Themes

Charity

The virtue of self-sacrificial giving is at the heart of the novel. Scrooge must learn to give without any expectation of return, which goes against his principles of ‘business’.

Forgiveness

Grudges and resentment poison lives, and those who can forgive are able to be cheerful even in adversity. Fred and Bob Cratchit both exemplify this virtue, forgiving Scrooge for his harsh and cold actions towards them. They wish him well, however poorly he treats them. In both cases, their wives appear to be less magnanimous.

Avarice

Avarice is the lust for wealth and possessions. It destroys charity and brings no joy to the evildoer, as can be clearly seen from Scrooge's miserable, lonely existence at the start of the novel, and the lonely death the future holds if he does not repent.

Repentance and Conversion

Scrooge's transformation shows Dickens' strong belief in human freedom, and the possibility of change and growth leading to renewal. Dickens clearly depicts the Christian idea that even the most hardened sinner can repent and change his ways, and be redeemed at the last.

Business

Scrooge is purely a man of business, which means that he looks after his own private interests and ignores the needs of others. Dickens does not attack business per se, however. There is no indication that Scrooge is planning to give it up at the end of the novel; he is merely planning to conduct his business with an eye to the public good, and use the proceeds for private philanthropy. Dickens does not present socialist views.

Public Provision

There are many references to public institutions such as the workhouses. They are portrayed as miserably inadequate. Based on the actions of the more virtuous characters, including the reformed Scrooge, the answer appears to lie in private philanthropy. The novel does not engage with questions of large scale public reform, which once again shows that Dickens does not have socialist ideas.

Themes Retrieval Practice