The Splendor of Change through the Life of Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens´ A Christmas Carol

Dickens shows us truth, beauty, and goodness through the miraculous transformation of the character, Scrooge, in his story A Christmas Carol. In the final chapter of Dickens’ story, we are privileged to witness a complete and total alteration of the personal identity in Scrooge that exudes all that is good, all that is beautiful, and all that is true from the depths of his core; revealing a genuine heartfelt conversion.
Dickens exposes what is beautiful in human nature – through delightful personality and emotional response. The glory of God can be seen in the beautiful and passionate outpouring of joyful emotions. Dickens uses Scrooge to portray this beauty as the character, upon awakening, is so filled with excitement that he can hardly contain himself. He prances around his room so joyously and jubilantly, in such a manner as a child that he becomes short of breath. He even begins “laughing and crying in the same breath”. (57) Dickens describes his beautiful laugh as “a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs”. (57)
Dickens further exposes what is beautiful in how we view the world around us. God created the beautiful world with variety and change for our pleasure. To take notice of this beauty is beautiful in itself. Dickens shows how Scrooge’s perspective on life notably changes from the way he views the world around him to the way he notices people and even in the way he reacts to them. Scrooge, after merrily stumbling around his room and fumbling blissfully with his clothes, opens the window and has a renewed outlook on the beauty within the world he lives. He takes notice of the “golden sunlight; heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells”. (58) He is able to take noti...

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...eals God through the Holy Spirit and the heavenly power of change. Scrooge, through his conversion, is able to establish new and authentic relationships with so many people. He is genuinely concerned with the wellbeing of others and is finally able to be truly happy. His change is beautiful in every way and embodies the true sense of goodness. A true and complete renewal or rebirth of our spirit is fully attainable through the glorious work of the Holy Spirit in us. Just as Scrooge vowed that, “the spirits of all three shall strive in me” we too vow to have the holy spirit thrive in us. (57)

Works Cited

Dickens, Charles. "A Christmas Carol." Blackboard Content. ENGL 205: Literature of the Western World. Regent University. November 14, 2013
Thomas Nelson Study Bible. New King James Version. Ed. Earl D. Radmacher. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997. Print.