Question

In Act 1 of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, how does Dickens show that Scrooge is a cold and uncaring person? Choose ONE moment from the act and explain how Scrooge’s words or actions reveal his character.


Requirements:

7–10 sentences
Book open
Stay on Act 1
Explain what the evidence shows

Sentence Frames:

In Act 1 of A Christmas Carol, Dickens shows that Scrooge is a cold and uncaring person.
One moment that reveals this is when ________.
During this scene, Scrooge says or does, ___
This is important because__.
Scrooge’s words/actions show that he does not care about ________.
Instead of showing kindness, Scrooge ________.
This moment helps the audience understand that Scrooge is ________.
Overall, Dickens uses this scene to show that Scrooge is a cold and uncaring character.

Answer 1

In Act 1 of A Christmas Carol, Dickens shows that Scrooge is a cold and uncaring person. One moment that reveals this is when two gentlemen visit Scrooge asking him to donate to help the poor. During this scene, Scrooge says or does, "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" and even adds, "If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population" (Act 1). This is important because it shows he refuses to take responsibility for the suffering around him and meets pleas for help with cruel, practical indifference. Scrooge’s words/actions show that he does not care about the poor, the needy, or the human cost of his refusal. Instead of showing kindness, Scrooge sneers at charitable efforts, dismisses the visitors, and argues that the needy are a burden that society might better lose. This moment helps the audience understand that Scrooge is selfish, heartless, and blind to the humanity of others. Overall, Dickens uses this scene to show that Scrooge is a cold and uncaring character.