Materialism & Wealth

• How is materialism defined in the text?

  Materialism is defined as the preference of material things and physical comfort over spiritual values.
• What does Dickens portray about wealth in the novella?

  He portrays wealth as having both positive and negative effects.
• Why is Stave Two central to Dickens' message about wealth?

  Because Scrooge points out the paradoxical nature of wealth.
• What does Scrooge assert about poverty and the pursuit of wealth?

  He asserts that nothing on earth is as hard as poverty, yet the pursuit of wealth is condemned the most.
• How does Dickens use Scrooge's beliefs about wealth in relation to Victorian society?

  He uses Scrooge's beliefs to comment on the attitudes towards wealth in Victorian society.
• How does Dickens present wealth in some areas of the novella?

  He presents wealth as not exclusively amoral.
• What does Marley’s Ghost call Scrooge when he appears?

  He calls him a "man of the worldly mind."
• What is the definition of materialism?

  Materialism is defined as 'the preference of material things and physical comfort over spiritual values'.
• How does Dickens present the concept of wealth in A Christmas Carol?

  Dickens explores the idea of wealth in greater depth and portrays it as having both positive and negative effects within the novella.
• What does Scrooge say about the nature of wealth?

  Scrooge describes wealth as "the even-handed dealing of the world" and asserts that there is nothing on earth as "hard as poverty" but the "pursuit of wealth" is one of the things people "condemn" the most.
• What is the significance of Marley's Ghost calling Scrooge a "man of the worldly mind"?

  This could be interpreted as alluding to Scrooge's materialistic attitude, and highlights that Dickens wanted to establish materialism as wrong from the very offset of the novella.
• How does Dickens use the description of the chains on Marley's Ghost to present a moral lesson about wealth?

  The semantic field of money (cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses) highlights how it is Marley's misuse of wealth which has caused him to become trapped in purgatory, presenting a didactic lesson for readers that wealth can cause the downfall of a person if it is not used properly.
• How does Dickens use the breakdown of Scrooge's relationship with Belle to present a negative view of wealth?

  Belle tells Scrooge that she is leaving him due to his "eager" and "greedy" attitude towards money, recognizing that he no longer has any noble "aspirations" as "gain" is what "engrosses" him, highlighting that the deterioration of their relationship is a direct consequence of Scrooge's fixation with wealth.
• How does Dickens use the character of Fezziwig to present a positive view of wealth?

  Fezziwig, Scrooge's employer when he was young, is presented as a character who used money in a praiseworthy and exemplary way, showing that it is possible to be both wealthy and moral.
• How does Scrooge recognize that Fezziwig used his wealth in a positive way?

  Scrooge recognizes that Fezziwig uses his money to make people "happy" and ensures that the working conditions in the warehouse instil a sense of "pleasure" in his employees.
• How does Dickens present Scrooge using his wealth in a positive way in the final stave?

  Scrooge makes a donation to the charity collector from Stave One and sends a turkey to Bob Cratchit's house for Christmas dinner, and the narrator repeatedly uses the word "good" to describe his character, showing how Scrooge has been able to use his wealth to become a better person.
• What does the narrator's statement that Scrooge's "own heart laughed" suggest about the positive effects of Scrooge using his wealth?

  This suggests that Scrooge is content and happy after using his wealth in an altruistic manner, reinforcing the idea that wealth can be used to honour spiritual values in order to develop into a better person.
• What are the key points about Dickens' presentation of materialism in A Christmas Carol?

  • Materialism is defined as 'the preference of material things and physical comfort over spiritual values'
  • Dickens presents materialism as wrong within the text
  • Marley's Ghost calls Scrooge a "man of the worldly mind", establishing materialism as wrong from the start
  • Dickens highlights that material things and physical comfort are unimportant, and spiritual values are more essential
  • Materialism is portrayed as purposeless and worthless within the novella
• How does Dickens present both the negative and positive aspects of wealth in A Christmas Carol?

  Negative aspects of wealth:

  • Marley's chains made of money-related items symbolize how wealth can lead to one's downfall
  • Scrooge's fixation on wealth leads to the breakdown of his relationship with Belle

  Positive aspects of wealth:

  • Fezziwig uses his wealth to make his employees happy, showing wealth can be used morally
  • Scrooge uses his wealth to help others (charity donation, sending turkey) and become a better person
  • Narrator describes Scrooge as "good" after his altruistic actions, suggesting wealth can honor spiritual values
• What is Scrooge's perspective on the nature of wealth as presented in the text?

  • Scrooge describes wealth as "the even-handed dealing of the world"
  • He asserts that there is nothing as "hard as poverty" but the "pursuit of wealth" is one of the things people "condemn" the most
  • This paradoxical view is used by Scrooge to justify his actions, but also highlights Dickens' commentary on Victorian attitudes towards wealth
• How does Dickens use the character of Fezziwig to present a positive view of wealth?

  • Fezziwig, Scrooge's former employer, is presented as using his wealth in a praiseworthy and exemplary way
  • Scrooge recognizes that Fezziwig uses his money to make people "happy" and ensure a sense of "pleasure" for his employees
  • This shows it is possible to be both wealthy and moral, acting as an example for readers
• How does Dickens present Scrooge using his wealth in a positive way in the final stave?

  • Scrooge makes a donation to the charity collector and sends a turkey to Bob Cratchit's house
  • The narrator repeatedly uses the word "good" to describe Scrooge's actions
  • This shows how Scrooge has been able to use his wealth to become a better person and honor spiritual values