Redemption

• What is the main focus of the text?

  Scrooge's redemption
• What must Scrooge do to achieve redemption?

  • Give up his mean and miserly ways
  • Make up for his past wrongs
• What creates dramatic tension regarding Scrooge's redemption?

  The question of whether he will achieve it
• How is Scrooge portrayed in Chapter One?

  As a misanthropist with a dislike for others
• What does Scrooge say about charity in Chapter One?

  "It's enough for a man to understand his own business"
• What changes in Scrooge's attitude by the time he meets the last ghost?

  He wants to change his ways
• What concern does Scrooge express about his ability to change?

  He feels he is "past all hope"
• What does Scrooge promise to do in the final chapter?

  To change for the better
• What argument does Dickens make about redemption?

  • Even the worst people can find redemption
  • They must choose to change their ways
• What does Marley admit about his chains?

  They were forged by his own "free will"
• What does Marley imply about his past choices?

  He chose not to change his miserly ways
• What hints suggest that Scrooge will be redeemed?

  Visions with the Ghost of Christmas Past
• What do the visions with the Ghost of Christmas Past reveal about Scrooge?

  He wasn't always mean-spirited
• How do the visions provide insight into Scrooge's past relationships?

  They show his close relationship with Fan
• What does the sad ending of Scrooge's engagement suggest?

  He can show love and kindness again
• What were once more important to Scrooge than money?

  Love and companionship
• How does Scrooge's father's change foreshadow Scrooge's redemption?

  It suggests Scrooge can change too
• How was Scrooge's father described in the study material?

  As a harsh man who abandoned Scrooge
• What does Fan tell Scrooge about their father?

  He is much kinder than he used to be
• Who claims responsibility for Scrooge's chance at redemption?

  Marley
• How is Marley portrayed in relation to Scrooge?

  As being very similar to Scrooge
• What does Marley claim to provide for Scrooge?

  Chance and hope for redemption
• What does Marley's willingness to help suggest about Scrooge's potential for change?

  It makes change seem more likely
• Scrooge's changed behaviour leads to his redemption

  1. Scrooge's redemption doesn't rely on a religious conversion or him going to church and praying more frequently. Instead, he's redeemed because he changes his behaviour towards other people

  2. This is consistent with Dickens's view on religion - he thought that Christianity should be about practical kindness and willingness to help other people

  3. By the end of the story, Scrooge is "glowing with his good intentions". It's this kindness and generosity that allows him to change his fate and "sponge away" 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, "I'm quite a baby"
• Scrooge isn't forced to change

  1. The spirits that initiate Scrooge's redemption are sent to help him. They don't force him to change or tell him what to do - they merely show him visions. It's Scrooge himself who must take the meaning from these visions and use that to change

  2. Scrooge is able to redeem himself because he chooses to learn from what these spirits have shown him - he's determined not to "shut out the lessons that they teach"

  3. These lessons lead Scrooge to the realisation that "the Time before him was his own, to make amends in" - 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 will makes his redemption seem more powerful
• What does Scrooge initially do regarding human sympathy?

  He warns it to keep its distance
• How do the spirits' visions affect Scrooge?

  They teach him to empathize with others
• What does Scrooge feel when he remembers his boyhood self?

  He feels pity for his lonely self
• What does Scrooge regret about his treatment of the carol singer?

  He regrets being unkind to the singer
• What does Scrooge remember about Fezziwig?

  He remembers the fun he had as an apprentice
• How does Scrooge empathize with Bob, his clerk?

  He relates to Bob's struggles
• What does Fred display that teaches Scrooge about empathy?

  He shows pity for Scrooge regardless of his attitude
• How does Fred feel about Tiny Tim's death?

  He feels heartily sorry for it
• What emotion does Scrooge feel regarding others' indifference at his death?

  He feels terrified and disgusted
• What does the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come show Scrooge?

  Others' indifference towards his death
• What significant moment of empathy does Scrooge experience with the Cratchits?

  He feels interest when asking about Tiny Tim
• Why is Scrooge's empathy for Tiny Tim important?

  It is key to his redemption
• What does Scrooge's empathy ultimately save?

  It saves Tiny Tim's life