A Christmas Carol Analysis - 1123 Words

While Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, gives an account of one wealthy man’s insight towards the lower class, Steven Johnson’s work, Ghost Map, explores the hardships endured by the lower class in Soho, a poor area of London in the 1850’s. The two pieces of literature work in conjunction to examine how the quality of life during these times was affected by the disparity between classes. Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist in A Christmas Carol, demonstrates early in the novel how the rich are quick to turn their backs on the poor. Though Scrooge was just one man, his actions reflect how the rich generally viewed the poor. Living in poverty was understood to be a punishment, which was unappealing to the remainder of society. The†¦show more content†¦Interestingly, the Ghost of Christmas Present would raise the point that the continual problem of contaminated water pump was not only destroying the London community as a whole, but also the fam ily unit. Values of a lower class family consisted of providing for each other and being able to come together and share joy despite external conditions. The Ghost of Christmas Present demonstrates this to Scrooge as the two look upon the Cratchit Family and Mrs. Cratchit admits â€Å"she had her doubts about the quantity of flour† yet â€Å"everybody had something to say about it, but nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family† (Dickens 61). This statement reveals this aspect of family life within the lower classes as no one was considering mentioning the sparse amount of food, yet they found joy. The Ghost of Christmas Present would put blame on the elite in a situation such as this as cholera dismantles the essence of a family, as it does an individual. Discussed time and time again, the poor have bigger things to worry about than the water they are drinking. To this date, people generally do not drink water and think that it will be the means to t heir end. Similarly, in 1854, people were likely more focused on contributing to their family to ensure survival. Furthermore, the Ghost of Christmas Present may have explained the outbreakShow MoreRelatedA Christmas Carol Analysis1141 Words   |  5 Pageswrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. This short novel has a Christmas theme and has been popular since it was first published. This moral story is about an old man called Scrooge who hates Christmas and is mean to everyone, but he is transformed. The lessons he learns are as much for the reader to benefit from as Scrooge. His transformation is the key event in the novel and the reader clearly sees Scrooge before and after his experiences. This process will now be explored more fully. A Christmas CarolRead MoreA Christmas Carol Analysis1036 Words   |  5 PagesCharles Dickens’s main character in â€Å"A Christmas Carol†. This play is about the story of a man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who was greedy, loved money, and had a heart that was hardened toward Christmas. Charles Dickens wrote this story to help expose the suffering of the poor and to convince readers that conditions need to be corrected. Through the visitations of three spirits, Scrooge learned why he had become greedy, how much he had missed out on by avoiding Christmas, and that he was capable of becomingRead MoreA Christmas Carol Analysis1409 Words   |  6 PagesThe novels A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, and Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte display a strong parallel in the ways in which they use their different styles of narration in the story to reveal the true inner-feelings of characters. In A Christmas Carol, the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is taught many valuable lessons through the testament of three different spirits, each working to bring out the true emotions of this man. Likewise, in Wuthering Heights, the main character, Mr. LockwoodRead MoreChristmas Carol Analysis679 Words   |  3 PagesCesar Granda E.G 121 When reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens you realize that Scrooge’s childhood has a huge impact on his adult life, his adult self is a mirror image of his child self, both in his emotions and relationships. This becomes apparent when the ghost of Christmas past appears and takes Scrooge on a journey back into his childhood days. His childhood really molds Scrooge into the person he becomes later in life. Scrooge was a lonely and withdrawn child becauseRead MoreA Christmas Carol Analysis707 Words   |  3 PagesA Christmas Carol Discussion By Kalana A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a story about a man who is stingy, rude and solitary. His name is Scrooge, and he gets taught many lessons. Scrooge comes out a changed man who is optimistic and happy. The lessons he gets taught is not only for him but also for Dickens readers. Throughout this text, there many situations where usual readers can relate to. In other parts of the text, there are moments that are rare and have a massive impact on ScroogesRead MoreThe Christmas Carol Character Analysis1006 Words   |  5 Pages During the book â€Å"The Christmas Carol† by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge changed very much, during the beginning of the book he was a cold hearted person but by the end of the book he was a jolly old man. The Christmas Carol started off with Scrooge at his business partner, Marley, funeral. It said that: â€Å"And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain.† ScroogeRead More Analysis of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Essays3690 Words   |  15 PagesAnalysis of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol is a novel written by Charles Dickens (1812-1870) during the Victorian age, an era that took its name from Queen Victoria, England titular ruler from 1819-1901. Under Queen Victoria’s rule, London reigned the worlds dominate city country and the country’s incomparable center of commerce, culture and government. At this time London’s industrial age contributed to a large share of the manpower and capital that brought theRead MoreAnalysis Of A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens1395 Words   |  6 PagesMore than Just a Novel for the Christmas Season Christmas, the most joyous season of the year for many Christians. Yet, in the early Victorian era many industry and business leaders started to emerge as people who lacked the spirit of giving of kindness, particularly around Christmas. Charles Dickens, in eighteen forty-three penned a novel that to this day is one of the most beloved books of the Christmas season. Many view the book only as a seasonal novel to read as a young child or even an adultRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Scrooge In A Christmas Carol1524 Words   |  7 PagesDicken’s A Christmas Carol is a stubborn character that insists on his lone, grumpy life. His outlook on life had been skewed ever since his beautiful fiancà © Belle left him after she saw his love of money and wealth only growing. Scrooge lost the love of his life to greed yet he still holds tightly to it. Although many in his life have extended a warm hand to show him love and kindness, he has rejected it coldly. As Scrooge’s narcissist ic and selfish attitude only grow with time, three Christmas ghostsRead MoreAnalysis Of Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, And A Tale Of Two Cities2379 Words   |  10 Pagesunknowingly sparked the social changes in nineteenth century London by exposing the harsh conditions of the lower class through the life of an innocent child. Charles Dickens, born February 7, 1812, wrote many classic novels including Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens grew up in a lower class family, because of that his father, John Dickens, was arrested and put in jail for debt when Charles was twelve years old. Soon after this, Dickens had to stop school and go into work