How Does Scrooge Change In A Christmas Carol

Had Scrooge not been developed as a character in the way he was, would the story A Christmas Carol, have become such a famous and well known novel as it is now? Scrooge’s character development in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, was essential to the plot of the novel. The appearance, behaviors, and reactions all contributed to the character development of the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge. In order for the novel to truly convey its theme, the appearance, behaviors, and most importantly reactions, needed to be well developed in the main character, Scrooge. First of all, Scrooge possessed a unique set of physical traits that provided the reader with an early impression of his priorities (money, money, and more money)! He did not care to stand out in a crowd, nor make himself look any more presentable than he needed to for his

Dickens describes him as cold and hard. “Hard and sharp as flint…secret, and self-contained. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped at his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek” (Dickens 31). These descriptions are all associated with an arrogant and un-empathetic person. Scrooge’s behaviors set him apart from the other characters, and earned him a reputation of the man to avoid. When a caroler comes to his door as a good deed for so much as a penny, Scrooge whacks a ruler in his face. Scrooge even behaves negatively toward his own family, even during the Christmas season. “Scrooge said that he would see him-Yes, indeed, he did…and said that he would see him in that extremity first” (Dickens 36). When asked to join a family dinner, Scrooge replies by telling his nephew to go to Hell. Dickens developed the negative impression of Scrooge through his behavior. However, in order to allow the reader full understanding as to why Scrooge is so negative, the reactions of others towards him are extremely important. The reason Scrooge hates Christmas so much is due to the amount of tragedies and feelings of