Scrooge's Views on Social Institutions and Personal Habits

The final section of this Scrooge character analysis Stave 1 further explores his attitudes towards social institutions and reveals telling details about his personal habits. These elements combine to create a comprehensive picture of Scrooge's character at the beginning of the novel.

Quote: "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?"

This series of rhetorical questions demonstrates Scrooge's dismissive attitude towards the poor and his belief that they belong in institutions rather than receiving charitable assistance. The angry tone and the association of poverty with criminality reveal the depth of Scrooge's prejudice.

Vocabulary: Workhouses - institutions where the poor were forced to work in harsh conditions in exchange for food and shelter.

Understanding the nature of workhouses in Victorian England is crucial to grasping the full impact of Scrooge's callous suggestions.

Quote: "Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it"

This simple statement speaks volumes about Scrooge's character. It shows that his miserliness extends beyond mere accumulation of wealth to affect even the most basic aspects of his daily life.

Example: Rather than lighting a candle to dispel the darkness and potentially soothe his nerves, Scrooge prefers to save money by walking in darkness.

This example illustrates how Scrooge's obsession with saving money impacts his quality of life, choosing discomfort over even minor expenses. It paints a picture of a man so consumed by greed that he denies himself basic comforts, setting the stage for the transformative journey he will undergo throughout the story.