Charles Dickens believed that people needed to stand up
and take notice of the conditions of the poor. He wrote A Christmas Carol
in order to help them see the poor as human beings deserving of dignity and
respect. When I think of your question, two quotes pop out at me. The first is one of
my favorites from the book. When Scrooge asks why the ghost is there, Marley
answers:
“It
is required of every man,” the Ghost returned, “that the spirit within him should walk
abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth
in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the
world—oh, woe is me!—and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth,
and turned to
happiness!”
This demonstrates
Dickens's purpose in telling this story. He wants to convince people to care about
others, and feel for them.
The second example that suggests
that Dickens felt that society was responsible for the poor happens in a conversation
with the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge expressed earlier that he believes that
the poor should go to prisons and workhouses. After they finish observing the present,
Scrooge notices that the ghost has aged and then realizes that there are children under
his robes. Scrooge is surprised and horrified at the sight of them, because they are
neglected. The Ghost of Christmas Present throws Scrooge's words back at him when he
asks who will care for the children, Ignorance and
Want:
"This
boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree; but most
of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the
writing be erased. Deny it!” cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city.
“Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse!
And bide the end!”
Dickens
reinforces the idea that protecting the children, eliminating ignorance and want, is
everyone's responsibility.
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