Similarities Between Mr Holborough And Scrooge

In both Thomas Hardy’s and Charles Dickens’ works, Mr. Holborough and Scrooge respectively, are presented as cold and unfeeling toward others and have strained relationships with their loved ones. However, while Mr. Holborough remains a static character, unchanged in his ways, Scrooge undergoes a dynamic transformation and learns to embrace kindness and the spirit of Christmas.

When it comes to their actions and general wording with those around them, It is evident that neither Scrooge or Mr.Holborough are a good person. For instance, from the start of the novel, Mr. Scrooge is presented as a cruel, devil-like and insensible human being. He treats his clergy poorly, keeping them with low wages, resulting in their poor lifestyle and inability

While Hardy’s story portrays the static character of Mr. Halborough who remains unchanged and continues to create problems and suffering to his children until his death, Dickens’ tale features the dynamic character of scrooge, whose transformation is the central theme of the narrative. Throughout the story we can clearly see how Mr. Holborough is a burden and humiliation to all of his children, even going against their wishes and telling them that “'A drop of weak gin-and-water. It won't hurt ye.” (Hardy 84), or in other words telling a preacher to commit the same sin that he is committing. By diverting from the path of God, Mr. Holborough humiliates his children, reinforcing the idea that he doesn't care about them but of their ability to produce wealth for beer. Up until his death where he “drifted into the culvert” (Hardy 86), Mr.. Holborough can be considered a predictable, flat and static character, someone who throughout the story never changes in his insensible approach to his children, and someone who we can expect throughout the story to be the cause of all the trouble. On the other hand we have Scrooge, a character who starts off as a bad, cold and wicked man; someone who nobody wanted to talk to, to him even stating that he will “honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." (Dickens 74), showcasing how he has the ability and willingness to change, making him unpredictable and round, creating an intricate story to explain his change for good and how he now is regarded as a good citizen and uncle to little Tim by the end of the novel. After all his adventures, unlike Mr. Halborough, Scrooge mentions how he is“ not the man I was.” (Dickens 74) and shows throughout his story how the appearance of the three ghosts shaped his new perspective on Christmas and the overall idea of giving