Thesis on "Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens"

Thesis 7 pages (2120 words) Sources: 6 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Characterization:

The Making of a Christmas Carol

Classical literature is classic because it contains a kernel of truth. In Charles Dickens' novel, A Christmas Carol, we find that the element of truth revolves around the nature of man. Through the themes of morality, generosity, justice, and hope, Dickens explores the nature of man and the important aspects of it. Through powerful characterization, he is able to make statements regarding the nature of man. Scrooge is one that is in dire need of a transformation. Without any type of conversion, he is doomed. The ghosts are the supernatural forces that are needed to bring Scrooge around to the type of thinking that his wealth would mean so much more if it were enjoyed by many. Dickens' story remains a classic because it is filled with hope for man and that hope is justified with morality, justice, and generosity. Without these things, man stands no chance of surviving.

Morality is a significant theme in the novel. While Scrooge may have the comfort that wealth brings, it does nothing for the state of his soul. In fact, one of the last things Scrooge is concerned about is his soul. In addition, he is not concerned about the welfare of others. When he is approached about giving to the poor and destitute, his true nature is revealed. He tells the gentlemen collecting that his wish for the season is to be left alone and he does not want to make himself merry at Christmas and he "can't afford to make idle people merry" (27). He also tells the men, "it's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's" (27). These two statements illustrate that Scrooge is not convinced that he should change his ways. He does not look at the world through a moral lens and he is quite content with his position. Scrooge's lesson in the novel is to think of others more than he thinks of himself. When he begins to perceive life through this lens, things change dramatically. At the conclusion of the novel, Scrooge realizes the importance of living a moral and just life. After the visit of the last ghost, he awakes to realize that the time he has left was "his own, to make amends in" (199). The issue is not his own wealth but what he can do for others in the time he has left. We read that he is "glowing with good intentions" (199). He also speaks of being light as a feather and happy as an angel. These thoughts and feelings represent the sentiments of one that is filled with the notion of doing good for others. Louis James asserts that Scrooge is one of the best characters in literature because he demonstrates the importance of morality in that he undergoes all of the stages of the "typical evangelical conversion" (James 55). Dickens' emphasizes Scrooge's transformation in an attempt to demonstrate what actually matters in this life. Among what does matter is not the accumulation f wealth or things but the investments we make in others.

Another significant theme is the novel is generosity. This notion goes along with morality in that the two can rarely exist without one another. Generosity is significant in the novel because it is significant to life. Dickens establishes the mood and tone of the novel early with Fred, who is in direct contrast to Scrooge. His cheerfulness cannot be explained just as Scrooge's miserly nature cannot be explained. Fred tells Scrooge asks Scrooge what reasons he has to be "dismal" (18) since he is rich enough to have all of his needs met. Scrooge attacks Fred and tells him that being cross is all that he can be when he lives in a "world of fools" (19). Scrooge's attitude toward Christmas and giving is completely negative and rather than reach out to those that barely have enough to survive, he would rather see them "boiled" (19) in their own pudding and "buried with a stake of holly" (19) through their hearts. Scrooge is displaying the absolute worst of characteristics here when he looks upon the poor and destitute as nothing but burdens instead of seeing them as an opportunity to give and spread joy. Through Scrooge's disposition, Dickens emphasizes the importance of compassion toward others and a sense of goodwill. Dickens attempts to explain that generosity comes from the heart more than anything else. It is not necessarily associated with the wealthy but more likely associated with those that have compassion upon others and simply do what they can to alleviate their suffering. The size of the gift matters not so much as the act of giving.

Justice is another theme Dickens explores in the novel. This notion is significant because it delves into the reasons behind Scrooge's transformation. Scrooge's transformation does not occur simply because he is miserly, it occurs because there is something more significantly wrong with him. Scrooge's attitude represents a sickness that afflicts society as a whole. This sickness includes ignoring those in need, exploiting those less fortunate, and abusing the most needy. Scrooge only wants to help those in the way that he wishes to help them. Early in the novel, he is not filled with one bit of compassion for the needy. In fact, he refers to them as a "surplus population" (26). His sentiment reflects an attitude that is shared by many who refuse to share what they have with others. The Second Spirit's warning to beware of ignorance and want emphasizes Dickens' sentiment toward selfish individuals. The ghost tells Scrooge, "Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy [ignorance], for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased" (Dickens 158). Dickens message I that ignorance is no respecter of persons and wealth cannot prevent one from becoming ignorant. In fact, wealth might lead to much ignorance because it allows people to place a shield around themselves so they do not have to endure the world's lack. In addition, want and desire lead to such callous attitudes that wreck the best qualities of humanity. It is through Scrooge's transformation, that we see some justice. Scrooge is aware of the power he has with wealth -- it is the power to do good things for many. Louis James notes that A Christmas Carol equates "social reform with Scrooge's change of heart" (James 217). Edgar Johnson states that Scrooge exemplifies the type of "coldhearted arrogance and injustice" (Johnson) that exists in the world. He adds, "Its consequences do not end with the cruelties it inflicts upon the masses of the people or the evils it works in society. It injures Scrooge as well. All the more generous impulses of humanity he has stifled and mutilated in himself" (Johnson). However, as with Scrooge, Dickens does hold out for hope. The fact that such a cold-hearted man can change promises that almost anyone can change.

Characterization is important in the A Christmas Carol, with the most compelling characters being the ghosts. Johnson maintains, "Marley's Ghost is the symbol of divine grace, and the three Christmas Spirits are the working of that grace through the agencies of memory, example and fear" (Johnson). Ghosts are significant characters to the story's overall message because they represent something otherworldly and therefore, more powerful. Lucie Armitt asserts that the story has elements of the "allegorical quest in it, the ghosts taking on the roles we would expect angels to fulfill in a Christian allegory" (Armitt 177). She states that the novel can be seen as a ghost story and A Christmas Carol is like a ghost story in that it refers to "time travel in the sense that clock time dominates" (180). The ghosts are necessary because Scrooge needs spirits from another realm to shake him from his current state of mind. If the pitiable poor and the faces of the needy cannot change the man, then he requires forces that are greater than he is. Without the ghosts and their message, it is with certainty that Scrooge would never have been able to change his heart.

Scrooge is another powerful character in the story. Without him and his transformation, there would be no story to tell and it is his transformation that makes the story worth telling. Instead of having him die a lonely man with no one to attend his funeral, dickens gives him the second chance that many in his position need. Johnson states, that Scrooge is the "embodiment of all that concentration upon material power and callous indifference to the welfare of human beings that the economists had erected into a system, businessmen and industrialists pursued relentlessly, and society taken for granted as inevitable and proper" (Johnson). Scrooge represents the entire lot of the population that intends to serve itself regardless of the state of others. He adds, "The conversion of Scrooge… READ MORE

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