziwig. They are both businessman but choose to spend their time and money differently. But as Charles Dickens clearly shows Fezziwig does the right thing by making everyone else happy too. The party gives the reader an image of great get together where everyone is having a lot of fun. The warmth of the party is reflected by how much Dickens describes the friendly and joyous atmosphere.
The final scenes that the ghost of Christmas past shows us is Scrooges ex fiancé. He shows us how they both met. Scrooge’s fear, when he was younger, of being poor has now become an unreasonable love of money. Scrooge gets annoyed by what he sees and,
“Spirit... show me no more!”
Scrooge is very much affected by what he sees and shows the audience that he still has feelings for his ex fiancé. Belle (ex fiancé) releases Scrooge from his engagement because she can see that he no longer loves her. He doesn’t ask her to break the engagement but, doesn’t refuse neither. Another scene that we see with Belle in is some years later. She sits wither daughter and the spirit shows she ahs other children too. Scrooge sees all of her family including her husband who says he saw scrooge in his office whilst his partner, Marley was “Upon the point of death.” When scrooge looks at her life he contrasts it with his and feels that Belles husband is much richer than Scrooge but not financially. Scrooge thinks of how good it would be to be in a family like Belle’s. Money can’t buy the love that Scrooge wants and needs.
The ghost of Christmas past creates a great impact on Scrooges view of life and changes how he feels. He feels as if something is missing in his life. The way in which Dickens gradually changes Scrooges feelings is quite incredible and he creates a great atmosphere.
Next Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Christmas present. This ghost is described as a great, green, giant. He wears a robe and has fur outlining it. Dickens presents him as a version of our Father Christmas except he’s in green. Scrooge is taken yet again on another journey by a spirit in order to make him change his ways. The spirit doesn’t say anything to Scrooge but lets him see for himself how people are and how they are coping without Scrooge changing. Firstly the spirit shows him how Christmas is celebrated by his clerk’s family (Bob Cratchitt). Here Dickens describes in great detail what they are doing and who each of the family member is. Mrs. Cratchitt is making the dinner and the rest of the family get ready to eat around the table. Scrooge watches closely at what he sees in front of him and sees how poor they really are. Bob Cratchitt provides for a big family and shares a lot of love. As Scrooge closely admires he sees Tiny Tim, Bob’s youngest son sit beside him. Scrooge gets a strong feeling that Bob wants him by his side forever but knows he won’t be there for long.
“Spirit… tell me if Tiny Tim will live”
From this quotation we see for the first time that Scrooge cares for Tiny Tim and feels for Bob Cratchitt. Gradually Scrooge is beginning to change and by the spirit showing him things helps him recognise what’s going on behind closed doors.
“If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die.”
The spirit replies to Scrooges question and as Dickens describes Scrooge becomes upset and frustrated and wants Tiny Tim to survive. This seems to be a very positive scene as Scrooges views aren’t only about himself it appears that he cares for the well being of Bob Cratchitt and his family.
“If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Scrooge is overcome by hearing his own words quoted by the spirit and feels bad by what he said. Here also we see that gradually he’s becoming a new man. However in relation to the quotation Scrooge earlier on in the story was visited by two businessmen asking for a donation for charity for the likes of Tiny Tim. Scrooge refused and told them that he paid enough for prisons and hostels. Once Scrooge is shown the Cratchitt’s household, magically the spirit shows Scrooge places outside of London and shows him how they celebrate Christmas even without much money. He is shown a family of miners in a hut on a barren moor, two lighthouse keepers and sailors on a ship. Each of them celebrates Christmas as they know it’s an occasion to have a joyous and memorable time. The last place Scrooge visits is his nephews (Fred). Fred is having a party and Scrooge is able to see and hear it. Scrooge found it a great surprise when he heard the laughter from his nephew; he looked on to see what he was going to see next. At the party they talk about Scrooge and how he being wealthy is of no use of him. He never spends it or makes himself comfortable with it. Everyone at Fred’s party play a game where you have to answer either yes or no. Someone thinks of something and everyone else asks questions to try and guess what it is. Fred thought up something and began laughing when each question was asked.
“…he was thinking of an animal, a live animal.”
Fred’s wife’s sister guessed the mystery thing was Scrooge. This showed a lot of laughter within the family and showed that he was spoken of. Once the game was over each and every one of them raised a toast for ‘uncle scrooge!’
Scrooge visited many other places and went to many other journeys. The spirit stood by sick beds, hospitals, jails and refuge. Scrooge was taken to see the greater side of poverty in foreign lands and places closer to home. Lastly at the end of the chapter something unexpected and very strange occurs. Beneath the giant’s robe is two horrible, frightful, hideous young children. There were a boy and a girl. The spirit tells Scrooge that the boy is Ignorance and the girl is Want.
“Beware them both…but most of all beware the boy this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is doom, unless the writing be erased.”
Scrooge once again asks if there is anything the spirit can do and the ghost replies with quoting Scrooge’s earlier words,
“Are there no prisons…Are there no workhouses?”
Scrooge feels deeply ashamed, and looks around for the spirit. The ghost disappears and a phantom, draped and hooded comes towards Scrooge like a mist along the ground.
The last ghost to visit Scrooge, a silent phantom clad in a hooded black robe. The ghost of yet to come leads Scrooge through a sequence of mysterious scenes relating to an unnamed man’s recent death. Scrooge sees businessmen discussing the dead man’s riches, some vagabonds trading his personal effects for cash, and a poor couple expressing relief at the death of their unforgiving creditor. Scrooge is anxious into knowing the name of the dead man. After pleading with the ghost, Scrooge finds himself in a churchyard; the spirit pointing to a grave, Scrooge looks at the headstone and is shocked to read his own name. He desperately implores the spirit to alter his fate, promising to renounce his insensitive, avaricious ways and to honour Christmas with all his heart. It’s here where Scrooge scared and sees just how much he has done wrong in his life to have such a bad fate. He presents Scrooge with an ominous view of his lonely death. Scrooge has a bleak future of him and mending his ways is the only way of changing what lies in front of him. Dickens creates an incredible view of Scrooge being able to see people’s view once he is dead. This I believe also reflects what type of author he is, and how his writing is reflected towards the reader.
The third and final spirit also shows Scrooge what could happen if he doesn’t mend his ways. In this stave Charles Dickens portrays strong emotions towards the reader about Tiny Tim and what could happen to him. Scrooge becomes emotional to this and believes he can change for the better.
“…I hope to live another man from what I was…”
This I believe is a very strong image and what Marley has tried to do, has now shown to be a success. For Scrooge to mend his ways is vital for the good of everyone else. The spirit also shows Scrooge how the Cratchitts house is. He sees Bob and all his family apart from the one Scrooge was mostly worried about. Tiny Tim is Bob Cratchitt’s youngest son who has been crippled from birth. Tiny Tim is a highly sentimentalized character who Dickens uses to highlight the tribulations of England’s poor and to elicit sympathy from his middle and upper class relationship. Tiny Tim is a crippled young child and Dickens uses him as a character to broadcast a disability and what the family has to go through. With the help of Scrooge Tiny Tim can survive. It’s effective at stimulating charitable giving that indigent people with disabilities could not simply ignore it if they wanted to survive outside the workhouse.
When Scrooge wakes from his ghostly visitations, he delivers a huge turkey to the Cratchitt household and gives Bob a raise. He becomes a second father to Tiny Tim and reconciles with his own nephew. Overwhelmed with joy by the chance to redeem himself and grateful that he has been returned to Christmas day, Scrooge rushes out onto the street hoping to share his newfound Christmas spirit. He sends a giant Christmas turkey to the Cratchitt house and attends Fred’s party, to the stifled surprise of the other guests. As the years go by, he holds true to his promise and honours Christmas with all his heart. He begins to treat Tiny Tim as if he were his own child. He provides lavish gifts for the poor, and treats his fellow humorous beings with kindness, generosity and warmth.
With a Christmas carol, Dickens hopes to illustrate how self – serving, insensitive people can be converted into charitable, caring and socially conscious members of society.
