A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, had several problems. He was miserly and greedy, caring only about money and profit. Scrooge was also isolated and lonely, lacking compassion for others and rejecting the spirit of Christmas. Finally, he was haunted by the ghosts of his past, present, and future, forcing him to confront his own shortcomings and transform his ways.

Scrooge in his early life lost two things most dear to him. However, the death in childbirth of his sister Fan was the greatest upset to him and it is this that pushes him to place barriers between himself and others in a bid to reduce the great hurt he feels in losing a loved one. This hardening of his feelings continues across his life making him a cold lonely person.

Scrooge learned from Fezziwig that generosity, kindness, and compassion are more valuable than wealth and material possessions. Fezziwig showed Scrooge that creating a positive and joyful environment for others can bring happiness and fulfillment.

The schoolmaster did not care for Scrooge because Scrooge showed no interest in his studies, seemed indifferent to learning, and was often seen daydreaming in class. Scrooge's lack of enthusiasm and poor academic performance likely led to the schoolmaster's disinterest in him.

Past comes first to bring nostalgia and a remembrance of the way he used to be. It brings Scrooge to a point where his heart is softened, which is the first thing necessary if change is to occur.

The ghosts then take this more compassionate Scrooge, and they expose him to the realities around him. Now that his heart is more open and soft, he is compassionate and empathetic to the plight of Cratchet and his son Tiny Tim. The ghost of the present builds an attachment to the child by playing on Scrooge's newfound sympathies.

The ghost of the future is the kicker, he brings a sense of urgency to the situations that Scrooge is faced with in the present. Death comes to us all, and after death it is too late to change. Also, Scrooge is faced with how he is perceived, the legacy he will leave after himself, and the consequences of his current course of actions. It is a matter of hind-sight being 20/20.

So yes, the order of ghosts matters.

He is effected by isolation from an early age. he sees what happens when someone cares for another and that trust is broken and he feels that having money and removing feelings from business is the safest way to live to protect his feelings

In Stave 4, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge to:

The Corn Exchange

Old Joe's beetling shop

Scrooge's bedroom

Caroline's and her husband's rented home

Through the London street to Bob Cratchit's home

Then to Scrooge's old office but now used by someone else

To the graveyard where Scrooge's headstone lay

He learns several during the night of the visit from the Ghosts. From Marley alone, Scrooge learns:

1) The singular pursuit of profit, with no attempt to share money with others, will lead to eternal misery: "It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!"

2) Scrooge himself wears a chain "as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous chain!"

3) That the purpose of business people is NOT profit: "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

4) That simply feeling sorry is NOT enough: "no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused!"

5) That there is plenty of chances to go to those in need -- IF you will bother to look: "Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise my eyes to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!"

6) And, upon looking out after Marley's departure, Scrooge saw "one old ghost, in a white waistcoat, with a monstrous iron safe attached to its ankle, who cried piteously at being unable to assist a wretched woman with an infant, whom it saw below, upon a door-step. The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever."

In other words, the time to assist others is BEFORE you find yourself in an eternity of regret for not doing so.

No middle name was given by the author.

Scrooge says "humbug" as a dismissive response to anything he considers to be foolish, deceitful, or nonsensical. It reflects his cynical and skeptical attitude towards sentimentality and Christmas in the beginning of "A Christmas Carol."

Scrooge learned from Marley's ghost the consequences of a life consumed by greed and selfishness. He discovered that material wealth is meaningless in the face of spiritual poverty and that the path to redemption lies in generosity, compassion, and kindness towards others.

At the end of the book on Christmas Day Scrooge promises the Businessman a very substantial donation for the poor and needy. The sum is never disclosed

Initially they annoyed him by assuming he(scooge) would give money to people who were not working hard for it. He asks are there no prisons, are there no work houses? Are the cells and the tread wheel still in vigorous use? He then sends them on their way with nothing. Then having seen what his future may be lie he seeks out these men and makes them an unknown contribution stating that there is extra in there as interest for not paying before.

His experiances with the three ghosts tell him what he is missing in life, how he can help others and what will happen to him that very Christmas eve should he not make the chages required of him

In Stave 3 of "A Christmas Carol," the Spirit of Christmas Present takes Scrooge on a journey around London to witness how people are celebrating Christmas. Scrooge starts to feel a sense of joy and compassion as he sees the happiness of others and begins to understand the true spirit of the holiday season.

Scrooge learns from the second ghost, the Ghost of Christmas Present, the importance of generosity, compassion, and the joy that comes from giving and sharing with others. He sees the happiness that can be found in simple acts of kindness and in caring for the well-being of others, ultimately realizing the value of spreading love and goodwill.

In Stave Two of "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge sees the missed opportunity to form close relationships with others during his youth. He regrets not prioritizing personal connections and love over his pursuit of wealth and success. This leads him to feel a deep sense of remorse for his previous choices and behavior.

Time is important to Scrooge because he has realized the value of living in the present moment and the opportunity to make amends for his past mistakes. He is grateful for the chance to change his ways and live a more fulfilling life with the time he has left.

Initially, Scrooge has a disdainful and selfish attitude towards the poor, viewing them as unworthy of help or compassion. However, through the visits of the ghosts in "A Christmas Carol," he undergoes a transformation and learns to show kindness and generosity towards those less fortunate.

Scrooge's disdain for the poor can be attributed to his greed and selfishness, which lead him to prioritize wealth and material gain over empathy and compassion for others. His focus on financial success blinded him to the struggles and humanity of those less fortunate, causing him to view them with contempt and indifference.

Scrooge learns from Fezziwig the importance of generosity, kindness, and spreading joy to others. He understands that happiness and fulfillment come from valuing relationships and connecting with others, rather than solely focusing on accumulating wealth and material possessions. Fezziwig teaches Scrooge to find joy in giving to others and creating a positive impact on those around him.

In Stave 1, Scrooge is portrayed as a greedy and miserly character, but by Stave 5, he has undergone a significant transformation. Through the visits of the ghosts, Scrooge learns the error of his ways, becomes more compassionate, generous, and kind-hearted. He reforms his behavior by embracing the spirit of Christmas, showing kindness to others, and regaining his joy for life.

Describing Scrooge as "solitary as an oyster" means he is isolated, closed-off, and unwilling to interact or connect with others, much like an oyster keeps to itself in its shell. It highlights his lack of social connections and his cold, distant demeanor.

Dickens uses Scrooge as a character to represent the negative consequences of greed, selfishness, and materialism. Through Scrooge's transformation, Dickens conveys the message of redemption, generosity, and the possibility of change. Scrooge's journey reflects Dickens' social critique of the Victorian era and emphasizes the importance of compassion and human connection.

Scrooge's conscience first began to bother him when he was visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warned him of the consequences of his greed and selfishness and foretold the arrival of three spirits to show him the error of his ways.