Essay Three

INTRODUCTION

In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens foregrounds the true definition of the idealised Christmas spirit comes to the forefront of the novella. Dickens employs the inherent selfishness of Scrooge as a broader critique of the middle-upper classes of 19th century London, serving to contrast the optimism and festive joy of fundamental characters like Tiny Tim, Fezziwig, Belle, Fran, and Fred. It is through these characters, the visits of the three spirits and Scrooge’s dramatic character arc, that Dickens defines and illuminates the vital significance of Christmas spirit. For Dickens, Christmas spirit extends beyond the brief festive season itself, and provides a model for year-long generosity, compassion and gratitude.¹

PARAGRAPH 1

Dickens establishes a stark contrast between Ebenezer Scrooge’s past, present and future self in an attempt to portray the decrescendo and subsequent crescendo of Scrooge’s belief in Christmas and all of its associated qualities. In the first stave, Scrooge is characterised as harsh, selfish and disinterested. In essence, he is the antithesis of Christmas cheer and delight. The exclamatory litany of Scrooge as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!” conjures the imagery of an angered and grouchy old man, cynical towards his surroundings.² Likewise, Scrooge’s repetitive exclamation “humbug!” neatly summarises his dismissive attitude towards the significance of Christmas beyond gluttony, decorations and other commercial aspects. Dickens repeatedly characterises Scrooge with an air of frostiness, employing both internal and external cold as a means of figuratively reflecting his icy attitude. The imagery of the “frosty rime [...] on his forehead’ and his “iced” office establish a sense of literal and metaphorical coldness. This can be juxtaposed with the typically warm and bright associations of the Christmas spirit. It is Scrooge’s transformation by the fifth stave, which serves to reflect these latter ideas of warmth. He sends the “prize turkey” to the Cratchit household, makes a charitable donation to the “portly gentlemen,” and arrives at Fred’s house for Christmas dinner. It is not commodities and commercialism which epitomizes the meaning of Christmas spirit.³ Rather, through Scrooge’s character development, Dickens suggests that the Christmas spirit can be considered as an attitude defined by hope and compassion.

2. Here, we are engaging with the ‘how’ part of the prompt. A ‘how’ question invites you to consider the conscious choices an author has made in an attempt to establish meaning – in this case, the Christmas spirit. As such, most ‘how’ prompts lend themselves towards discussing literary techniques. The first body paragraph explores a couple of these, ensuring that Dickens’ construction of the novella is being adequately considered.

3. Once more, we are exploring the definition of the ‘Christmas spirit.’ Christmas is generally associated with highly commercialised ideas of food, presents, decorations etc. Dickens however, attempts to balance these aspects with the idealised attitude of gratitude and generosity which epitomise the Christmas spirit.

PARAGRAPH 2

The respective visits of the three Spirits each provide Scrooge with a fundamental message which form Dickens’ ideal interpretation of the Christmas spirit. The Ghost of Christmas Past reveals several memories of Scrooge’s childhood and young adulthood, many of which depict the typically merry and gleeful associations of Christmas. Most notably, Fezziwig’s Christmas Eve party embodies the true culmination of the Christmas spirit. Though Fezziwig has spent “but a few pounds” in funding the party, it is not the commodities which contribute to the magical atmosphere. Rather, it is Fezziwig’s enthusiasm and optimism which creates a “happiness [...] quite as great as if it cost a fortune.” Furthermore,⁴ the Ghost of Christmas Present counsels against the perils of Want and Ignorance, suggesting that the Christmas spirit must be devoid of these two human temptations. The frightening imagery of the two decrepit children which moan and drawl at the foot of the Spirit’s robe, return the reader’s attention back to the first stave, where Scrooge’s greed and ignorance were demonstrated at best. His refusal to donate even a penny to the “Poor and destitute” of London, his cruel treatment of Bob Cratchit, and his refusal to dine at his nephew Fred’s house on Christmas form the antithesis⁵ of the Christmas spirit. Similarly, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come illuminates the futility of wealth and greed. The two sinister temptations of Want and Ignorance ultimately disintegrate into meaninglessness in death, and leave behind only a sorrowful and cruel legacy of their beholder. Dickens thus posits that the essence of the true Christmas spirit is to parade their virtues and goodwill in life, so that they may enjoy a peaceful parting.⁶ Ultimately, Scrooge’s voyages with the three Spirits each contribute a certain meaning to the Christmas spirit, whilst also revealing a host of characters who embody this spirit at its best.⁷

4. Note the use of linking words to smoothly transition between ideas and examples.

5. This is a great work to describe just how opposed Scrooge is to the notion of Christmas and generosity at the start of the novella.

6. Note the use of authorial sentences in this essay. In order to truly answer a ‘how’ question, you must constantly engage with the author’s particular construction of the text. Beginning your sentences with the author’s name allows you to do so in an effortless way.

7. Just as you can link from idea to idea (as seen above), you can also link from paragraph to paragraph. This distinguishes a good linking sentence, from an average one. When you can connect your ideas between the paragraphs, you are on your way to establishing a fluid and coherent essay where everything flows seamlessly. This can be contrasted to an essay which may have some great individual ideas, but is overall jumpy and disjointed. In order to link both ‘backwards’ (from the current paragraph) and ‘forwards’ (to the next paragraph), you need to address the central ideas of both paragraphs by linking these to the prompt.

PARAGRAPH 3

Charles Dickens employs several characters as vessels of the idealistic Christmas spirit, in order to underscore its significance in contrast to the superficial commodities of Christmas, and the pessimism of characters like Scrooge. Tiny Tim, the Cratchit household, Fezziwig, Fran, Belle, and Fred are all examples of this.⁸ The Cratchit family embody the virtue of gratitude and hope. Despite their economic scarcity and Tiny Tim’s debilitating illness, the family enjoy their Christmas with thanksgiving and glee. Despite the meagre size of the goose and the even smaller pudding, the children are nevertheless delighted by the humble meal presented to them. In particular, Tiny Tim, despite his weak and fragile frame appears to be the most grateful of all, genuinely declaring “god bless us, every one!”⁹ The fact that Dickens chooses to conclude the novella with this very exclamation, points to Tiny Tim as the greatest embodiment of true Christmas spirit. Likewise, Fezziwig embodies the necessary enthusiasm and joviality of Christmas spirit, much like Scrooge’s younger sister Fran. Fred’s forgiveness and optimism are also espoused by Dickens, who greets his uncle with persistent kindness despite Scrooge’s bitter reluctance. Rather than castigating the “old man,” Fred and his family innocently tease him as reminiscent of a “bear,” and wish him a sincere “Merry Christmas and an Happy New Year.” As for Scrooge’s former fiancé Belle, she symbolises the qualities of humility and gratitude. She condemns Scrooge’s newfound greed and “changed nature,” suggesting that the Christmas spirit entails more than just glee and merriment, but also encompasses deeper virtues of thanksgiving. Through these characters, Dickens seeks to establish the vital importance of Christmas spirit in a world where superficialities and commodities appear to dominate.¹⁰

8. This is an effective listing method which condenses lots of evidence that we will then unpack in this paragraph.

9. Here, we have referred to the quote in the essay prompt in a smooth and subtle way. The accompanying quote should always be addressed somewhere in the essay, and it fits in nicely into this section where we have chosen to discuss Tiny Tim.

10. It is important to always tie the conclusion of the paragraph back to the prompt. It is not enough to simply discuss ‘Christmas spirit’ generally. Rather, we must discuss its ‘significance.’

CONCLUSION

In essence, the true meaning of Christmas spirit comes to the forefront of the novella, providing a model for the antidote to increasing selfishness and ignorance in 19th century London.¹¹ For Dickens, therefore, Christmas spirit is more than an attitude which should be adopted strictly during the festive season. Rather, it is a permanent and lasting virtue which should be carried and executed year-long.