What did Scrooge think of the poor?
Scrooge is also shown to be self-centred. He believes that the poor do not need or deserve to be helped by being given comfort and food. He believes that he already pays enough taxes for the “workhouses” where he they should go.
Scrooge is apathetic about the plight of the poor. He believes that his taxes pay for the prisons and workhouses, so he doesn't feel the needs to donate anything to charity. He suggests that if they would rather die, "they had better do it", and "decrease the surplus population".
Scrooge's words imply he would rather the poor be dead, as he views them as a burden to society if they are not able to support themselves.
Dickens was almost always sympathetic to poor women, including prostitutes like Nancy in Oliver Twist, and children like Jo the street sweeper in Bleak House.
Dickens uses two wretched children, called Ignorance and Want, to represent the poor. a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds.
- "Many thousands are in want of common Necessaries" quote from a charity collector. ...
- "brave in ribbons" ...
- "reeked with crime, and filth, and misery" ...
- "If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population" ...
- "This boy is ignorance, this girl is want" ...
- "Dismal little cell"
Dickens describes Mrs Cratchit as “Brave in Ribbons” and wearing a “twice-turned down”. The Cratchits are very poor. Mrs Cratchit has turned her gown inside out and added new ribbons in a desperate attempt to freshen up old clothes for the Christmas season. This is an example of the family's extreme poverty.
Those who are badly off must go there. 2nd Portly Gentleman: Many would rather die than go there. Ebenezer Scrooge: If they would rather die, then they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.
Scrooge refuses to give them a donation, claiming that the prisons and workhouses should provide for such people. He declares that if they cannot go to prison or the workhouses the poor should die 'and decrease the surplus population'.
He likes living by himself, detached from humanity and he contributes to his isolation by not talking to anyone. He makes others not want to talk to them and he doesn 't care what they think or say. He will not give sympathy to others either.
What does Scrooge say about the poor to the portly gentleman?
Those who are badly off must go there. 2nd Portly Gentleman: Many would rather die than go there. Ebenezer Scrooge: If they would rather die, then they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.
Scrooge refuses to give them a donation, claiming that the prisons and workhouses should provide for such people. He declares that if they cannot go to prison or the workhouses the poor should die 'and decrease the surplus population'.
Dickens presents the Cratchit family in the extract as poor, Tiny Tim is not well and can't afford a doctor because they have not much money Tiny Tim says “God bless us every one”. This shows he is happy and glad he can enjoy christmas.
