Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
- Miserable
- Tight-fisted
- Redeemed by the end
Scrooge is the main character of Dickens's novella and is first presented as a , unpleasant man. He rejects all offerings of Christmas cheer and celebration as 'Humbug!'.
On Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns that he will be visited by three ghosts. Each of the ghosts shows him a scene that strikes fear and regret into his heart and eventually he softens.
By the end of the story, Scrooge is a changed man, sharing his wealth and generosity with everyone.
Learn more about Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in this podcast
| How is Scrooge like this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Cold-hearted | According to Dickens's description, Scrooge is cold through and through. | No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. | Dickens uses pathetic fallacy to represent Scrooge's nature. The weather is a metaphor for Scrooge's behaviour as he cannot be made either warmer or colder by it. |
| Miserly | Scrooge is stingy with his money and will not even allow his clerk Bob Cratchit to have a decent fire to warm him on Christmas Eve. | ...as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. | The indirect speech shows that Scrooge is threatening and in charge. He will not give permission for Cratchit to take more coal. |
| Ill-mannered | His nephew visits to wish him a 'Merry Christmas' and Scrooge is rude to him in response. | "Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart." | Scrooge's response is comical, but unpleasant. He cannot accept the generosity that is offered him and instead turns images of Christmas into images of violence. |
| Self-deluded | When he sees Marley's ghost, Scrooge tries to deny its existence by attributing the vision to something he has eaten. | "You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese..." | Although Scrooge is afraid of the ghost, he tries to maintain his authority even over his own senses. |
| Cold-hearted | |
|---|---|
| How is Scrooge like this? | According to Dickens's description, Scrooge is cold through and through. |
| Evidence | No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. |
| Analysis | Dickens uses pathetic fallacy to represent Scrooge's nature. The weather is a metaphor for Scrooge's behaviour as he cannot be made either warmer or colder by it. |
| Miserly | |
|---|---|
| How is Scrooge like this? | Scrooge is stingy with his money and will not even allow his clerk Bob Cratchit to have a decent fire to warm him on Christmas Eve. |
| Evidence | ...as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. |
| Analysis | The indirect speech shows that Scrooge is threatening and in charge. He will not give permission for Cratchit to take more coal. |
| Ill-mannered | |
|---|---|
| How is Scrooge like this? | His nephew visits to wish him a 'Merry Christmas' and Scrooge is rude to him in response. |
| Evidence | "Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart." |
| Analysis | Scrooge's response is comical, but unpleasant. He cannot accept the generosity that is offered him and instead turns images of Christmas into images of violence. |
| Self-deluded | |
|---|---|
| How is Scrooge like this? | When he sees Marley's ghost, Scrooge tries to deny its existence by attributing the vision to something he has eaten. |
| Evidence | "You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese..." |
| Analysis | Although Scrooge is afraid of the ghost, he tries to maintain his authority even over his own senses. |
Social and historical context
In Victorian times, when Dickens was writing, poor children would often be sent to live in workhouses.
In 1861, 35,000 children under 12 lived and worked in workhouses in Britain. Living conditions there were unpleasant and the work was tough such as 'picking out' old ropes. Discipline was harsh and punishments included whipping. Food was basic and barely enough to sustain the children.
The 'portly gentlemen' who visit Scrooge ask for a Christmas donation to help the destitute orphans.
Analysing the evidence
Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.
As a literature enthusiast with a deep understanding of Charles Dickens's works, particularly "A Christmas Carol," I can provide comprehensive insights into the character of Ebenezer Scrooge and the various literary elements employed by Dickens in shaping his portrayal. My extensive knowledge is grounded in a thorough analysis of the text, and I can draw connections to the social and historical context of Victorian England, enriching the interpretation of Scrooge's transformation.
The evidence presented in the article effectively captures the essence of Scrooge's character traits and the evolution he undergoes throughout the novella. Let's delve into the key concepts used in the article:
1. Cold-hearted
Evidence: "No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him." Analysis: Dickens uses pathetic fallacy, employing weather as a metaphor for Scrooge's behavior. The description emphasizes Scrooge's emotional coldness and his resistance to external influences.
2. Miserly
Evidence: "…as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part." Analysis: Scrooge's stinginess is highlighted through his refusal to allow Bob Cratchit a sufficient amount of coal. The indirect speech portrays Scrooge as threatening and in control, showcasing his miserly nature.
3. Ill-mannered
Evidence: "Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding..." Analysis: Scrooge's rude response to his nephew's Christmas greeting is both comical and unpleasant. This showcases his ill-mannered disposition and his inability to accept generosity, turning Christmas sentiments into violent imagery.
4. Self-deluded
Evidence: "You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese..." Analysis: When confronted with Marley's ghost, Scrooge attempts to deny its existence by attributing the vision to physical causes. This illustrates his self-delusion and his desire to maintain control over his own senses.
5. Social and Historical Context
Evidence: "In Victorian times, when Dickens was writing, poor children would often be sent to live in workhouses..." Analysis: The article provides historical context, explaining the harsh conditions faced by poor children in workhouses during Victorian times. This context is crucial for understanding the significance of the 'portly gentlemen' seeking a Christmas donation from Scrooge.
In conclusion, Dickens masterfully crafts Scrooge's character, employing vivid descriptions and symbolic elements to convey his transformation from a miserly, cold-hearted individual to a redeemed and generous soul. The social and historical context adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing Dickens's commentary on societal issues of his time.
