A Christmas Carol Group

Question:

localseabird
localseabird
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What is the conflict in A Christmas Carol?

and in which chapter

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Posted by localseabird on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at 4:43 AM and tagged with a christmas carol, conflict, dickens.


Answers:

  1. parkerlee
    parkerlee Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    Although Scrooge doesn't get along with anybody around him, the main conflict he faces is within himself. The spirit of his old business partner Marley first warns him to change his ways; then come the different "visitations" of the Christmas spirits of the past, present and future to "finish the job."  Scrooge is forced to face his failures in human relationships in both the present and the past, as he relives moment of loss in his youth and sees in a new way the plight of the Cratchet family and Tiny Tim.  Through these visions or dreams Scrooge undergoes a spiritual awakening and come to terms with his own greed and estrangement from others. He learns both compassion and love as well as the pleasure of freely giving and receiving. In short, Scrooge repents of his past ways and becomes a new man.

    It is interesting to note that just when Scrooge seemed to be beyond reach of human help, divine help intervenes and delivers him from his former 'self.' In this respect, 'A Christmas Carol' is an enchanting tale approaching the genre of  a miracle play in which anything (even the most unexpected turn of events) can happen.

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    Posted by parkerlee on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at 8:22 AM