A Christmas Carol: Regret and Redemption plans

1. Regret at not having a family – he realises here that familial connections are more important
than business and work
a. “more attentively than ever” showing his attraction
b. “scrooge” & “master” showing his lack of power in the scenario and almost making
fun of his need for control
c. “been a spring-time in the haggard winter of his life, his sight grew very dim indeed”
– showing how he’s deeply regretting his decisions
i. “haggard” emphasisimng the severity of the situation, and suggests that his
life worn down by the absence of relationships
ii. “spring-time in the haggard winter” – showing the warmth and vitality family
could have brought him – rejuvenating his cold appearance
iii. “his sight grew very dim indeed” showing how his ability to see the world
clearly and understand his own life has been impaired by his lack of family
and connection, “indeed” emphasising this
d.
2. Regret from his actions to society
a. "I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle." –
showing his found awareness of his actions. The contrast between “practice” and
“principle” may be dickens appealing to everyone who dosen’t even know their
immorality
b. “I should like to have given him something, that's all.” – him looking back at how his
capitalist mindset has corrupted him to even give something to a carooler – this
brainwashing has blinded him to joy and truth
c. “I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now!” – shows how
capitalists “should” need to reform, and that everyone needs to be treated well
d. Tiny tim’s presence firstly links to the “surplus population” but Scrooge becomes a
second father showing how familial connections can be made even when they’ve
been mean – chance of redemption.
e. “the happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune”
3. Regret through Marley, not being a good Christian and also materialism
a. “I wear the chains I forged in life”
b. “Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and
never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were
there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!”
c. “humanity is my business”
d. “the common welfare was my business; charity;mercy”

Redemption

1. Redemption brings joy and happiness to scrooge’s life, and transforms him into a more jovial
human being. Contrasts to stave 1 too
a. “the cold within him froze his features”, “his own heart laughed, and that was quite
enough for him”, “really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years,
it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh”, “I am light as a feather… I am as
merry as a schoolboy”, “I’m quite a baby”
2. Redemption is not only advocated for, but is necessary. Ignorance and want too – talk about
the increasing problem and how it will lead to society’s demands
a. Extract + ignorance and want “the boy is ignorance. The girl is want… most of all
beware the boy, for on his brow I see that written which is doom”
3. Redemption is portrayed to be one uniting scrooge with Christianity, particularly in his
adoption of a fatherly role to tiny tim and him adopting Christmas in his heart
a. “happy as an angel”, “no fog, no mist;… golden sunlight; heavenly sky”, “tiny tim,
who did not die, he was a second father”, ending with “god bless us, everyone!”