What does scrooge regret as he watches each scene from the past unfold?

Answer 1

In stave 2 when the Ghost of Christmas Past and Scrooge visited Scrooge's childhood, Scrooge regretted sending the young caroler on his way and not giving him something to help him out.

1. "What is the matter?" asked the Spirit.
2. "Nothing," said Scrooge.
3. "Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that's all."

Also, in stave 2 when the ghost and Scrooge visited Scrooge's old boss Fezziwig, Scrooge remembered how good, kind and happy his boss was to him and to others. Scrooge then regrets not treating his employee Bob Cratchit the same way his boss had treated him. Scrooge then wished he could see and talk to Bob.

1. "What is the matter?" asked the Ghost.
2. "Nothing in particular," said Scrooge.
3. "Something, I think?" the Ghost insisted.
4. "No," said Scrooge, "No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now! That's all."

In stave 2 when the ghost and Scrooge visit Belle, Scrooge realizes what he lost out on and what could have been. Scrooge regrets choosing money over love and not having a family.

1. And when he thought that such another creature, quite as graceful and as full of promise,

   might have called him father, and been a spring-time in the haggard winter of his life, his sight grew very dim indeed.

In stave 3 when the Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge visit the Cratchit house, Scrooge is deeply saddened to learn that Tiny Tim will die if things don't change. Two times, the ghost uses Scrooge's words against him, and Scrooge regrets what he said and realizes that it was wrong of him.

1. "Spirit," said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before,"tell me if Tiny Tim will live."
2. "I see a vacant seat," replied the Ghost, "in the poor chimney-corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved.
3. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die."
4. "No, no," said Scrooge. "Oh, no, kind Spirit. Say he will be spared."
5. "If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race," returned the Ghost, "will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
6. Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.

• "Have they no refuge or resource?" cried Scrooge.
• "Are there no prisons?" said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. "Are there no workhouses?"

In stave 4 when the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come and Scrooge visit a grave, Scrooge realizes that he was the alone and unloved person that had died. Scrooge regrets the way he lived his life, full of misery, greed, and selfishness. He regrets not helping the poor and donating. He regrets how he treated people. Scrooge then promised to change his greedy ways.

1. Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, EBENEZER SCROOGE.
2. "Am I that man who lay upon the bed?" he cried, upon his knees.
3. The finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again.
4. "No, Spirit! Oh no, no!"
5. "Spirit!" he cried, tight clutching at its robe, "hear me. I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope?"
6. For the first time the hand appeared to shake.
7. "Good Spirit," he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it: "Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life."
8. The kind hand trembled.
9. "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!"

In stave 5 Scrooge comes across the two gentlemen who earlier were seeking donations for the poor. Scrooge regretted the way he treated the collectors, the comments he made to them and not giving them anything as donation.

1. "My dear sir," said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old gentleman by both his hands. "How do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!"
2. "Mr. Scrooge?"
3. "Yes," said Scrooge. "That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness"--here Scrooge whispered in his ear.
4. "Lord bless me!" cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. "My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?"
5. "If you please," said Scrooge. "Not a farthing less. A great many back-payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favor?"
6. "My dear sir," said the other, shaking hands with him. "I don't know what to say to such munifi--"
7. "Don't say anything, please," retorted Scrooge. "Come and see me. Will you come and see me?"
8. "I will!" cried the old gentleman. And it was clear he meant to do it.
9. "Thank'ee," said Scrooge. "I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!"

Also, in stave 5 Scrooge regrets his attitude toward his nephew Fred and decides after all, to go to Fred's for dinner. (Fred had earlier asked Scrooge to go over for dinner when Scrooge rudely declined the offer).

1. "Fred!" said Scrooge.
2. Dear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started! Scrooge had forgotten, for the moment, about her sitting in the corner with the footstool, or he wouldn't have done it, on any account.
3. "Why bless my soul!" cried Fred, "who's that?"
4. "It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?"
5. Let him in! It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off. He was at home in five minutes. Nothing could be heartier.

Answer 2

Scrooge regrets how he mistreated others, neglected relationships, and prioritized money over compassion and kindness. He sees the opportunities he missed to bring joy to others and is deeply saddened by the consequences of his selfishness. Ultimately, he realizes the importance of love and generosity in life.

Answer 3

The love of his life Belle left him when she got tired of his workaholic ways. He regrets not choosing her over his money and career.