Greed in a christmas carol
“Decrease the surplus population” ( 1 ) Scrooge is initially portrayed as a miser lacking empathy and
remorse for the penurious. These words echo the Malthusian
beliefs prevalent within Victorian society, suggesting poverty
was a primary factor of overpopulation and only increased
economic strain. Scrooge reduces their lives to pure statistics,
dehumanising them and reflecting the unfair attitude the rich
have toward the poor. He completely relies on common
institutions like “prisons” and “workhouses” to deal with his
“issues”.
“I can't afford to make idle people merry” ( 1 ) “idle” encapsulates the stigma around those in poverty being
merely lazy and deserving full consequences for it. Scrooge
focuses entirely on personal endeavours and accumulating
high capital. Could be viewed as somewhat ironic that
scrooge critiques the unworthy when typically in a Victorian
society majority of the upper-class inherited their wealth.
Context on Karl Marx A belief encouraged by Marx was that the materialistic
outcome of the industrial revolution was caused by mass
capitalism, a system based on accumulating profit. His idea
suggested that these values would continue to encourage
inequality between the bourgeoisie and the potentate.
“Another idol has displaced me” “a golden one” ( 2 ) Through the metaphor “golden” Dickens emphasises
Scrooge’s infatuation with money displacing his sense of love
and emotion. The term “idol” could carry some religious
connotations surrounding the severity of idolisation. In
christianity and Judaism it is seen as prohibited following the
10 commandments, the purpose this serves in context to
Scrooge could be that his avaricious mentality is sinful and
will bring consequence.
“I release you. With a heart full, for the love of him you once The phrase “a heart full” harshly contrasts Belle's emotional
were” ( 2 ) richness with Scrooge’s utter emptiness. However it may also
suggest that Scrooge in fact did treat fiance with respect and
honour but merely could not balance greed with love. Dickens
ultimately critiques the mentality of the wealthy, implying that
it isolates individuals and distorts moral consciences leading
to the loss of vital human connection.
“ yellow, meagre, raggish, scowling, wolfish “ ( 1 ) Reflects the neglected, derelict state of children in poverty.
“Yellow” often resonates with sickness and disease which
symbolises both the physical and metaphorical decay of
morality when moving up the wealth hierarchy. Additionally,
“scowling” could be a warning from the unfortunate, their
resentment acts as a beg for change amongst the wealthy.
“The room was very dark, too dark to be observed” ( 3 ) This encapsulates the dire consequence of excessive
covetousness, Scrooge’s inevitable cold, lonesome deathbed
is a raw reflection of his miserly ways and poor treatment of
the less fortunate. This is primarily shown by his earlier
treatment of Bob Cratchit and his “one coal” fire, mirroring the
dim lit environment of the room serving as a pivotal moral
consequence.
“Decrease the surplus population” ( 1 ) Scrooge is initially portrayed as a miser lacking empathy and
remorse for the penurious. These words echo the Malthusian
beliefs prevalent within Victorian society, suggesting poverty
was a primary factor of overpopulation and only increased
economic strain. Scrooge reduces their lives to pure statistics,
dehumanising them and reflecting the unfair attitude the rich
have toward the poor. He completely relies on common
institutions like “prisons” and “workhouses” to deal with his
“issues”.
“I can't afford to make idle people merry” ( 1 ) “idle” encapsulates the stigma around those in poverty being
merely lazy and deserving full consequences for it. Scrooge
focuses entirely on personal endeavours and accumulating
high capital. Could be viewed as somewhat ironic that
scrooge critiques the unworthy when typically in a Victorian
society majority of the upper-class inherited their wealth.
Context on Karl Marx A belief encouraged by Marx was that the materialistic
outcome of the industrial revolution was caused by mass
capitalism, a system based on accumulating profit. His idea
suggested that these values would continue to encourage
inequality between the bourgeoisie and the potentate.
“Another idol has displaced me” “a golden one” ( 2 ) Through the metaphor “golden” Dickens emphasises
Scrooge’s infatuation with money displacing his sense of love
and emotion. The term “idol” could carry some religious
connotations surrounding the severity of idolisation. In
christianity and Judaism it is seen as prohibited following the
10 commandments, the purpose this serves in context to
Scrooge could be that his avaricious mentality is sinful and
will bring consequence.
“I release you. With a heart full, for the love of him you once The phrase “a heart full” harshly contrasts Belle's emotional
were” ( 2 ) richness with Scrooge’s utter emptiness. However it may also
suggest that Scrooge in fact did treat fiance with respect and
honour but merely could not balance greed with love. Dickens
ultimately critiques the mentality of the wealthy, implying that
it isolates individuals and distorts moral consciences leading
to the loss of vital human connection.
“ yellow, meagre, raggish, scowling, wolfish “ ( 1 ) Reflects the neglected, derelict state of children in poverty.
“Yellow” often resonates with sickness and disease which
symbolises both the physical and metaphorical decay of
morality when moving up the wealth hierarchy. Additionally,
“scowling” could be a warning from the unfortunate, their
resentment acts as a beg for change amongst the wealthy.
“The room was very dark, too dark to be observed” ( 3 ) This encapsulates the dire consequence of excessive
covetousness, Scrooge’s inevitable cold, lonesome deathbed
is a raw reflection of his miserly ways and poor treatment of
the less fortunate. This is primarily shown by his earlier
treatment of Bob Cratchit and his “one coal” fire, mirroring the
dim lit environment of the room serving as a pivotal moral
consequence.
