Ebenezer Scrooge Analysis Essay Example
Character Analysis of Ebenezer Scrooge
At the beginning of A Christmas Carol, abundant evidence is provided to support the conclusion that Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist of Dickens' tale, who doesn't want to spend any more money than is absolutely essential, and who begrudges spending for what is necessary. A grasping, covetous, flinty old pinchpenny... With his pointed nose, shrivelled cheeks, and stiff gait, he is repulsive to all his acquaintances. In his novella, Dickens portrays Scrooge with words that are equally as familiar as his name-- “Bah...Humbug!".
Scrooge's character is shaped by the conditioning he experienced as a young child, as our characters as humans always are. He has been suffering psychologically for years from the abuse of neglect he received as a child when he was left alone during Christmas. However, another conflict manifests itself on that Christmas Eve when the do-gooders stop by to ask Scrooge for a donation for charity by mentioning Marley's name which triggers Scrooge's memory of friendship, love and benevolence. He sent them off by a gruffly reply "It is not my business....It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!" Finally, the day draws to its close and Scrooge must release his clerk, Bob Cratchit, but not before he grumpily says, "...you don't think me ill-used when I pay a day's wages for no work" as he must allow the man a holiday on Christmas. Ordering the man to "Be here all the earlier" the next day, Scrooge reluctantly lets the man go home. Clearly, Ebenezer Scrooge is a misanthrope who shares no warmth with any man. As he dismisses his nephew, Scrooge declares, "If I could work my will, 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. He should!"
The conflict intensifies when Marley's spirit
At the beginning of A Christmas Carol, abundant evidence is provided to support the conclusion that Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist of Dickens' tale, who doesn't want to spend any more money than is absolutely essential, and who begrudges spending for what is necessary. A grasping, covetous, flinty old pinchpenny... With his pointed nose, shrivelled cheeks, and stiff gait, he is repulsive to all his acquaintances. In his novella, Dickens portrays Scrooge with words that are equally as familiar as his name-- “Bah...Humbug!".
Scrooge's character is shaped by the conditioning he experienced as a young child, as our characters as humans always are. He has been suffering psychologically for years from the abuse of neglect he received as a child when he was left alone during Christmas. However, another conflict manifests itself on that Christmas Eve when the do-gooders stop by to ask Scrooge for a donation for charity by mentioning Marley's name which triggers Scrooge's memory of friendship, love and benevolence. He sent them off by a gruffly reply "It is not my business....It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!" Finally, the day draws to its close and Scrooge must release his clerk, Bob Cratchit, but not before he grumpily says, "...you don't think me ill-used when I pay a day's wages for no work" as he must allow the man a holiday on Christmas. Ordering the man to "Be here all the earlier" the next day, Scrooge reluctantly lets the man go home. Clearly, Ebenezer Scrooge is a misanthrope who shares no warmth with any man. As he dismisses his nephew, Scrooge declares, "If I could work my will, 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. He should!"
The conflict intensifies when Marley's spirit