What Does Social Justice Mean In A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol Essay

Introductory Paragraph:

“The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things.” In this quote, Thomas S. Monson explained the true meaning of Christmas which is very similar to the meaning of Christmas in the Victorian Era. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, one man named Ebenezer Scrooge discovers the true meaning of Christmas in his town and his heart. By analyzing social justice, Scrooge’s transformation, and childhood innocence; it becomes clear that all these elements help shape the characters in this novel, as well as define the time period.

Social Justice

Social Justice is one of the main concepts and themes in

A Christmas Carol. It is important to understand because it relates directly to the characters in the book. This quote is a very important piece of the concept of social justice by showing Scrooge’s true feelings about Christmas, and it states, ‘“...What right have you to be merry?

what reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough... What right have you to be dismal? what reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough,”’ (3). From this piece of the story, indirect characterization and juxtaposition tie this quote to the theme of social justice. The quote explains the difference between certain social classes and how the wealthy look down upon others. This then emphasizes the importance of social standings. The words that were said such as, “You’re poor enough,” and “You’re rich enough,” directly characterize Scrooge and his personality in which he thinks poorly of others whose social rankings are below his, and that he is wealthy enough to be merry. Juxtaposition is also evident in this when the author puts the words rich and poor next to each other. This is meant to emphasize how important the people’s financial status was in that time and its importance. Another example of social justice is from Scrooge’s nephew when he describes his thoughtfulness, ‘“...If they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures

bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”’ (4). This is tied to this theme because he is setting a mood of thoughtfulness by the words, “...I believe it has done me good, and will do me good…”. This means that the nephew is trying to emphasize that all people are all going to die regardless of their financial status. This was recognized when the nephew said, “...If they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys…” Moreover, his purpose is to make Scrooge realize that everyone should be considered equal because in the end, no one is better than one another. Scrooge’s nephew also says, “...Never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good..” This is trying to say that kindness won’t have any physical reward, but a reward at heart is the purpose, which also ties good community service to financial rankings. The two quotes mentioned earlier described how important money was in the Victorian Era which helps the reader understand the story as well as the figurative language that compares and contrasts the rich and the poor. Clearly, social justice is a very important aspect in this novel. It emphasizes the time period and it shapes the characters in this story. Two other themes also share this same importance.

Scrooge’s Transformation
During this novel, the reader gets to follow Scrooge’s journey as he becomes a changed man to free himself from the chains he has and is forging in life. In this quote, Scrooge’s cold heartedness is shown, “...Piercing, searching, biting cold. If the good Saint Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirit’s nose with a touch of such weather as that...” (7). This relates to Scrooge's transformation because the mood makes it seem that Scrooge is “cold”. This “cold” also makes Scrooge seem lonely and empty, which is described by the words; piercing, searching, and biting. There is one reason why this is important; it gives Scrooge unpleasant characteristics that give him a reason to make a transformation in his everyday life. The allusion in this quote was shown by the historical reference to Saint Dunstan, which compares an important Saint to Scrooge. Scrooge’s transformation is also shown when Marley’s ghost is outraged by Scrooge’s remark about business. ‘“Business!”... “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”’ (14). A metaphor and the use of repetition connect the quote to this theme by recognizing the importance of trade and money, and how it is only a small part of his business in the world. This connects with Scrooge’s transformation because Scrooge is finally being told that all of what he thought was important is not part of the bigger picture. The repetition of business emphasizes everyone’s certain duties in their life. The metaphor that is used is “.. But a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business,” and it describes that actual business is only a small part of everyone's personal responsibilities. These quotes tie in with the Victorian Era because there were many people who were in desperate need of a miracle, of which was caused by debtors prisons, illness, etc. Scrooge’s transformation is one of the most important themes in the book. It helps transform the reading into a complex piece of literature, where a character realizes the true meaning of life itself. On the other hand, there is one more theme that is conveyed in this story where all children are perceived as God themselves.

Childhood Innocence
In Charles Dickens’ writing, children are perceived as angelic and innocent creatures created by God. It is important because this topic characterizes Tiny Tim and many other children in the book which later leads to Scrooge’s transformation. This time period had one belief going through many people. This belief was that children were young and innocent, as well as connected with God in a sense. An example of this is from a little girl named Fan who wants to finally share her home with her brother, “...Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home’s like Heaven! … We’re to be together all Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world,” (22-23). Repetition and one simile tie this quote to the theme of childhood innocence because these two literary elements bring out her true “angelic” personality. She uses the word ‘home’ a lot to emphasize how much she loves it and cares to share it with the world. What she doesn’t understand is that not everyone is as fortunate as her. She also describes her home to be like heaven, which defines her lightheartedness and connection with God and heaven. All of these things characterize her as angelic and innocent through her youthful character. Tiny Tim is another example of this when he tries to apply God to make people grateful. His mother says, "...He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see,” (38). Tiny Tim in the book accepts his disability and uses it to help people. He is trying to make the best of his situation to help people remember that Jesus once helped all of them. This is from the phrase “...lame beggars walk, and blind men see." The irony comes from how ironic it is that there is a crippled person in church, and that he wants to be seen as crippled. To continue, the juxtaposition of blind and see, as well as lame beggars, describes how he is trying to emphasize that everyone can distinguish kindness. This just keeps adding to his innocent and angelic profile. Childhood innocence, as well as the other two themes, help back up the true message of this novel that was taken place in the Victorian Era.

Conclusion Paragraph
After analyzing the themes of social justice, Scrooge’s transformation, and childhood innocence; it is clear that this book plays a very important role in describing the Victorian Era. During this time period in which A Christmas Carol was written, there were many life altering consequences that came to the poor of all ages. Scarlet fever and childhood mortality were both very serious issues. If taxes weren’t paid up to the landlord's satisfaction, the victims would live in a debtors prison which consisted of beyond poor living conditions. The poor were considered disgusting to the wealthy, and the wealthy were very opposed to treating them equally. Charles Dickens grew up in a debtors prison, and wrote books (including this one) about his experiences as a poor man and boy. The meaning of this novel touched many in his time, and still impacts the population today. Overall, this novel’s message is about treating people with care, and sharing Christmas spirit to the more or less fortunate regardless of social rankings, financial rankings, or how innocent a person’s soul can be.