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Essay Question
What is the main theme of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol?
Introduction
I believe that the main theme of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” is that love elevates and money corrupts. The first point I have to support this is the Cratchit family and how even though they are not rich they are still happy, unlike Scrooge. The second point is of Fred’s Christmas greeting and Scrooge’s response. My third and final point is about Fezziwig who was Scrooge’s teacher and the contrast between the two men.
Body
Firstly, I will talk about the Cratchit family and Bob. They are extremely poor with woeful living conditions yet they are happy and content with one another. Scrooge on the other hand has a lot of money yet is not happy. The quote I have to support this point is “There was nothing of high remark about this, they were not a handsome family, they were not well dressed, and their clothes were far from being water-proof, their clothes were scanty and Peter may have known like the inside of a pawn broke. But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another and contented.” Scrooge on the other hand has lots of money but is not happy. The quote I have from the text is “But what did Scrooge care? It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life; warning all human sympathy to keep its distance; what the knowing ones called nuts to Scrooge” .It supports the point because Bob has a family and they all love each other and are therefore ‘elevated’ whereas Scrooge does not have anyone and is therefore cold, corrupted and bitter. This point answers the question by showing just how love elevates and money corrupts.
My second point is about Fred’s Christmas greeting. Fred in a happy mood comes up to Scrooge and wishes him a Merry Christmas and invites him over to lunch. Scrooge in his typical manner insults Fred by saying that he does not have any money and that Christmas is a ‘humbug’. The quote I have chosen to...