A Christmas Carol, although occurring at a different time period than today, still holds
values and lessons that are important in society today. The main character, Ebeneezer
Scrooge, starts off having no feelings for others or any Christmas spirit, but changes
from his gloomy, dark appearance to a carefree, child-like persona at the end. Dickens
shows in A Christmas Carol that personal greed will lead to peril, while kindness and
generosity lead to personal happiness.
One of Dickens social concerns was the lack of sympathy or feelings that people have
toward other people. In the story, Scrooge had no feelings toward his family or friends
and held a strictly professional relationship with them, creating a hostile bond between
them. For example, Bob Cratchit's wife does not like the idea have toasting to Scrooge
because of the way he treats his long time employee. Also, Scrooge is looked down upon
by the charity collectors because he simply states that they should die to accommodate
the others who need it. Secondly, society has a negative view on Scrooge because of his
attitudes and shows no feelings or compassion for Scrooge in the future. For example,
the thieves are able to steal Scrooge's possessions because no body cares about Scrooge
or his things. Also, the businessmen that Scrooge does business with regularly show no
feelings about his death and go to his funeral simply for food. Dicken's shows a way to
resolve the problem by simply treating others how you wa
nt them to treat you. At the end Scrooge's attitude changes and changes in how society
will treat him are shown to be inevitable.
Another social concern is the priority of family over money and personal gains. Money
proves to be the golden idol that is worshipped by the people in the Christmas Carol, but
also proves to destroy lives. For example, Scrooge gives up a chance at having a loving
family when he chooses money over his girlfriend Belle, who turns out to have a happy
family with another loving husband. Also, Scrooge's old business partner, Marley, put
his life to waste because of money and suffers pain in his afterlife which could have
been easily avoided. A Christmas Carol also shows that people can be happy without
money, just as long as the love is genuine. For example, Scrooge's nephew married
happily not to a wealthy lady, but a middle class ordinary woman and are happy together.
Also Bob Cratchit's family, despite poverty and lack of food, still have a loving
environment that keeps the family together and happy. Dickens shows that simply
sacrificing for friends and family can bring happiness and joy. Scrooge doub
les Bob Cratchit's salary while showing his appreciation and visits his nephew resulting
in a stronger bond that money can not buy..
Another social concern that Dicken's portrays in A Christmas Carol is that people do not
know the true meaning of Christmas; Scrooge throughout the story is given opportunities
to display Christmas acts but requires the assistance of the three spirits. First, he
was invited to dinner at his nephews, but he bluntly refused calling Christmas a humbug.
Family is the most important part of Christmas and should always take priority. Scrooge
already failed at an attempt at family and had a chance to make amends with his sister's
son. Secondly, Scrooge also refused to donate any money that he hoards to the needy when
the charity collectors come to collect. Even though Scrooge has more than enough to
generously donate and spread around , he refuses to donate saying that he pays enough in
taxes. Christmas should be a time of generosity and a time to help those who are not as
fortunate. In the story Scrooge realizes his lack of compassion and donates generously
and takes up his nephews offer.
Dicken's A Christmas Carol shows universal themes that society should learn to live by
everyday and not just holidays or special occasions. Scrooge learns these lessons with
the visit of three spirits and a journey into his painful past and future so he could see
his attitude toward people and societies attitude towards him; this allows him to change
and create a new path for himself other than the one set out. A Christmas Carol makes
readers aware of their personal attitudes and presents a way to change for the better.
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