Significance Of The Second Spirit In A Christmas Carol

In the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (adapted by Fredrick Gaines), 3 spirits showed Scrooge visions in order to divert him from his arrogant ways. These three spirits, by name, are The Spirit of Christmas Past (1st Spirit), The Spirit of Christmas Present (2nd Spirit), and the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come (3rd Spirit). But let’s be honest- the 2nd Spirit is superior to the rest. He played his cards right and had the most effect on Scrooge. Scrooge, being a selfish man, had no concern about his past or what lay ahead of him, thus making The Spirit of Christmas Present (The 2nd Spirit) the most appealing to him, making him more malleable and pliant under The 2nd Spirit’s visions. The three things that were learned by Scrooge happened

The Spirit of Christmas Present showed Scrooge a distinct vision (Hunger & Ignorance) that uncovered Scrooge’s hidden generosity. Scrooge sees the Spirits of Hunger & Ignorance and automatically presumes they have something to do with him. This shows how Scrooge is self-engrossed and doesn’t feel/think about anyone else, the opposite of generosity. This changes when The 2nd Spirit explains to him that the Spirits of Hunger & Ignorance are real; he implies that they live among his streets and they take form in different things (268). In his little speech, The 2nd Spirit tells Scrooge that he denies them, putting guilt on Scrooge to change Scrooge. Originally, The Spirits of Hunger & Ignorance could be symbolizing the poor and needy on the streets, growing and multiplying and not remaining children (268). But what Hunger & Ignorance could also symbolize is Scrooge’s “hunger” for wealth and his “ignorance” for others. His hunger and ignorance will multiply and will not remain children (meaning small). If he leaves his hunger for wealth, he overcomes selfishness (opposite of generosity); if he overcomes his ignorance for others, he will learn generosity. They live among the streets; they live among his heart. Later on, when Scrooge asks if Hunger & Ignorance have any refuge or resource (268), The 2nd Spirit replies- or mimics- Scrooge that their refuge is prison and resource be workhouses. Again, this could mean the poor

Scrooge is in denial that Tiny Tim won’t live (266). He is dejected. He finds himself worrying about Tiny Tim when he doesn’t know him very well, or hasn’t felt for him before. This was the compassion sprouting. The 2nd Spirit uses Scrooge’s words against him, saying that Tiny Tim should die. Scrooge familiarizes the words and turns away and wallows in remorse, regret, and shame. (266) It was evident Scrooge learns compassion because later on in the story, he exclaims blessings of Christmas 8 times with the intention of changing his ways. He treats everyone he comes across with compassion and kindness. He stood humbly in the doorway of his nephew’s house, and he going to his nephew’s house is a sign that he had set aside his hate for his nephew in turn for compassion. All these incidents were in a mere two pages (272, 274)! Scrooge learned this vital component of character from The 2nd