There is a Christmas movie that I have watched a few times called Deck the Halls, a film about two neighbors who spend the holidays trying to outdo each other’s Christmas lights. Steve Finch is known for being the Christmas man until the new neighbors move in- the Halls. This new guy, Buddy, has holiday lights that are so spectacular they can almost be seen from space, making Steve jealous. Steve ends up trying to blow up the Hall house, accidentally setting his house on fire instead. Both of their wives and children end up leaving to spend Christmas somewhere else, away from their shenanigans. In the end, Steve and Buddy come together to make one big light display for their families, bringing everyone back home and eventually the whole town …show more content…
together for the holidays. While things work out in the end and the two become friends, it happens only after everything goes horribly wrong. This reminded me very much of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, and the novel A Christmas Carol, as in all three the main character(s) look for more, putting their wants of having the most luxurious things and the most lavish life ahead of everything else that really matters, such as family. It seems that it is a part of human nature to always want the best things, doing everything to attain this life no matter what the consequences and despite how little an improvement it actually makes. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebeneezer Scrooge lives a miserable life as a selfish, miserly, crotchety old man.
After his sister dies, he seeks a better life, one filled with riches, thinking this is the best way to live. To attain this lifestyle, he pushes away everyone close to him- including the love of his life. He does not even bat an eye when his business partner Marley passes away. Then, Christmas Eve comes around, and the ghost of his dead partner comes to warn him of the three spirits that will be coming that night- one that will show him his past, one that will show him the present, and one that will show him the future. Only when the third ghost shows him his future after he dies and Scrooge sees that everyone is either indifferent or glad that he is gone does he realize he needs to make a change. He becomes cheerful and charitable, and as a result is a much happier person. George Bailey, however, from It’s a Wonderful Life, lives his whole life helping others and always trying to do the right thing. From rescuing his brother from drowning in the freezing water, which causes George to lose his hearing, to leaving his dreams behind of traveling the world, and instead taking over the family business, George is selfless all throughout his life. He marries his childhood sweetheart and has four healthy, happy children. Yet he still feels empty. He wants more than just this simple life. He is so unhappy that he almost commits suicide, stopping himself only …show more content…
when he sees someone else fall in (his guardian angel, Clarence) and he must go save them. After George saves the man and finds out the man is supposedly an angel, Clarence shows George how different people could have been had he never been born. His wife, Mary, would have been a spinster, having never met the love of her life. His mother would have been a mean old hag without a son to bring her happiness. The store owner George used to work for, Mr. Gower, would have become an alcoholic-nobody after accidentally poisoning a child since George was never there to stop him. Corrupted Mr. Potter would have taken over the town, filling it with strip clubs and bars, had George never stood up to him and protected the people that could not protect themselves. He is able to see what a difference he has made in everyone’s lives and goes back to the present feeling much more appreciative of everything he has. While this is quite a happy ending, it is discouraging that only after George contemplated death he realized that all he needed was right in front of him, making It’s a Wonderful Life the darker of the two stories. The Cratchits, from A Christmas Carol, seem to have a very bright outlook on life. The family has little to eat every day, lives in a shack with eight people, one of the children is crippled, and the father, Bob Cratchit, sits in a cold office getting payed next to nothing. Even with these horrendous conditions they are all overjoyed with Christmas cheer and constantly have a positive outlook on life. All they get for Christmas dinner is a tiny goose, yet they still find it absolutely splendid. They are simply happy having each other. George Bailey, on the other hand, has a darker outlook on life as he grows older. He is extremely jealous of his brother, who became a war hero and has the life George always dreamed of. He feels lesser than people who have more money than him. For example, one of his classmates, Sam, is very wealthy but is also very self-centered, yet George feels Sam is the better man. While he tries not to focus on money the way Mr. Potter does, he cannot help but be overcome with resentment after his Uncle Billy loses $8,000. He storms home, yelling at Mary and his kids, running off to the bridge in the freezing cold, considering jumping into the water because his life is so horrible. George is made to represent the common man, possibly a more genuine version, so if someone as earnest as him can lose hope despite desperately trying so hard to hold onto the light, what chance does everyone else have? While the movie may have an optimistic look on life with the ending- everyone pitching in to help George because of everything he has done for them, it is hard to overlook the large, bleak part of the story that depicts man as always wanting more than what he has. Like George Bailey and Ebeneezer Scrooge, most people constantly want more than what they already have in life.
It is rare to find someone that does not want fame or riches. Go up and ask anybody, and they would likely say yes without thinking twice. No matter what you already have, there is some part of us that always wants more. That despite seeing how their lives turn out believe the grass is greener on the other side, and maybe it is simply a myth that the grass isn’t greener, something said just to throw others off. However hard you try there is a part of you that would do anything just to be the best. Is that really such a problem? What is really wrong with wanting to do everything you can to be better and have better things? Sure, you might lose all the other good things in life. Who cares? While some may look at these statements and think how awful and twisted would you have to be to want to give up everything just to have more money, they just wait, because it is part of being a human to want more, and as George Bailey shows, the corruption consumes all of us
eventually.
After the previous spirit disappeared, Scrooge looks up to find the final spirit, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The phantom remains silent and simply takes Scrooge toward the city, where they eavesdrop on a few conversations between people. One of them was between two men who were talking about how someone had recently died. They retorted about how nobody liked the man and, consequently, they expected nobody to show up to the funeral. The twain continued to another pair of businessmen who had also heard the news that someone had died, but did not care. Scrooge, oblivious as to who they were talking about, tries to ask the spirit some questions, in which the spirit doesn’t respond. The phantom just drags Scrooge to a nearly abandoned
Dickens displays guilt as the main form of how Scrooge’s character develops into a compassionate person by the end of the novella. As Scrooge feels this quilt, it's purely based on the visions that the ghosts provide which further causes Scrooge to realise the consequences of his actions. His alienation from specific characters that he used to love such as Belle, “...has displaced me…” whom left Scrooge, due to his desire for money and wealth which grew. This desire grows with him as he is rejecting the christmas joy and spirit as he continuously states that Christmas is a “humbug,” but by stating this it provides comparison. Dickens depicts that Scrooge has become a better person because of fear but in the end he has become kinder. As the
Although he didn’t reach this point his business partner Jacob Marley did. When Marley died he had to wear a chain link for every bad deed he did. So his punishment was bearing the weight of his actions. Scrooge was also headed down this path but lucky for him Marley and the ghosts helped him to shun his path. The ghost of Christmas yet to come showed him the reaction of people when Scrooge was going to die. This was one of consequences, since he was mean and cold-hearted to everyone people seemed happy and joyous at the fact of his death. Some people said they would only go to his funeral if there was food and because they could wear their fancy black gloves. “It's likely to be a very cheap funeral,'' said the same speaker; ``for upon my life I don't know of anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a party and volunteer?'' ``I don't mind going if a lunch is provided,'' observed the gentleman with the excrescence on his nose.” In the end though Scrooge was able to shun his path and started treating people kinder with more respect. His was able to change his attitude towards people from being rude and nasty to being kind and found that people liked him a lot better that
On Christmas Eve , Scrooge is gone by a progression of ghosts,starting with his old business accomplice, Jacob Marley. The three spirits follow,the Ghosts of Past , Christmas present and Christmas future ,show how his ,mean conduct has influenced everyone around him. Toward the finish of the story ,he is soothed to find that there is still time for him to change and we see him changed into a liberal and kind hearted person.
A well-known expression is that money can’t buy happiness, yet people fantasize of winning the lottery, living in their dream house, and possessing enough tangible objects to feel satisfied with their lives. Most are under the preconceived notion that the absence of wealth and power translates to hardship and despair. This, however, is not the case, because a self-effacing lifestyle is not an indication of a lower quality of life, and often is better than one of great fortune. People yearn to have the financial independence and capabilities of those in higher ranking positions, and are willing to abandon their morals and own personal well-being if it means being successful. It seems that by reaching a level of wealth in which money is no longer
In the play, Mr. Scrooge is a greedy man who thinks Christmas is “Bah Humbug!” (Dickens 3). His family has always wanted him to join them for a Christmas feast, but Mr. Scrooge has never wanted anything to do with Christmas. Marley, Mr. Scrooge’s old business partner, didn’t want Mr. Scrooge to end up like him with chains of greed attached to him when he died, so he sent Mr. Scrooge three spirits: Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Scrooge was always mean to everyone. They did not like him. He was visited by three ghosts that taught him a lesson. He started being nice. “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all. . . He was a second father. . . [to Tiny Tim] His own heart laughed.” (Dickens 64). Doing nice things for people can make people happier too. The Grinch, as well as Scrooge, hates Christmas and he expresses it. The Whos hate him for it. He takes the presents of all the Whos, he is about to throw it off the mountain. The Grinch hears a sound. It is them. They are singing, despite the fact their Christmas is ruined. He returned all their gifts and celebrates Christmas with them. He is finally loved by the Whos. Doing nice things for people can make a person happy as well. Although, Scrooge was helped by spirits, The Grinch was held by people. Recent books can be seen using traditional story’s themes.
Little did Ebenezer Scrooge know, this was going to be the kickoff to a substantial journey on his night of Christmas Eve. The ghost of Christmas past had the appearance similar to a child, yet it had some characteristics comparable to a lit candle. This ghost took Scrooge to all of his most painful memories leading up to his present day position. After brief reminders of these incidents, Scrooge started to get melancholy. Events from his schooldays, his engagement, and even his happy apprenticeship with his former boss Fezziwig provided enough insight for the main character to visit his childhood. Scrooge then got an unexpected visit from the ghost of Christmas Present. He took the display of a gigantic man, dressed in a green robe. This ghost helped provide an insight for Scrooge on what his acquaintances were doing on Christmas Eve night. Bob Cratchit, had a dinner with his family and could barely afford any food due to his low wage from Scrooge. Lastly, Ebenezer received a visitation from the ghost of Christmas yet to come. The ghost was strictly straightforward with Scrooge’s future if he kept acting similar to what he did. The three ghosts provided a prolonged climax to the story, giving Ebenezer a direct turning point in his actions and beliefs. He had adjusted to not making
In this Stave, Dickens shows the importance of kindness by showing Scrooge’s absence of it and the effects of his harmful indifference. Scrooge is taken into his own past and shown memories of when he was young. The Ghost shows him scenes of when he was small and alone on Christmas. This memory makes him regret his harshness towards a young caroler that had come to his door the previous day. He sees that he lacked kindness and wishes he gave something to the caroler. His indifference towards the caroler insured that Scrooge would remain alone. The Ghost also reminds Scrooge of his beloved sister, Fannie who had died and left only her son. “’Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered,’ said the Ghost. ‘But she had a large heart!’ ‘So she had,’ cried Scrooge. ‘You’re right. I will not gainsay it, Spirit. God forbid!’ ‘She died a woman,’ said the Ghost, ‘and had, as I think, children.’ ‘One child,’ Scrooge returned. ‘True,’ said the Ghost. ‘Your nephew!’ Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, ‘Yes.’” (pg. 33-34). Scrooge’s only connection to his kind and gentle sister is his nephew, who also shares Fannie’s sweet nature. Scrooge is then filled with regret because of his callous treatment and lack of relationship with his nephew, who only wanted to be kind and spread the joy of the season. Scrooge’s sheer indifference and lack of kindness towards his nephew prevented
During the story, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts from Christmas past, present, and future, who shows the ill-tempered Scrooge how to be feel compassion towards others human beings. A large quantity of the story revolves around money, and it plays a large role, to contrast how generosity is viewed in society. Scrooge is incredibly wealthy, as he lives a l...
Just like the play, Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in the story. He is a mean, cold-hearted man that has no Christmas spirit whatsoever. All that Scrooge cares about and will ever care about is his wealth until he is taken on a journey. He is lead by 3 ghosts of his past, present, and future as he was in the play. These ghosts show him what Christmas spirit is and try to force it upon him. All of this finally hits him once he is taken to the future and witnesses his own grave. Scrooge pleads for a second chance to change his bad ways. Once he wakes up in his bedroom after all of this craziness, he jumps for joy and makes many new friends while mending with some old friends. He fixes many of his wrongs and lives out the rest of his life as a happier, friendlier, and a generous
A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life are classic works of art that have aged well over time and are some of the most popular stories during Christmas. Both stories remain very popular to this day because of the themes being relatable to almost everyone making it relevant. Though, these stories, if taken into context, are quite serious compared to other less thought provoking tales. The main character of It’s A Wonderful Life is George Bailey a generous man that helps people with their problems and finances. The main character of A Christmas Carol is Ebenezer Scrooge a grouchy old man that is wealthy but doesn’t care about anyone but himself. George and Scrooge are two very different characters, but go through similar life processes that change them for better..
He is taken to the streets of his town. Scrooge sees three businessmen discussing his funeral. They say that they thought he would never die. They also say that they will only go to his funeral if there is food there, but if there is no food they don't plan on attending. Nor, do they even think that there will be a funeral because there will be no one willing to pay for it because he was such an awful person. Scrooge is unable to put two and two together to figure out that this was what was going to happen to him. He thought that they were talking about his ex business partner, James Marley. Next, Scrooge sees people discussing things that they would want to sell for money. They then begin discussing how they had taken it off dead Scrooge’s body after he had died. They explain how they had taken the very clothes he was wearing right off of his back and just left him there. They took everything they thought they could make money off of. Scrooge, while watching the scene, realizes that this is an awful thing to happen to someone, but still does not understand that it is him that they are talking about. Finally, Scrooge is taken to his grave with the Ghost Of Christmas Future. The ghost points at the grave and gestures for him to get in it. Scrooge pleads, and pleads with the spirit to allow him to live, and after a while of begging, the ghost shakes a little bit and puts his finger down. “Spirit, this is a
In "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a transformation as a result of his encounters with three ghosts and becomes a kind, happy, and generous man. His greedy, cruel, and grumpy demeanor is replaced seemingly overnight, but he doesn’t just wake up and decide to be nice. It takes three Spirits to change his outlook on life - The Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. The Ghost of Christmas Past makes Scrooge begin to regret his selfishness, and the Ghost of Christmas Present begins to teach him about others. This second Ghost helps to make him realize that money doesn't buy happiness. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, however, teaches the most profound lesson of all: unless he changes, no one will care if Scrooge dies. Because of the Ghosts, by Christmas morning Ebenezer Scrooge is a completely different person from the man who went to bed on Christmas Eve.
Almost everybody hopes to be rich. Society believes that only the social status can define the kind of person you are. Majority of