Symbolism In A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens

Dickens uses the supernatural as a method of holding a mirror up to Scrooge who is forced to confront the error of his ways. Dickens shows us that if Scrooge fails to do this it will result in him having a similar fate to Marley. Dickens uses the ghost to emphasize that there is a chance of redemption for Scrooge “that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate”. Dickens’ use of the supernatural continues throughout the story as a means of arousing nostalgia, thought, fear and action by Scrooge. All of these emotions, which Dickens shows us Scrooge is feeling, demonstrate the gradual change in Scrooge throughout the book, and as these changes take place, our thoughts and feelings towards the relationship we have with Scrooge also changes; we begin to understand him and see under his hard outer shell.

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

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was first published in London on the 19th of December 1843, the novella was instantly popular and still is to this day. Dickens inspiration for the short story seems to come from his childhood experiences and his sympathy for the poor. In the story a miserable old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, is shown the error of his ways and what will come of it if he doesn’t make drastic changes. Various ghosts and spirits slowly transform him into a kinder more pleasant man. A Christmas Carol is a powerful novella that uses symbolism like the children Ignorance and Want, Scrooge’s transformation, and Scrooges nephew Fred, to reinforce significant themes like social isolation, rebirth, and family.

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

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserable and greedy old man, who focuses mainly on his business and continues with his greedy ways on Christmas Eve. He is always grumpy and yells at his employees, and most of all at Bob Cratchit. Scrooge’s desire is to be by himself on Christmas Eve, and rejects his nephew Fred’s, invitation for dinner. One night, the ghost of Jacob Marley, a former colleague of Scrooge, who has passed away seven years ago, visits the old man. Marley reminds Scrooge of his cruel lifestyle and encourages him to change it before it is too late. He tells Scrooge that three spirits will visit him. When Scrooge falls asleep, The Ghost of Christmas Past visits him first. The Ghost shows him scenes from the past the reveal Scrooges’ live; from a lonesome young boy to a man who has allowed greed to overcome his life, a man who does not know love and compassion. Scrooge is touched by what he has seen and even allows emotions to overcome his stone-cold heart. Secondly, the Ghost of Christmas Present visits Scrooge. The Ghost takes Scrooge to several Christmas celebrations, including the party at Fred’s house. Also the Ghost takes Scrooge to the Crachit’s house, and warns him that unless the future is changed the crippled young son of Bob, Tiny Tim will die. The ghost warns Scrooge to be carful of his ignorance. Lastly the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come visits Scrooge. The old man becomes aware that several people discuses the death of someone. At last, he learns that this is

The first of the three spirits was the spirit of Christmas past. The spirit of Christmas past took ol’ dolorous Scrooge to see his past childhood. The text states that “they passed through Scrooge’s wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either end.” This city had vanished in present time. “Good Heaven! Said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, as he looked about him. ‘I was bred in this place, I was a boy here.” The significance is that Scrooge learns to not be such a gargantuan jerk. Scrooge’s feelings are as if he is being tortured by the spirit of Christmas past. As you would expect, Scrooge hated watching his childhood past, and begs the spirit of Christmas past to dispel him from his childhood. Scrooge very much is gargantuanly odious of watching his childhood, as he cannot bear it. The ghost of Christmas past takes Scrooge back.

Looking at the Ghost, he realizes he has visibly aged. Learning that the ghost only lives a day and his time is almost up, he shows Scrooge one last image, It is two poor and angry children named Ignorance and Want. Scrooge asks if they have shelter and the spirit repeats his works back to him saying “are there no prisons? Are there not workhouses?”(Dickens 50). With this the clock strikes 12 and the Ghost of Christmas Present disappears and in the distance Scrooge sees a dark phantom creeping towards

The text explicitly states Scrooge, a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous, old sinner has passed away. According to the text, he despises many things such as happiness, humor, and even Christmas. From the reading, I know that he is depressed all the time, consequently his mental state has led him to call other people stupid, dumb, and idiots. On page three, in the conversation with his nephew Fred, Scrooge insults his nephew about marrying and loving his wife. The text states, that he also “seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the frost and even more congenial frost.” From the reading I know that Scrooge isn’t a people person and is very down about life. Based on the text he doesn’t really like being around them. For example Scrooge didn’t donate any money to the poor, and blew off his nephew about spending Christmas with them. In the text it states that there is no wind as bare as Scrooge, this means he doesn't really care or doesn't have many feelings.

By this part in the novel, dickens introduced the next Ghost, the Ghost of Christmas Present. The ghost of Christmas present takes Scrooge to his clerk`s house. Here he witness the unfortunate conditions of their Christmas, however, it doesn’t appear to be so unfortunate at all; although Scrooge notices how Tiny Tim is crippled and at deaths door. He is moved by this sight, and that of his clerk’s family. He had never imagined their lives to be like this before; however it’s astonishing to him, that although extremely poor, they are full of joy and happiness. He notices the simple pleasures of family life as well. Furthermore something strange begins to happen, he sympathises with Tiny Time, who Scrooge understands will die without financial help. Dickens has showed us how scrooge is changing and learning to sympathise, a “skill” he previously didn’t have. "Spirit," said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, "tell me if Tiny Tim will live." ' Dickens once more showing us scrooges new found affections. Additionally when the Spirit predicts “an empty chair if things do not change”, Scrooge is quite

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol presents to the reader the transformation of an egotistic, miserable man, named Ebenezer Scrooge, to a compassionate and merrier elderly who finds the true perception of Christmas. Good afternoon, my name is Hayley Harris-Organ; I am here before you to address the importance of studying the humorous yet stern approach to Scrooge’s plight in the novella A Christmas Carol. This short novel acknowledges the threat of holding a selfish life. The author makes a clear reference to greed, cost on fate and redemption in the text.

In 'A Christmas Carol', Charles Dickens represents Scrooge as an unsympathetic man who is offered the opportunity to redeem himself. Through use of language, the reader is positioned to view him adversely, but during the journey of morality lessons shown by three spirits, Scrooge recovers his sense of joy by undergoing a significant transformation. Scrooge seeks redemption through the many lessons taught by the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

Using the first spirit, Scrooge was forced to face the fact that people viewed him as greedy and selfish, and began to open him up to the fact that he needs to change. The second spirit, The Ghost of Christmas Present, arrived and took Scrooge to the home of a worker of his, Bob Cratchit. It showed the family content, despite barely getting by. When Scrooge saw Bob’s sick son, he began to show worry that he would not survive. When the spirit told him that the son would not make it to next Christmas, this made Scrooge want to help him. This kind of emotion was unlike him, showing that he was changing (CC40). The spirit then took him to several other Christmas gatherings, where he enjoyed himself and played many games, even though he was merely in a dream. This spirit was used to open up Scrooge and showed his inner want to be around people. These thoughts for Scrooge were different than his from the beginning of the novel, showing that the spirits were being used to teach valuable lessons to Scrooge. The final spirit arrived, but would not answer when asked if he was the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Scrooge plead with the ghost to share his lesson with him, fearful of becoming like Marley (CC51). The silent spirit took Scrooge to a series of strange places, showing people discussing the death of a dead rich man. He then began to understand the

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

Scrooge is a very mean person and he doesn't care for anyone, he will be an old miser and he could care less about anything in the world except himself.He does mean stuff all the time liked decline charity and he doesn't even wanna make the world a better place.He even declined his nephews invite to a Christmas party now that's mean and when he's asked to donate for charity he is too much of a greedy soul to do anything to help anyone and he says that they need to go to a workhouse or prison, He doesn't care about anyone and he ignores everyone and could care less about the world's problems. He thinks that that is ok and then he gets a visit from a ghost saying that three ghosts are gonna come get him and that he shouldn't have been that greedy and he is gonna get a visit from them. Scrooge is freaking out and it takes him a while and he eventually gets sent to bed. In my opinion, though he is acting like that because Marley died and he is emotionally depressed and he takes his pain out on others because he is very said that's just my opinion.