Scrooge is too greedy to be charitable, and Marley was the same way. Stave 1. he sends a turkey to the … They did not fret over the shiftless poor. On the other hand many Victorian-era prisons and workhouses truly were a Fate Worse Than Death. Scrooge himself does not die a lonely death, but becomes a pillar of the community. The spirit touched him on the arm, and pointed to his younger self, intent upon his reading. 4 Scrooge and Fred are shown as opposites. The two men who ask Scrooge for aid are not asking for … What does this visit tell us about Marley? One gentleman claims many would rather die. The protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge is used to demonstrate the upper class society and their attitude towards the poor. The answer, I think, is in the next lines — “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Why does the young caroler flee from Scrooges door? The treadmill, poor law, and union workhouses to which Scrooge refers were all punitive government ways of either helping the poor or of giving the poor an incentive not to be poor. While observing the Cratchit family with the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge is overcome with grief when he inquires of the spirit why the seat at the table that once belonged to Tiny Tim is now vacant. “Let me see some tenderness connected with a death,” said Scrooge; “or that dark chamber, Spirit, which we left just now, will be for ever present to me.” The Ghost conducted him through several streets familiar to his feet; and as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to find himself, but nowhere was he to be seen. What actions does Scrooge perform on Christmas day? Scrooge asks if the prisons and workhouses are still in operation, and whether The Treadmill and Poor Law are in effect. 3 They suggest the clerk works in a dark and confined space equivalent to a prison cell. Fezziwig is better off giving money to the poor and being happy unlike Scrooge who has so much money but does not share at all he dislikes wasting money he dislikes spending his money altogether. 16. Tiny Tim is among the most famous disabled characters in literature. Although he doesn't advocate outright killing the poor, in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge does advocate the poor offing themselves, which later comes back to bite him during the Christmas Present sequence. Why does Scrooge’s fiancée release him from the engagement? The scene changes and Scrooge is at the plundered bed of the corpse. What did Dickens want to change? The virtuous characters, Fred Scrooge and his family, the Fezziwigs, and many other unnamed townspeople that Scrooge initially despises, all bring music into Scrooge’s life, be it through laughter, dancing or the joyful chanting of “Merry Christmas!”. “It’s not my business,” Scrooge … Scrooge suggests "had better do it, and decrease the surplus population” (about the poor children of London), Scrooge is disgusted at his own words and is concerned for Tiny Tim and his family. Light in Death Note hints that, after eliminating crime, he would rid his new world of the unemployed. By presenting this alternative early on, Dickens gives the reader hope that Scrooge will be able to join the 'role models' in society and help the poor. Which institutions does Scrooge tell his visitors are there to take care of the poor? Why does Scrooge’s fiancée release him from the engagement? Why does the Ghost of C. Future show Scrooge Tiny Tim's death? Why does Scrooge resent having to give Cratchit Christmas Day as a holiday? He doesn't want to part with his monetary fortune and the thought of death would be the ultimate departure from it. This is a Take That! This Scrooge-like meanness does not seem to connect with Paul Ehrlich, the author of “The Population Bomb” or the Club of Rome. he wants Scrooge to see some tenderness with death, he sees that Scrooge cares about Tiny Tim's life, to show Scrooge Fred's kindness . 12. Why does Scrooge resent Fred? Scrooge dismissed their claims that the poor do not have anywhere to go by saying they can go into workhouses or prisons - these words later come back to haunt Scrooge. He is a friend to everyone, a supporter to the poor, and a man who lives life to the fullest. Scrooge was merely responding to the hyperbolic claim that they would rather die. his hands start trembling and he stops pointing. The reader expects to be introduced to Scrooge. Mrs Dilber, the laundress, the undertaker’s mand and Old Joe reinforce the suffering of the poor and the lows that they have to stoop to in order to … On the other hand many Victorian-era prisons and workhouses truly were a Fate Worse Than Death. Who visits Scrooge at his work during Stave 1? conditions in which the poor and destitute lived and worked. Not necessarily. During Marley's visit. In the course of the book/movies, Scrooge is a lot more moral when the spirits show him visions than he usually is in his day-to-day life. 13. Dickens was particularly concerned with the health, treatment and well-being of children, always among the most vulnerable members of any society. One family reacts to Scrooge's death in the alternate future this way, because Scrooge was their lender, and they anticipate either a kinder replacement or at least enough time during the transition to scrape together the money they need. He typically wears a red or blue frock coat, top hat, pince-nez glasses, and spats.He is portrayed in animation as speaking with a Scottish accent. 14. Scrooge McDuck is a cartoon character created in 1947 by Carl Barks for The Walt Disney Company.Appearing in Disney comics, Scrooge is an elderly Scottish anthropomorphic Pekin duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. On the other hand many Victorian-era prisons and workhouses truly were a Fate Worse Than Death. Their situation was that they would have the full amount of the debt to Scrooge, but a day or two after the deadline. We do not know the cause of his lameness and today we would be uneasy about calling a child a "cripple", as Tiny Tim calls himself. Which aspect of the weather is mentioned most in the first stave? 15. Men collecting money for the poor to buy food. 1 The Stave begins by talking about Marley’s death. The reason why I see the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as representing Death is that when Scrooge explores the future, he sees how the people he’s familiar with (and even people he never really met but people that are affected by his actions) react to his death, namely that nobody really mourned him. What do they want? He fears dying alone, leaving his money and personal possessions behind, & becoming like those he despises. Answered by Aslan on 11/14/2015 11:10 PM Jacob Marley, the business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge, died seven years ago. The novella contains a … In Scrooge we see a man who is transformed from a greedy, selfish miser into a generous and good-natured character by the end. Give an example or two of the ghost’s playing devil’s advocate and Scrooge correcting him. Why does he say “excuse me”? Charity 1: When the donation collectors approach Scrooge expecting a donation to help the poor at Christmas, he insists that he's done his duty to the poor by supporting the government establishments that provide aid. What does Scrooge suggest is the benefit of poor people dying? Solicitor for the Poor: Many would rather die than go there [to prison or to a workhouse]. Why did Marley visit Scrooge? Besides — excuse me — I don’t know that.” “But you might know it,” observed the gentleman. Get the entire A Christmas Carol LitChart as a printable PDF. What do the child-man images, especially with the Ghost of Christmas Past, symbolize? One gentleman claims they are, but as these fall short in helping, they try to provide additional comforts. Scrooge was merely responding to the hyperbolic claim that they would rather die. He refuses to assist any further because he's done the necessary minimum, and that's all he must do. Scrooge is either playing devil’s advocate, or he’s letting his moral sense come out in this situation. Asked by Sarah J #479711 on 11/14/2015 10:29 PM Last updated by Aslan on 11/14/2015 11:10 PM Answers 1 Add Yours. Scrooge tells the Ghost that he sees his life might turn out like the dead man's. Why does Scrooge resent Fred? In stave four, we are shown the uncaring way the businessmen behave about the death of Scrooge, although the dramatic irony here means that Scrooge is unaware. Scrooge refuses to give a contribution, as he already supports the other establishments. So, for example, anyone finding himself in poverty could enter a workhouse where he would work hard and receive some small amount of food in return. Throughout this redemption story, Dickens combines a descriptions of hardships faced by the poor with a heart-felt sentimental celebration of the Christmas season. In a shop, several people divvy up some possessions they have plundered from a man who has recently died. What "unfair" request does the clerk make of Scrooge? Scrooge is cold and closed off whereas Fred is warm and open. What do the child-man images, especially with the Ghost of Christmas Past, symbolize? This dramatic irony highlights that Scrooge is prepared to change his ways. Marley says his … Scrooge fears many things as all misers do. They think they can be happy without money . What does the Ghost of C. Future do that gives Scrooge hope? 2 Scrooge keeps the door open to ‘keep an eye on’ the clerk. Not necessarily. Dickens is trying to show the readers that even having to be poor and going through tough times with getting to have a shelter and leaving in a place your family can sleep well, being happy … Why does Scrooge think Bob Crachit and Fred are "lunatics"? Marley shows up in ghost form. Not necessarily. He seized the ruler with energy action; he scared him. Redemption is the idea of being saved from sin or evil. In Scrooge saying this, it demonstrates to the reader that Scrooge does not think one could be joyous if they were not well off, and proves that he does not understand the concept of Christmas spirit. In Scrooge's vision of Tiny Tim's death, Bob remarks on how kind Scrooge's nephew was to him. Scrooge’s belief that prisons and workhouses will solve the poor’s problems was a common idea in British society at the time. Scrooge: If they'd rather die, then they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. Scrooge and the Ghost travel through a poor, run-down part of town. Give an example or two of the ghost’s playing devil’s advocate and Scrooge correcting him. He would continue this conversation with his audience until his death in 1870. What does the knocker on Scrooge’s door turn into? Scrooge was merely responding to the hyperbolic claim that they would rather die. Bob Cratchit and his family all gather round and make a toast to scrooge, even though they know he is disrespectful and “the ogre of the family”, they still thank Scrooge.