charity Flashcards
(8 cards)
overview
Charity is one of the most important themes in A Christmas Carol. At the start of the novella, Scrooge is selfish and refuses to help anyone, especially the poor. He only cares about money and sees charity as a waste. However, after being visited by the three spirits, he realises how wrong he has been. By the end, he changes and becomes kind and generous, helping people like the Cratchit family and others in need. Dickens uses Scrooge’s journey to show that charity isn’t just about giving money, but about caring for others and making the world a better place. The message is that everyone has a responsibility to look after each other, especially those who are struggling.
“Are there no prisons? And the Union workhouses? Are they still in operation?”
In Stave 1 of A Christmas Carol, Dickens uses Scrooge’s dialogue to reflect the harsh attitudes of the Victorian upper class towards charity and the poor. When two portly gentlemen approach Scrooge asking for donations, he replies coldly, “Are there no prisons? And the Union workhouses? Are they still in operation?”. Scrooge isn’t genuinely asking—he’s mocking the idea of charitable giving, suggesting that the poor should rely on these brutal institutions instead. The tone is sarcastic and dismissive, emphasising his lack of compassion. Furthermore, the listing of “prisons” and “workhouses” demonstrates how society at the time treated poverty as a crime, punishing rather than helping those in need. These references carry connotations of punishment and suffering, reflecting how the poor were forced into dehumanising conditions. Dickens deliberately includes this dialogue early on to shock the reader and to begin constructing Scrooge as a symbol of the wealthy elite’s ignorance and moral decay. It also reflects Dickens’ wider social criticism—he wants the reader to see how systems like the workhouses strip people of dignity and fail to address the real causes of poverty.
“I can’t afford to make idle people merry.”
Later in the same conversation, Scrooge goes further by saying, “I can’t afford to make idle people merry.” The adjective “idle” is crucial here, as it implies that Scrooge—and by extension, many people in Victorian society—believes the poor are lazy and undeserving of help. The phrase “make…merry” is also interesting, as it reduces the idea of charity to simply bringing joy or comfort, something Scrooge sees as unnecessary or even indulgent. It shows how he associates generosity with wastefulness. Dickens uses this moment to highlight the extreme lack of empathy in Scrooge’s worldview. He is not just refusing to give—he’s actively judging those in need, denying their humanity.
“happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time,”
In the middle of A Christmas Carol, Dickens uses the Ghost of Christmas Present to explore the theme of charity through vivid imagery and symbolism. When the Ghost takes Scrooge to the Cratchit household, Dickens writes that the family is “happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time,” despite their poverty. This juxtaposition between their financial hardship and emotional richness emphasises that true wealth lies in love and generosity, not material possessions. Dickens uses listing here to show the Cratchits’ overflowing positivity, suggesting that charity begins at home and is not dependent on wealth.
“yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish,”
“Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy”
Additionally, the personification of Ignorance and Want, described as “yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish,” serves as a powerful warning. The adjective “wolfish” dehumanises the children, reflecting society’s neglect and lack of charity towards the poor. Through this grotesque imagery, Dickens appeals to his Victorian audience’s conscience, highlighting the consequences of social ignorance and moral failure. The Ghost’s warning—“Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy”—uses imperative language to stress the urgent need for compassion and reform.
“I am about to raise your salary!”
In Stave 5 of A Christmas Carol, Dickens uses Scrooge’s transformation to emphasise the theme of charity and generosity, contrasting his former selfishness with his newfound compassion. One powerful moment is when Scrooge declares, “I am about to raise your salary!” to Bob Cratchit. The verb “raise” symbolises more than just an increase in money—it represents Scrooge’s uplifted spirit and willingness to take responsibility for others. The exclamation mark reinforces the suddenness and enthusiasm behind his change, showing that this isn’t a reluctant gesture, but a genuine act of charity. Dickens deliberately places this right after Scrooge’s spiritual redemption to highlight that real change is proven through actions, especially charitable ones. Through this, Dickens shows how charity should be personal and active, not distant or performative.
conclusion
In conclusion, charity is one of the most important themes in A Christmas Carol. Dickens shows that true happiness comes from helping others and being kind, not from money or greed. Scrooge’s transformation proves that anyone can change and choose to be generous. By the end of the story, charity is shown to be a powerful force that brings people together and creates a better, more caring society.
“He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew.”
Another key quote is when the narrator tells us, “He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew.” The repetition of the phrase “as good” creates a triadic structure, which emphasises how fully Scrooge has embraced kindness and charity. The noun “friend” especially suggests emotional charity—not just giving money, but giving time, warmth and care. By saying “the good old city knew,” Dickens personifies the city, suggesting that Scrooge’s charitable acts have become so impactful that they’re widely known and respected. This shows how charity has the power to ripple out into the wider community and transform not just individuals, but the society around them.
