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The main character, Ebeneezer Scrooge, starts off having no feelings for others or any Christmas spirit, but changes from his gloomy, dark appearance to a carefree, child-like persona at the end. Dickens shows in A Christmas Carol that personal greed will lead to peril, while kindness and generosity lead to personal happiness. One of Dickens social concerns was the lack of sympathy or feelings that people have toward other people. In the story, Scrooge had no feelings toward his family or friends and held a strictly professional relationship with them, creating a hostile bond between them. For example, Bob Cratchit's wife does not like the idea have toasting to Scrooge because of the way he treats his long time employee. Also, Scrooge is looked down upon by the charity collectors because he simply states that they should die to accommodate the others who need it.
Secondly, society has a negative view on Scrooge because of his attitudes and shows no feelings or compassion for Scrooge in the future. For example, the thieves are able to steal Scrooge's possessions because no body cares about Scrooge or his things. Also, the businessmen that Scrooge does business with regularly show no feelings about his death and go to his funeral simply for food. Dicken's shows a way to resolve the problem by simply treating others how you want them to treat you. At the end Scrooge's attitude changes and changes in how society will treat him are shown to be inevitable. Another social concern is the priority of family over money and personal gains.
Money proves to be the golden idol that is worshipped by the people in the Christmas Carol, but also proves to destroy lives. For example, Scrooge gives up a chance at having a loving family when he chooses money over his girlfriend Belle, who turns out to have a happy family with another loving husband. Also, Scrooge's old business partner, Marley, put his life to waste because of money and suffers pain in his afterlife which could have been easily avoided. A Christmas Carol also shows that people can be happy without money, just as long as the love is genuine. For example, Scrooge's nephew married happily not to a wealthy lady, but a middle class ordinary woman and are happy together. Also Bob Cratchit's family, despite poverty and lack of food, still have a loving environment that keeps the family together and happy.
Dickens shows that simply sacrificing for friends and family can bring happiness and joy. Scrooge doubles Bob Cratchit's salary while showing his appreciation and visits his nephew resulting in a stronger bond that money can not buy... Another social concern that Dicken's portrays in A Christmas Carol is that people do not know the true meaning of Christmas; Scrooge throughout the story is given opportunities to display Christmas acts but requires the assistance of the three spirits. First, he was invited to dinner at his nephews, but he bluntly refused calling Christmas a humbug. Family is the most important part of Christmas and should always take priority. Scrooge already failed at an attempt at family and had a chance to make amends with his sister's son.
Secondly, Scrooge also refused to donate any money that he hoards to the needy when the charity collectors come to collect. Even though Scrooge has more than enough to generously donate and spread around, he refuses to donate saying that he pays enough in taxes. Christmas should be a time of generosity and a time to help those who are not as fortunate. In the story Scrooge realizes his lack of compassion and donates generously and takes up his nephews offer.
Dicken's A Christmas Carol shows universal themes that society should learn to live by everyday and not just holidays or special occasions. Scrooge learns these lessons with the visit of three spirits and a journey into his painful past and future so he could see his attitude toward people and societies attitude towards him; this allows him to change and create a new path for himself other than the one set out. A Christmas Carol makes readers aware of their personal attitudes and presents a way to change for the better. Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Christmas Carol Dickens Shows
