Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol is considered by many to be a classic for all the ages, if an objectivist point of view is used to analyse the social and political undertones of the story they will agree with most of it, if not all of it. One of the major parts that an objectivist would agree with in A Christmas Carol is how scrooge thinks of and how he treats the poor and infirm. Scrooge further develops his objectivist ideology by being completely self-interested in both his personal and professional life. After Scrooge is visited by the three apparitions he is radically changed from a self-interested, objectivist, to a positive and uplifting altruist. In Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, an objectivist would agree with Scrooge’s …show more content…
Another instant where Scrooge shows an objectivist behavior towards people poorer than he is when, “the clerk’s fire is very small the clerk’s fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. But he couldn’t replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so surely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination, he failed” (7). Scrooge sees even the tiniest of waste or usage of materials a meaning for dismissal, even if the usage of materials is being used to better or help out another human. This shows Scrooges objective character because, he does not believe any materials should be used on the poor and everything thing should only be used for his own self-interest. Expanding on Scrooges ideology of objectivism is when “No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o’clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind men’s dogs appeared to know him;
The vivid images of the plight of the poor that are presented to Scrooge ultimately act as a catalyst for him to change his miserly ways in order to help the destitute and the needy in society. St the beginning of the novella Scrooge states “if they would rather die…they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”. In contrast, at the end of the novella Scrooge is depicted as a benevolent man who is “so fluttered and glowing with his good intentions”, who wished to help the lest fortunate. The personified children “Ignorance” and “Want” act as a catalyst for Scrooge to change his derisory and self-interested nature as he shows interest in the plight of the poor as he is shocked by these two “ragged, scowling” demons by saying ‘ “are there no refugee or resource?” The Ghost states that “there is no degradation, no perversion of humanity” for these “wretched, abject, frightful,” children, which makes Scrooge realise that he needs to change in order to assist them as he “hung his head, overwhelmed with penitence and grief”. This, it is illustrated in the novella that Scrooge transforms his previous, pessimistic self, into an individual who is no just self-interested, but who becomes responsible and generous to the poor by the end of the novel.
In Scrooge’s past and present, his actions had not been admirable. In reaction to this, Scrooge had closed himself off and become cold and impenetrable by any kindness. He had no empathy for others. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come changed this mindset by showing Scrooge the most severe consequences of his cold hearted actions. In
of this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is doom, unless
Charles Dickens weaves the theme of family, and all of its aspects, throughout his novel titled A Christmas Carol to create a compelling reminder of the value of perspective. The book’s main character, Scrooge, finds himself on a journey guided by three spirits, a journey which eventually serves to forever change his perspective on life. Dickens skillfully incorporates various pictures of family dynamics through all three of his “spirits”: The Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas present, and the Ghost of Christmas yet to Come, evoking sentimental feelings in both the main character, Scrooge, and the reader. This story communicates the simple yet profound message that family, love, and kindness (all of which are commonly
Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol ‘A Christmas Carol’ written by Charles Dickens tells the story of a man named Ebenezer Scrooge who is taught the true meaning of Christmas and is shown the errors of his ways. ‘A Christmas Carol’ was published in 1843, this was a time of social and political unrest. Dickens motivation for writing this story was to encourage employers to treat workers well, he uses the Christmas Carol to portray this message. Charles Dickens felt strongly about the working conditions and poverty that many people endured. He wanted to encourage employers to treat their workers well.
a prison or a treadmill; he did not think for a second that the places
Scrooge keeps the coal-box in his own room so the clerk is not able to
Set up against the rampant industrialization of the 18th century, Charles Dickens classic novella “A Christmas Carol” endorses the notion that all people have a responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of every member of society. By taking his seemingly irredeemable protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge on an other worldly journey. Dickens intends to convey to the complacent classes of the age, the necessity of various traits that are essential in life, such as the responsibility for those whom are less fortunate and other vital traits such as charity, generosity and simply caring for others. Dickens warns the reader of the consequences that will follow if these lessons are not taken into consideration.
Scrooge's mean attitude was demonstrated when he said to his nephew, “What right have you to be Merry? You're poor enough" This is the first indication that Scrooge was not in the Christmas spirit as he was not joyful. This is also an indication that Scrooge was greedy and
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
money to the poor. He thinks of them as idle and he states that if
spirit of the characters develops into an adventurous journey. The setting is Christmas Eve and a poor man is working diligently while the owner, Ebenezer Scrooge, refuses to let him have Christmas Day off. Later that night at Scrooge's house, his old, dead, partner in business, Marley, visits him and tells him to change his ways and that three ghosts will come to haunt him: The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and The Ghost of Christmas Future. They all show him scenes in which Scrooge realizes his guilt and eventually make Christmas a better time for everyone he originally affected. Scrooge changes from a cold-hearted miser,
old sinner! Hard as a steel and sharp as a flint, from which no steel
Let's go back and contrast what Scrooge is also faced with here. He is told that all he cares about is
Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ presents a warning to society through the representation of characters and the journey and transformation of the notorious miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. Dickens warns society of the grim future that awaits humanity if people fail to respond to the plight of the poor. Finally, if Dickens intentions weren’t made clear enough through these examples, his preface says it all. “I have endeavoured in this ghostly little book, to raise the ghost of an idea…May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and