How Is Scrooge Presented In A Christmas Carol

Examine the ways in which Dickens presents the character of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

The story ‘A Christmas Carol’ was written by Charles Dickens in 1843. Dickens was a very popular writer at the time of ‘A Christmas Carol’ is one of his most famous stories today. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is presented as being a very cruel, selfish and harsh man. However, he changes throughout the novella due to significant events. I think the main message Dickens portrayed within the novella was to be loving and generous around Christmas time particularly to those less fortunate. Many people believe this novella has many influences on the way we celebrate Christmas today and some call Dickens ‘the creator of Christmas.’
At the start of the novella, Scrooge is shown as cold-hearted, greedy and selfish. This is especially shown towards people who celebrate Christmas and also poor people. Scrooge says ‘I can’t afford to make idle people merry… if they would rather die… then they better had do it and decrease the surplus population.’ This is said to charity collectors, showing Scrooge’s selfishness. The word ‘surplus’ suggests that Scrooge considers there to be too many people that are not needed. Also the word ‘idle’ implies that Scrooge
was a lazy man who may have refused to put effort in to things he didn’t want to do .During this era, the new poor law was introduced, which meant poor people were sent to the workhouses, conditions in the workhouses were very harsh, and Dickens disapproved of this, making Scrooge appear more evil and bitter as he was supportive of the workhouses.
Further on in the novella, Scrooge is approached by the ghost of his former, dead, co-worker, Marley. In Victorian times, ghost stories were a very popular form of entertainment, so this novel would have been very popular because of it’s use of ghosts. This was an advantage as Dickens wanted lots of people to read his novel, so he could spread his message of goodwill. When scrooge is approached by Marley’s ghost, he shows fear when it is written ‘Marley’s ghost bothered him exceedingly’ the use of the word ‘exceedingly’ shows that it scared and irritated Scrooge to a high level. This illustrates a new a different side of Scrooge that the reads already know from being introduced to a more emotionless character before in the novella.
Later on, Scrooge is visited by The Ghost of Christmas Past. Scrooge is taken back to when he was younger and is seen at a Christmas party, celebrating along-side his employer, Fezziwig. This scene demonstrates to the reader how Scrooge once acted and shows how much he has changed. Previously, he didn’t even care about his own nephew, Fred. Scrooge says at this point ’why it’s old Fezziwig! Bless his heart, it’s Fezziwig, alive again.’ this quote suggests that Scrooge once cared for people and had feelings. This is unlike the Scrooge we know as he is concerned for others and not just for money. Dickens may have intended to write this scene, showing Fezziwig celebrating Christmas in the same way that he wants everyone else to do it. In this era, Victorians didn’t celebrate Christmas the same way we do today, they tended to not make such a big deal out of it, however Dickens shows a different view of Christmas in his character, Fezziwig, throughout this novella.
As the novella progresses, Scrooge is taken to Bob Crachit’s family home. He seems quite sympathetic in this scene, when he sees the Crachit’s situation. He shows care during his visit, however, he still finds a way to relate back to money when he says ‘A tremendous family to provide for’ the word ‘provide’ may imply that Scrooge means money and is talking about Crachit spending a lot on his family. This may be the reason why Scrooge has no family of his own, because he is too greedy to spent it even on his own family members. During the Victorian era, most employers acted this way and their lives revolved around mostly money, even though many people had large families, so a character similar to Scrooge wouldn’t be too unusual. Dickens may have used this scene to show Scrooge’s inner feelings but also bring up his selfishness as he isn’t a completely changed man at this point of the story.
Later, the final ghost visits Scrooge, this is The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.
In this scene he is taken to his grave in the future and he then shows his fear and admits that he has done wrong throughout his life once he sees that no one cares that he has died. He says ‘Hear me! I am not the man I was.’ the way he says ‘hear me!’ suggests that he wants everyone to know and hear that he has changed from his pervious self. I think Dickens may have included this episode within the story to show Scrooge admitting he’s now different. Also, earlier in the story, Scrooge says that the poor population should die. However, after seeing what death is like, his point of view may have changed and he may take back what he said
before.
By the end of the story, Scrooge is presented as a completely different character. He is caring and charitable, giving gifts and spreading Christmas spirit. ‘A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo there! Whoop! Hallo!” This type of behaviour shows the reader that Scrooge is not only nicer but he is also happier as a person. It shows that Scrooge has certainly learnt a lesson from the ghosts’ visits and he expresses this more throughout the final scene of the novella. The narrator says ‘To Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.’ This proves that Scrooge has taken his experience and used it to help out those in need.
I think the story, as a whole, was written by Dickens to spread a message and teach a lesson to the readers. Dickens had a considerably bad childhood, his father was in prison due to the New Poor Law and his family lived in poverty. Dickens may have wanted to get his message across about the poor in society and how they are treated, as he had experience from this. As well as this, he may have wanted to change Victorian views on Christmas and felt that it should be celebrated by being generous and loving. He may have used a character such as Scrooge as the change in him would be clearer than using anyone else. I think Scrooge changes in the way he does, to suggest to readers that this is the way to change and that everyone should act how Scrooge does from the end of the novella. I personally do not think Scrooge is a bad person, I feel he may be quite misunderstood and afraid to care for people because of events during his childhood. I do think he was acting wrong by acting so nasty towards others and being so selfish but after the visits from the ghosts, he realised his wrongs and corrected them. Overall, there is a clear message from the start to the end of this story and I feel that it has the potential to change readers’ points of view.

Steph Bowen EG 10RE2