How Does Scrooge Change In A Christmas Carol

A Look Back on Your Actions Can Change Anyone

In the beginning of the story, Scrooge is characterized as hostile and antagonistic. In the story “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens, the main character is Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is a heartless old man, who cares about nothing but himself and money. He is the definition of materialistic. Scrooge lives in a town filled with merry people, but he is just the opposite. Not to the reader’s surprise,“Nobody ever stopped him in the streets to say with gladstone looks, ‘My dear scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?”’ (3). Ebeneezer Scrooge is known throughout his town as the kind of person you stay away from. Therefore, nobody bothers to ask him how he is doing, or even say hello.

Fezziwig. The phantom asks him, in a mocking way, why Scrooge was so fond of Fezziwig when he had only spent a few pounds on the celebration. Hearing this, Ebeneezer replies, “Say that his power lies in words and looks, in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count em’ up; what’s then? The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune” (43-44). A clear progression is shown in Scrooge’s outlook. If he can appreciate a simple, yet generous, act of kindness displayed by Mr. Fezziwig, he has definitely grown. Most evidently because he dismisses the fact that he had not spent a fortune on the event, and focuses on how thoughtful the gesture was. The Scrooge in the beginning of the story would have viewed this event as a waste of time. In fact, he acted this way when he earlier declined Christmas dinner with his Nephew. Now, he has learned to appreciate the little things. After Scrooge thought he had seen it all from the three spirits, the last phantom, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and Scrooge take a visit to a graveyard. There, the specter points to a tombstone bearing the engraving of none other than Ebenezer Scrooge. In hopes to avoid this dreadful future, Scrooge pleads, ‘“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

Once waking up from the encounter with each spirit, Ebeneezer Scrooge is amazed that each visit only had taken up one night - meaning today was Christmas! Delighted, Scrooge acts in a way we have never seen before, even while getting ready in the morning. “Shaving was not an easy task, for his hand continue to shake very much and shaving requires attention, even while you don’t dance while you are at it. But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a piece of sticking-plaster over it, and been quite satisfied” (108).In all staves of the book, Scrooge has never shown so much joy. He is finally able to show kindness to others and be simply happy. Not even cutting part of his nose off could dim him of the Christmas spirit! In Stave One, Scrooge could not even stand the sound of carolers on the street, but now he is so excited just to be witnessing this holiday, he can hardly contain his enthusiasm. While keeping his mood merry for the rest of the day, Scrooge is able to spend time with family and spread happiness throughout his town. When Christmas comes to a close, he must go back to work when Bob Cratchit, who is a few minutes late greets him. To play a little joke, Scrooge pretends to be furious and unforgiving of his simple mistake but turns it around when he exclaims he is going to promote him!“‘ I’ll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very