Character Analysis of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
“He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew…” Discuss Scrooge’s transformation in A Christmas Carol.
Charles Dickens, renowned social critic and celebrated author of the Victorian Era. In his most cherished yuletide novella, Dickens’ explores the idea of transformation and man’s ability to redeem himself. By observing Scrooge’s conversion from misanthrope to humanitarian, the reader can understand that Scrooge is only able to transform because of the ghost’s intervention. Each spirit’s visit secures a part of Scrooge’s developing social conscience. As the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come exits the narrative, the initial antagonist of the novella, Ebenezer Scrooge, does transform into “as good a man, as the good old city knew…”
The arrival of Marley’s Ghost marks Scrooge’s first steps towards redemption. Marley comes wearing the “chains he forged in life”, informing Scrooge that his spirit will be “doomed to wander through the world” if he does not change his ways. Marley warns his former business partner that “he has yet a chance and hope of escaping his fate”, implying that Scrooge cannot redeem himself on his own. When Scrooge is informed he will be visited by three ghosts, Marley, in a blatant manner, suggests that “without their visits” Scrooge “cannot hope to shun the path” he now treads. In this section of the novella, Dickens is imploring his upper class readership to redeem themselves for the benefit of England. It is from Marley’s visit that Scrooge learns he must transform in order to avoid a doomed fate.
The Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge’s second visitor, is the personification of wisdom and memory. The “clear jet of light” springing from the ghost’s crown is symbolic of the “light” the spirit is about to shed on Scrooge’s past. Scrooge’s reluctance to pursue his transformation is demonstrated when he begs the apparition to be covered. When the ghost retorts “would you so soon put out, with worldly
Charles Dickens, renowned social critic and celebrated author of the Victorian Era. In his most cherished yuletide novella, Dickens’ explores the idea of transformation and man’s ability to redeem himself. By observing Scrooge’s conversion from misanthrope to humanitarian, the reader can understand that Scrooge is only able to transform because of the ghost’s intervention. Each spirit’s visit secures a part of Scrooge’s developing social conscience. As the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come exits the narrative, the initial antagonist of the novella, Ebenezer Scrooge, does transform into “as good a man, as the good old city knew…”
The arrival of Marley’s Ghost marks Scrooge’s first steps towards redemption. Marley comes wearing the “chains he forged in life”, informing Scrooge that his spirit will be “doomed to wander through the world” if he does not change his ways. Marley warns his former business partner that “he has yet a chance and hope of escaping his fate”, implying that Scrooge cannot redeem himself on his own. When Scrooge is informed he will be visited by three ghosts, Marley, in a blatant manner, suggests that “without their visits” Scrooge “cannot hope to shun the path” he now treads. In this section of the novella, Dickens is imploring his upper class readership to redeem themselves for the benefit of England. It is from Marley’s visit that Scrooge learns he must transform in order to avoid a doomed fate.
The Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge’s second visitor, is the personification of wisdom and memory. The “clear jet of light” springing from the ghost’s crown is symbolic of the “light” the spirit is about to shed on Scrooge’s past. Scrooge’s reluctance to pursue his transformation is demonstrated when he begs the apparition to be covered. When the ghost retorts “would you so soon put out, with worldly