acc theme: redemption Flashcards
By the time Scrooge is visited by the last ghost, his attitude has softened, and he wants to change his ways, but he is concerned that he is doomed. Despite this, Scrooge keeps his promise to change for the better and starts to set things right in the final chapter.
“past all hope”
Dickens is arguing that even the very worst people in society can find redemption. To do this, they must make the choice to start changing their ways - Marley admits that his chains were forged of his own actions because he chose not to change his miserly ways when he was alive.
“free will”
Another hint is the change in Scrooge’s father, which foreshadows Scrooge’s own redemption. Dickens suggests that Scrooge’s father was a harsh man who abandoned his son at boarding school over the Christmas holidays. However, when Fan comes to collect Scrooge, she tells him how their father is kinder.
“so much kinder than he used to be”
By the end of the story, Scrooge is good. It’s this kindness and generosity that allows him to change his fate and “quote” his name from his neglected gravestone. It’s as if he’s reborn, and he has a second chance to do things better - he even says, “quote”.
“glowing with his good intentions”. “sponge away”. “I’m quite a baby”.
These lessons lead Scrooge to the realisation that he can save himself- he can use the rest of his life to make up for his previous behaviour. The fact that Scrooge’s transformation is done of his own free makes his redemption seem more powerful.
“the time before him was his own, to make amends in”
The most important example of empathy occurs when Scrooge witnesses the love between the Cratchits and feels hope when he asks if Tiny Tim will live. Scrooge’s empathy for Tiny Tim is key to his redemption and saves Tim’s life.
“an interest he had never felt before”
