A Christmas Carol Group

Question:

charna08
charna08
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Stave III of A Christmas Carol, how does the Ghost of Christmas Present compare Scrooge's life to that of Tiny Tim?

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Posted by charna08 on Sunday January 6, 2008 at 9:02 PM and tagged with a christmas carol, characters, ghost of christmas present, scrooge, stave iii, themes, tiny tim.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    The Ghost says to Scrooge, "It may be that in the sight of Heaven you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child" (Stave iii).  The Ghost is referring to Bob Cratchit's crippled but beloved child Tiny Tim.  Despite his condition, Tiny Tim is cheerful and generous, and the Ghost is saying that in God's sight the crippled child is more worthy and fit to live than someone like Scrooge, who has contempt for the poor and weak and no love in his heart.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/christmas-carol/summary

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    Posted by dymatsuoka on Sunday January 6, 2008 at 10:04 PM


  2. brendawm Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge in so many words that the crippled child is more worthy or deserving of living than Scrooge himself because of the type of person that he is.  Tiny Tim, poor as he is, and handicapped, as well, is content with his life.  He is the picture of a happy child, as far as one can be happy in his circumstances, because he has the love and care of his family,and this makes him happy.  The Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge that, in the eyes of Heaven, he is much more worthy of life than the miserly and discontented Scrooge.  He is completely miserable in his life, even with all his wealth; nothing makes him happy.  He looks down on the poor and less fortunate, viewing himself in much higher regard than the poor.  Scrooge is a selfish and self-centered man with much wealth; however, he is missing the one thing that would provide him with the happiness that poor little Tiny Tim possesses in his own life--the love of family.
    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/christmas-carol/summary

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    Posted by brendawm on Saturday January 12, 2008 at 4:41 PM