Themes of Charles Dickens's A
In the timeless tale, A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens focuses upon the extreme transformation of a character named Ebenezer Scrooge. The fact that several moralistic themes can be applied throughout the novel confirms why it is a classic. The first significant alteration of Scrooge's character occurred when he was a young man, as he became increasingly involved in the occupation of business, where wealth and assets are subjects of great examination and often possessiveness. Described and portrayed as an avaricious, bitter, and solitary man, Scrooge is introduced as critically immoral, occupied constantly by business. Christmas, as the faithful celebrate it, is referred to by Scrooge as a humbug, or fraud. On the topic of a merry Christmas, as his nephew related to it, Scrooge declared that an individual as poor as Fred has little or nothing to be merry about. In one of the most disturbing quotations from Scrooge, he casually remarks to two gentlemen requesting donations for the poor, "if [idle people] would rather die [than attend prisons and workhouses], they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population" (11). Scrooge accuses Bob Cratchit of being greedy for requesting Christmas as a day to retreat from work t
o be with his family, when in fact it is he who is greedy, essentially concerned with profits, not people. The trembling of the spirit's hand at the conclusion of Stave Four suggests that there truly is a chance for Scrooge to overthrow the prophecy he was just presented, and confidently he promises to "live in the Past, Present, and the Future," and, "the Spirits of all Three shall strive within me" (79). Scrooge comprehends for the first time how the Cratchits can be delightfully content without wealth. Hearing the haunting, disoriented sounds of sorrow and regret, Scrooge was impelled by the ghost of Marley to witness a serious of phantoms who also wore chains, for they were victims of Scrooge's selfishness. In the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Scrooge pledges that he sincerely hopes to change his ways. The image compelled Scrooge to inspect the rooms of his house, and to lock his door uncustomarily. When Scrooge eagerly alluded the poor children should have shelter and protection, the spirit simply replied, "Are there no prisons?. The passionate struggle of man should be for love, not wealth. Scrooge attends Bob Cratchit's home, wishes him a merry Christmas, informs him that his salary will be raised, and sits down with the Cratchits to eat the dinner for which he provided an impressive turkey. This gesture of commendation for someone so unpleasant helped Scrooge realize how forgiving people can be, and to many people, he owes genuine repentance.
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Acceptance Essays
