ACC generosity, analysis, context and quotations

• Generosity


  Freely giving to those less fortunate, whether in terms of money, time, support, or love
• Scrooge: '"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they'd better do it and decrease the surplus population."'
• Jacob Marley's ghost: '"I'm here tonight to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate."'
• Ghost of Christmas Past on Fezziwig: '"A small matter to make these silly folks so full of gratitude. He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money - three or four perhaps."'
• Narration about Ghost of Christmas Present: '"The sight of these poor revellers appeared to interest the spirit very much, for he sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch."'
• Tiny Tim: '"God bless us every one!"'
• Generosity


  Not just a financial obligation, but something that should permeate all aspects of how people treat each other
• Generous characters


  • Fred
  • Fezziwig
  • Tiny Tim
  • The Spirits
• Selfish attitudes


  Most evident in Scrooge in the first half of the story, demonized
• Dickens encourages his readers to behave in more generous ways, particularly to the less fortunate
• Generosity is celebrated, while selfish attitudes are demonized, as Dickens stresses the importance of being a generous individual
• Generosity should not just be a financial consideration, but should permeate all aspects of how people treat each other
• Generosity, for Dickens, is something that can be seen in our actions and thoughts, not just a financial obligation