Compassion
Though this section is called compassion, I could just as easily have named it charity, or forgiveness, or even empathy, as they all helpfully describe the same idea within A Christmas Carol.
Though this section is called compassion, I could just as easily have named it charity, or forgiveness, or even empathy, as they all helpfully describe the same idea within A Christmas Carol.
In short: Dickens didn't believe that people did bad things because they were "evil," he believed that people got messed up by the world and this led them to behave badly. Scrooge is the perfect example of this.
In short: Dickens didn't believe that people did bad things because they were "evil," he believed that people got messed up by the world and this led them to behave badly. Scrooge is the perfect example of this.
Scrooge is a selfish, greedy man - he would happily watch someone starve while he ate, simply because they weren't his problem. But in the book Dickens suggests that Scrooge becomes the selfish man he is because he is a product of his society - he's so afraid of poverty that he responds by becoming money obsessed; he was rejected by his society when he was a child, and so he rejected it right back when he got older.
Scrooge is a selfish, greedy man - he would happily watch someone starve while he ate, simply because they weren't his problem. But in the book Dickens suggests that Scrooge becomes the selfish man he is because he is a product of his society - he's so afraid of poverty that he responds by becoming money obsessed; he was rejected by his society when he was a child, and so he rejected it right back when he got older.
But also, and most importantly, Dickens didn't just want to blame Scrooge, he wanted to fix him. And Dickens believed that the best way to get people to change was to empathise with them, and support them. If you think about it, this is actually quite revolutionary. It suggests that the ills in society are not ended by attacking them, but by understanding them; we shouldn't hate people who are consumed by anger, we should pity them. This was a revolutionary idea then, and it's still radical today, but if you look at Scrooge's character progression it is clear that there is at least some truth to it.
But also, and most importantly, Dickens didn't just want to blame Scrooge, he wanted to fix him. And Dickens believed that the best way to get people to change was to empathise with them, and support them. If you think about it, this is actually quite revolutionary. It suggests that the ills in society are not ended by attacking them, but by understanding them; we shouldn't hate people who are consumed by anger, we should pity them. This was a revolutionary idea then, and it's still radical today, but if you look at Scrooge's character progression it is clear that there is at least some truth to it.
The opening of the book...
The opening of the book...
During the opening of the book, Scrooge is shown to be completely without compassion - he doesn't care for anyone other than himself. He won't help the poor, he won't go to Fred's - even when it's clear that Fred would really like him there; he won't even give his employee enough coal to warm his office. Scrooge seems incapable of caring for anyone.
During the opening of the book, Scrooge is shown to be completely without compassion - he doesn't care for anyone other than himself. He won't help the poor, he won't go to Fred's - even when it's clear that Fred would really like him there; he won't even give his employee enough coal to warm his office. Scrooge seems incapable of caring for anyone.
That doesn't mean that others have to follow his lead, however, and Fred is a good example of this. Despite everything Scrooge does, Fred remains obstinately positive. He refuses to become as miserable as Scrooge is, and in fact he attempts to counter Scrooge's negative attitude with something more uplifting. The effort Fred puts into the relationship really is very impressive and is proof of the compassion he feels for his uncle. He won't give up on him.
That doesn't mean that others have to follow his lead, however, and Fred is a good example of this. Despite everything Scrooge does, Fred remains obstinately positive. He refuses to become as miserable as Scrooge is, and in fact he attempts to counter Scrooge's negative attitude with something more uplifting. The effort Fred puts into the relationship really is very impressive and is proof of the compassion he feels for his uncle. He won't give up on him.
Marley is the same. We don't know why he visits Scrooge - he might be hoping for some kind of redemption - but the fact is that he does come back and warn Scrooge about the danger he is in. The other ghosts are the same as well: they all come to see Scrooge and try to show him the error of his ways in order to help him, not to punish him.
Marley is the same. We don't know why he visits Scrooge - he might be hoping for some kind of redemption - but the fact is that he does come back and warn Scrooge about the danger he is in. The other ghosts are the same as well: they all come to see Scrooge and try to show him the error of his ways in order to help him, not to punish him.
We could spend eternity wondering as to the reasons behind why they all decided to help Scrooge, but there is one line that is particularly telling: at the beginning of Stave 1, Scrooge is said to "edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance."
We could spend eternity wondering as to the reasons behind why they all decided to help Scrooge, but there is one line that is particularly telling: at the beginning of Stave 1, Scrooge is said to "edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance."
There are two interesting phrases in here that help us think about Scrooge's character: the first is the fact that he will "edge his way," which means to move along the edge of something - he's staying out of other people's way; he doesn't attack them he avoids them. But also it is said that he "warns" other people to stay away. This is interesting as Scrooge is clearly an angry, negative person but the fact that he warns people about himself suggests that the knows what he's like and is actually - in a strange way - trying to protect them.
There are two interesting phrases in here that help us think about Scrooge's character: the first is the fact that he will "edge his way," which means to move along the edge of something - he's staying out of other people's way; he doesn't attack them he avoids them. But also it is said that he "warns" other people to stay away. This is interesting as Scrooge is clearly an angry, negative person but the fact that he warns people about himself suggests that the knows what he's like and is actually - in a strange way - trying to protect them.
Which is the final thing that really makes Scrooge quite an endearing character: he knows who he is, and isn't ashamed of it.
Which is the final thing that really makes Scrooge quite an endearing character: he knows who he is, and isn't ashamed of it.
The Portly Gentlemen come to collect their charity money at Christmas, but spend the rest of the year shamelessly drinking and eating and working on their portliness; at least Scrooge is honest enough to say that he doesn't care! Equally, Scrooge may turn down Fred's invite every year, but isn't that, in some ways, better than accepting an invite that you don't want to go to? Again, there is a refreshing honesty about Scrooge that actually makes him quite endearing and offers us clues as to why people might want to show him the compassion he needs to be saved...
The Portly Gentlemen come to collect their charity money at Christmas, but spend the rest of the year shamelessly drinking and eating and working on their portliness; at least Scrooge is honest enough to say that he doesn't care! Equally, Scrooge may turn down Fred's invite every year, but isn't that, in some ways, better than accepting an invite that you don't want to go to? Again, there is a refreshing honesty about Scrooge that actually makes him quite endearing and offers us clues as to why people might want to show him the compassion he needs to be saved...
How Scrooge changed...
How Scrooge changed...
When the Ghosts visit Scrooge they come armed with two clear strategies: Fear of the terrible things that will happen if he doesn't change; and an offer of something wonderful he can enjoy if he does. It's the latter one that we should be interested in here.
When the Ghosts visit Scrooge they come armed with two clear strategies: Fear of the terrible things that will happen if he doesn't change; and an offer of something wonderful he can enjoy if he does. It's the latter one that we should be interested in here.
Firstly, though the loneliness of Scrooge's younger years clearly damaged him, his sister did come to save him in the end - and she's clearly overjoyed that he'll be coming home. She loves him and she wants them to be together, as a family. When Scrooge remembers the moment he is touched by her love for him and he reflects on his treatment of Fred. But here, it's his sister's love that first makes him peek out from under his shell.
Firstly, though the loneliness of Scrooge's younger years clearly damaged him, his sister did come to save him in the end - and she's clearly overjoyed that he'll be coming home. She loves him and she wants them to be together, as a family. When Scrooge remembers the moment he is touched by her love for him and he reflects on his treatment of Fred. But here, it's his sister's love that first makes him peek out from under his shell.
Then he sees Belle, and although Belle is breaking up with him Scrooge remembers that he was loved once. And also, even their moment of ending, Belle talks to him "gently" and reminds him of his "nobler aspirations." She's not angry, more disappointed. She doesn't want to hurt Scrooge for what he's done, she hopes he will become more that who he is.
Then he sees Belle, and although Belle is breaking up with him Scrooge remembers that he was loved once. And also, even their moment of ending, Belle talks to him "gently" and reminds him of his "nobler aspirations." She's not angry, more disappointed. She doesn't want to hurt Scrooge for what he's done, she hopes he will become more that who he is.
The next ghost is particularly telling though: both Fred and Bob, two people Scrooge has been quite unkind to, refuse to talk about him negatively. In fact, both insist on raising a glass to him, despite the fact that both of their wives object! And Fred's speech is the most significant: "I mean to invite him every year," Fred says. "Because I pity him."
The next ghost is particularly telling though: both Fred and Bob, two people Scrooge has been quite unkind to, refuse to talk about him negatively. In fact, both insist on raising a glass to him, despite the fact that both of their wives object! And Fred's speech is the most significant: "I mean to invite him every year," Fred says. "Because I pity him."
Fred recognises that Scrooge's bad attitude has made him lonely, and, rather than attacking him for his bad attitude, he feels sorry for someone who has never known the kind of love or compassion that teaches people to be good.
Fred recognises that Scrooge's bad attitude has made him lonely, and, rather than attacking him for his bad attitude, he feels sorry for someone who has never known the kind of love or compassion that teaches people to be good.
Throughout our lives, we will meet a lot of people who will treat us badly. Dickens - like Jesus - would encourage us to turn the other cheek; to offer our enemies support; to combat hate with love. This, Dickens believed, would not just defend ourselves but could eliminate the enemy completely.
Throughout our lives, we will meet a lot of people who will treat us badly. Dickens - like Jesus - would encourage us to turn the other cheek; to offer our enemies support; to combat hate with love. This, Dickens believed, would not just defend ourselves but could eliminate the enemy completely.
What Scrooge became...
What Scrooge became...
By the end of the novel Scrooge is born again, as a new man - "quite the baby." He immediately buys the Cratchits a decent turkey, donates money to the Portly Gentleman's charity, and then goes to Fred's for dinner. The next day he gives Bob a pay-rise and Dickens declares that he spends his remaining days being a thoroughly lovable bloke. Scrooge has learned to show people compassion, but the question is: how did he learn this?
By the end of the novel Scrooge is born again, as a new man - "quite the baby." He immediately buys the Cratchits a decent turkey, donates money to the Portly Gentleman's charity, and then goes to Fred's for dinner. The next day he gives Bob a pay-rise and Dickens declares that he spends his remaining days being a thoroughly lovable bloke. Scrooge has learned to show people compassion, but the question is: how did he learn this?
As I said earlier, there were two strategies that the Ghosts used: they showed him something to fear and something to love. Though the fear of his own neglected grave was powerful, it's arguable that the stubborn, repeated demonstrations of love shown to him by Fred and Bob, in particular, were even more powerful.
As I said earlier, there were two strategies that the Ghosts used: they showed him something to fear and something to love. Though the fear of his own neglected grave was powerful, it's arguable that the stubborn, repeated demonstrations of love shown to him by Fred and Bob, in particular, were even more powerful.
