Explore the redemption in Scrooges Character throught the novella?

Scrooge's character goes under a significant amount of transformation from a miserly, selfish man to a compassionate generous figure. Scrooge does it by encountering 3 different spirits, the ghost of Christmas past, present and future who helps Scrooge to transform his character by showing him different aspects of his life in order to help him transform. Dickens' portrayal of the transformation also showcases the social inequalities of Victorian society. 

At the beginning of the novella, Scrooge is described as having a miser personality by using the asyndetic listing of the 7 adjectives ‘squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner!’ These descriptions showcase Scrooge's frugality, selfishness and avaricious character. The 7 adjectives have a direct link towards the 7 deadly sins which is a biblical reference to showcase the roots towards an evil person which is exactly how Scrooge is presented in the Stave.  Moreover, this establishes that the rich are way more sinful than the poor which is the direct link between Scrooge and the sinners. The choice of words like “squeezing” and “wrenching convey a sense of discomfort and agony, showing that Scrooge’s greed is not only a moral flaw but also something that affects him physically and mentally. Scrooge has to go through a lot in order to assimilate into society as he is very isolated and a lonely character due to his social struggles which also draws attention to Scrooge’s miserly personality traits. The effect on the reader is one of immediate revulsion and pity. The asyndetic listing, with its rapid-fire, harsh adjectives, creates a vivid impression of a man who is not only greedy but deeply troubled. This overload of negative qualities paints Scrooge as a villainous figure, making his eventual transformation more striking and redemptive. The reader is invited to feel disgusted by his actions and is encouraged to question the morality of Scrooge’s way of life, particularly within the context of Victorian society's growing awareness of social inequality and the plight of the poor. The discomfort evoked by these words might also provoke sympathy for Scrooge’s isolation and internal conflict, setting up a sharp contrast between his current state and the moral lessons he will later learn. This also engages the reader emotionally, creating a strong desire to see Scrooge change for the better, reinforcing the theme of redemption that is central to the novella. 

Additionally, Dickens uses the simile ‘hard and sharp as flint.’ The use of this simile is to show that Scrooge has a lack of warmth, kindness and compassion towards the world around him and he is really struggling to interact with the people around him as specifically implied by the adjective ‘hard.’ Additionally, the adjective ‘sharp’ highlights the pain implying that Scrooge would rather be isolated than be with other people which further links to Scrooge’s miserly personality. Over and above that, Dickens compares Scrooge to ‘flint’ because flint is used to light a fire which foreshadows the theme of change and redemption into Scrooge to become warm and loving so this then suggests that his personality may change. As well as this, Dickens uses ‘solitary as an oyster’ which establishes that Scrooge has decided to isolate himself from the world around him. ‘Solitary’ connotes that Scrooge has forced himself to be lonely and the ‘oyster’ implies that Scrooge is a tough and very closed minded character, so Dickens is comparing Scrooge to the challenges of life which is suggesting the theme of capitalism. Dickens also uses the imagery of an oyster opening up and the sparkling pearl inside the oyster to foreshadow a flicker of change and a possible worthwhile change in Scrooge which is the reason why these 2 similes have been put together in the novel as Dickens is wanting to link this with ‘flint’ as they both symbolise the same idea in the theme of redemption which also foreshadows the ghost of christmas past appearing in Stave 2. 

In Stave 2, Scrooge is introduced to the ghost of a Christmas past. Scrooge responds to the ghost as being ‘recoiled in fear and began to back away.” This quote showcases Scrooge’s initial reaction being fear and avoidance to change. The use of the past tense verb ‘recoiled’ highlights Scrooge instinctively pulling away from the spirit, showing his reluctance to confront his past. This quote suggests Scrooge’s resistance to self reflection and change at the start of his journey. Additionally, the use of the phrase ‘back away’ demonstrates Scrooge’s lack of emotional intelligence and his unwillingness to face the emotional turmoil associated with revisiting his past. As his current state he is living in spending years feeling regret, loss, isolation and so the idea of confronting them is terrifying. Moreover, Scrooge learns from the fact that the ghost of Christmas past is confronting him with his fears of isolation and loneliness. The quote “I am not the man I was,” marks the first major revelation for Scrooge as he recognizes that he has changed over time and not for the better. By acknowledging this, Scrooge is beginning to accept that his character is slowly changing and he's becoming more self aware and taking responsibility for his personal decline. He recognises his bad past decisions and foreshadows the start of Scrooge's transformation. This statement then foreshadows the emotional and moral growth that will follow. The realisation that he was once a different person brings feelings of regret and sorrow, which are essential for his eventual transformation.   

In Stave 3, Scrooge is introduced to the ghost of a Christmas present who helps him with his eventual redemption. “Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before the spirit,” showcases Scrooge’s response to the ghost of Christmas present as being quite shy and humble suggesting that he feels overwhelmed by the spirits presence. This is also a big juxtaposition towards his earlier arrogance when he was first encountered by the ghost of Jacob Marley. The use of the adverb ‘timidly’ indicates that Scrooge is beginning to understand the gravity of the situation and feels vulnerable in the face of the new spirit existing. The phrase ‘hung his head further’ shows that Scrooge is aware of the inferiority in the presence of the spirit. He is not the proud, wealthy man he once was, but someone who is forced to confront the consequences of his actions. This moment signifies a shift in Scrooge's attitude- from resistance and isolation to openness and humility.  This foreshadows redemption.  Moreover, the quote, “Come in! Exclaimed the ghost. Come in and know me better, man!” The Ghost of Christmas Present extends an invitation to Scrooge that represents not just an invitation to learn, but an invitation to change. The ghost’s enthusiastic and welcoming attitude encourages Scrooge to embrace the lessons of the present and make a choice about how to act moving forward. This marks the pivotal moment where Scrooge’s transformation becomes possible — he must choose to understand and embrace the spirit of Christmas. The phrases “know me better, man!” symbolizes the personal connection Scrooge is invited to make with the idea of Christmas. It reflects the invitation to move beyond a superficial understanding of Christmas as mere festivity and wealth to a deeper, more human connection based on kindness, generosity, and love for others. Scrooge's learning here is not just intellectual, but deeply emotional, as he opens his heart to the possibility of change. 

In stave 4, Scrooge encountered the ghost of christmas yet to come. “Scrooge bent down upon his knee; the chilling influence of its shadow was upon him.” Scrooge’s initial response to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is one of submission. The fact that he “bent down upon his knee” suggests that he recognizes the ghost’s authority and the power it holds over him. This marks a stark contrast to Scrooge’s earlier dismissals of the other spirits, where he was more resistant or reluctant to engage with their lessons. Here, he is humbled and frightened, immediately acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. The chilling shadow also symbolizes the fear and regret that Scrooge will experience if he continues his path of greed and isolation. It reflects how Scrooge is beginning to see the inevitable consequences of his actions: a future filled with loneliness, death, and missed opportunities. Additionally, “The case of this unhappy man might be my own.” is a pivotal moment in the novella. Scrooge begins to see the connections between himself and the people in the vision he’s shown by the spirit. He realizes that the man’s death — an unnamed figure whose passing goes unremarked and unmourned — is a reflection of his own future if he does not change. This moment of self-awareness is crucial because it signifies that Scrooge has learned that his life has not just alienated others but will result in his own social and spiritual demise.

Scrooge has changed an awful lot throughout the novella and it really showcases the fact that somebody who starts as a miser person can easily change into somebody that is kind and gentle. 

AO1: 8/10

AO2: 8/10

AO3: 5/6

AO4: 3/4

Total marks 24/30 (grade 6-7) Level 5