This theme is one of the driving forces of the novel, and Dickens shows how all men are capable of change. Dickens imagines the most miserable and hard-hearted man he can, and shows how he can be reformed if he sees his responsibilities. Marley visits to warn Scrooge that he must change his ways, and he does this with the unknowing help of all of the other characters.
At the start of the novel, Scrooge seems to resist change
Changing Scrooge
Stave Two
Stave Three
Stave Four
Stave Five
At the start of the novel, Scrooge seems to resist change
- We see that “Scrooge never painted out Old Marley's name” which suggests that he is a man stuck in his ways, and unwilling or unable to change his surroundings.
- Scrooge is unwilling to help change the circumstances of the poor, and refuses to donate any money to the charity collectors.
- When Marley tells Scrooge of his need to change, or he will walk the same path as himself, Scrooge replies “'I -- I think I'd rather not,' said Scrooge.” Despite being confronted by a ghostly figure, covered in chains and warning Scrooge of the same fate, he remains firm in his ways.
Changing Scrooge
Stave Two
- We see an early sign of change in Scrooge when he seems a little embarrassed about his treatment of his nephew, Fred. When questioned by the Ghost of Christmas Past about his nephew “Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, ``Yes.'''
- When Scrooge witnesses the scene at Fezziwig's party he remarks how his former boss had the power“to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil.” After speaking these words, he remarks that “'I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That's all.'” suggesting that he is starting to have a change of heart and realise how poorly he has treated Bob.
Stave Three
- By the time Scrooge meets The Ghost of Christmas Present, Dickens describes him differently - “He entered timidly” and “he was not the dogged Scrooge he had been.”
- Having witnessed the Cratchits' Christmas, Scrooge begs the Ghost to let him know if Tiny Tim will be ok - “tell me if Tiny Tim will live.” This contrasts with Scrooge's earlier self, who felt that it would be beneficial for the weak and needy to die to “help decrease the surplus population.”
- Scrooge joins in with the fun and games at Fred's Christmas party, despite not being seen or heard. He begs the spirit to let them stay longer - “he begged like a boy to be allowed to stay until the guests departed."
Stave Four
- Scrooge admits to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come that “I hope to live to be another man from what I was” - showing that he is wiling, even desperate, to change.
- Scrooge doesn't identify with the unnamed dead businessman as he already sees himself as a changed man.
- Scrooge pleads with the Ghost of Christmas Past to help change the future - “I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse.”
Stave Five
- We see Scrooge jumping, singing and 'Whooping' till his hearts content – a huge contrast to his earlier self.
- Dickens uses pathetic fallacy to emphasise the change in Scrooge as he describes the weather: “No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells. Oh, glorious. Glorious.”