Scrooge's Change in Attitude in A Christmas Carol

1969 Words4 Pages

Consider Dickens’s portrayal of Scrooge’s change in attitude in a

Christmas Carol What message do you feel Dickens Conveys to the

reader.

The essay will discuss the moral messages, which can be interpreted in

the novel. It will examine the main character Scrooge, and his

attitude towards life, his mean, grumpy and selfish character and his

lack of Christian charity. It will explain the transformation of

Scrooge and why the transformation occurred.

Scrooge's mean attitude was demonstrated when he said to his nephew,

“What right have you to be Merry? You're poor enough"

This is the first indication that Scrooge was not in the Christmas

spirit as he was not joyful. This is also an indication that Scrooge

was greedy and mean with his money. He thought that you can only be

merry by becoming wealthier.

Scrooge said,

"… Christmas time… time for paying bills without money… and not an

hour richer"

This quotation enforced the comment that Scrooge was not in the

Christmas Spirit. It also tells us Scrooge was worried about paying

bills and making money and becoming richer.

Scrooge's lack of Christian charity was visible when two charity

workers asked for donations and Scrooge refused. Scrooge said,

“Are there no prisons…workhouses?"

“I can't afford to make idle people merry"

These two quotations refer to poor people; Scrooge did not have any

compassion towards these poor people. He called them idle people,

which re-enforced his lack of Christian spirit. It also shows that

Scrooge is not a true Christian as true Christians give money to

charity. Scrooge is angry with poor people for no apparent reason and

said that they should die and

“Decrease the surplus population"

These quotations sh...

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beginning of the novel. It showed that he had transformed into a kind

and loving man. The moral message is to be inspired by Scrooge's

transformation and try to transform you into the 'new' Scrooge.

Dickens tries to encourage people to educate the poor; he is trying to

show the effects if we do not help the poor.

Conclusion

'A Christmas Carol' is undoubtedly a moral novel. This was visible in

many parts of the novel. There are both indirect and direct moral

messages. The why many people find it moralistic. Many people in the

world can relate to issues discussed in the novel. These include

greed, not donating to charity, helping poor and needy, regret,

compassion, Scrooge was given a chance but many in reality will not be

given one The novel changes from telling how not to behave but also

tells them how to behave through the character of Scrooge.

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