Essay Four

INTRODUCTION

In Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge has his sense of self and world view reformed by the visits of three spirits. Each of the three voyages plays an integral role in eroding his cruel and bitter nature, and augmenting his sense of compassion and gratitude. It is perhaps through these Spirits, that Dickens seeks to critique the middle-upper class of 19th century London, increasingly submerged in an environment of capitalism. Through learning the futility of greed, the perils of ignorance, and the true meaning of the Christmas spirit, Scrooge becomes an entirely changed man from the three elusive ghosts.¹

PARAGRAPH 1

The meaninglessness of excessive greed and wealth is above all revealed by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, who takes Scrooge on a grim and dull journey into future events. Scrooge is exposed to several scenes, whereby not one individual is saddened or grieved by his hypothetical death. Indeed, the “only emotion that the ghost could show him” related to Scrooge’s death, “was one of pleasure.” The indifference of Scrooge’s former businessmen, the eagerness of the thieves in the pawnshop, and the relief of the indebted husband and wife all point towards² the futility of Scrooge’s obsession with wealth and affluence. His bountiful earnings and possessions are all ultimately rendered useless in his death – condemned by the Ghost of Christmas Past as “mortal money.” This can be contrasted³ to the death of Tiny Tim, whose grim departure establishes “a tenderness connected with a death,” unlike that of Scrooge’s. Though the Cratchit household is poor and penniless, they vouch to not “forget Tiny Tim.” Dickens thus suggest that family and Christmas values, are ultimately superior to any cursory pleasure bought by wealth. As such, he warns against the perils of “Want,” embodied by the hideous and disfigured child clinging to the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Present.⁴

2. Collecting similar evidence together in a sentence like this makes for a very efficient means of covering the whole text.

3. Finding points of difference can be just as useful in creating links within a body paragraph as points of similarity.

4. Though this paragraph has largely focused on the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, there are also brief references to the significance of the other two spirits. Rather than confining the discussion to just one spirit, which would pose several limitations to the breadth of ideas, the discussion has been expanded.

PARAGRAPH 2

Furthermore, in the third stave, the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals not just the child of “Want,” but also one of “Ignorance.”⁵ Scrooge therefore also learns of the perils of this latter sinful temptation. Scrooge’s cruel indifference towards the hardships of others is made clear in the first stave. Most notably, he denies a donation to the portly gentleman for the “Poor and destitute” of London, cruelly suggesting that they seek refuge in the “prisons” and “union workhouses.” It is clear, that Scrooge is entirely ignorant to the struggles faced by the less fortunate, failing to believe that some would “rather die” than flock to these public establishments.⁶ However, upon witnessing Christmas dinner at the Cratchit household, Scrooge is exposed to the limitations imposed on the poor. Despite Tiny Tim’s fragile and sickly frame, the family nevertheless remain in good spirits. Likewise, despite the meagre size of the turkey and pudding, they are nevertheless satisfied and grateful for the meal presented to them. Scrooge’s reformation from witnessing this vision, comes to fruition in the final stave, where he makes a charitable donation to the portly gentleman, and anonymously sends over the “prize turkey” to the Cratchit household. The delight these simple actions bring Scrooge ultimately points towards the futility of ignorance and the fruitfulness of generosity

5. This topic sentence links both backwards and forwards. That is, it establishes a connection to the final sentence of the previous paragraph, whilst simultaneously outlining the focus of the current paragraph. Sentences like this allow the essay to flow smoothly and establish coherent ideas.

6. Remember that you can use very short quotes (especially if you find these easier to memorise). In fact, having very long quotes tends to come across as imprecise and unnecessary, so try to only isolate the most important language in the text to comment on.

PARAGRAPH 3

Though A Christmas Carol is an allegory for the selfish temptations of society in general, it also of course underscores the significance of the Christmas season itself. Through the visits of the three Spirits, Scrooge learns of the importance of the Christmas spirit, and the increased need for kindness, compassion and generosity during the festive season. This particular attitude fostered at Christmas time, is above all exemplified through the characters of Fred, Fran, Fezziwig, Belle, and Tiny Tim. Despite Scrooge’s ill treatment of him, Fred is nevertheless merry with his uncle, insisting that he “dine with [them] tomorrow” on Christmas Day. Moreover, Scrooge’s younger sister Fran greets him with elated excitement at his boarding school, bearing a “brimful of glee” and a “large heart.” Fezziwig is capable of livening the entire room at his Christmas Eve party merely with his richness in spirit, rather than any significant commodities. Furthermore, Belle exemplifies the importance of family at Christmas time, bearing a “laughing face” in the presence of her husband and children. Perhaps most significantly, Tiny Tim’s optimism elucidates the importance of gratitude to the Christmas Spirit. Though he is the weakest and smallest of all of his family members, he “heart[ily]” declares “God bless us, every one!” turning his back to any pessimism or bitterness. As such, through the visits of the three ghosts Scrooge is exposed to the importance of Christmas spirit, learning to foster it himself. He “did it all, and infinitely more.”⁷

CONCLUSION

Thus, Scrooge’s character is entirely reformed by the visits of the three spirits. Introduced in the first stave as a bitter and indignant businessman, Scrooge becomes in the final stave a man powered by compassion and gratitude.⁸ Ultimately, it is through the teachings of the spirits that Scrooge’s prolonged greed and ignorance erodes to give way to a revitalised Christmas spirit.