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.
| 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 an avid enthusiast and expert on Charles Dickens's works, particularly "A Christmas Carol," I bring a wealth of knowledge about Ebenezer Scrooge and the underlying themes in this timeless novella. My deep understanding of the literary nuances and historical context surrounding Dickens's writing enables me to provide a comprehensive analysis of Scrooge's character and the concepts embedded in the provided article.
Let's delve into the evidence and analysis provided in the article:
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Cold-hearted:
- Evidence: "No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him."
- Analysis: Dickens employs pathetic fallacy, using the weather as a metaphor for Scrooge's cold and unfeeling nature. It emphasizes that external influences, such as warmth or cold weather, cannot affect Scrooge's emotional state.
-
Miserly:
- Evidence: "The master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part."
- Analysis: The indirect speech highlights Scrooge's stinginess, especially in denying his clerk, Bob Cratchit, a decent fire on Christmas Eve. This reinforces Scrooge's unwillingness to part with his wealth or share comforts with others.
-
Ill-mannered:
- Evidence: "Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips..."
- Analysis: Scrooge's rude response to his nephew's holiday greeting reflects his ill-mannered and unpleasant demeanor. He not only rejects the goodwill offered but responds with violent imagery, turning the season of joy into one of hostility.
-
Self-deluded:
- Evidence: "You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese..."
- Analysis: Scrooge's attempt to rationalize Marley's ghost as a result of indigestion demonstrates his self-delusion. Despite fear, he clings to a materialistic and skeptical mindset, refusing to acknowledge the supernatural.
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Social and Historical Context:
- Context: Dickens's portrayal of workhouses and the plight of poor children reflects the harsh realities of Victorian society.
- Evidence: "The 'portly gentlemen' who visit Scrooge ask for a Christmas donation to help the destitute orphans."
- Analysis: The request for a Christmas donation serves as a commentary on societal issues, emphasizing the stark contrast between Scrooge's wealth and the dire conditions faced by the less fortunate.
In conclusion, Dickens masterfully crafts Scrooge's character to represent the vices of greed, cold-heartedness, and self-centeredness prevalent in society. The provided evidence and analysis showcase the depth of Dickens's social commentary, making "A Christmas Carol" not only a compelling story but also a powerful critique of Victorian-era societal norms.
