Essay Questions

Why won't Scrooge visit Jacob Marley when he knows he's dying?

Marley has been laid up on death's bed and is at home awaiting his eminent death. He's called for Scrooge to come to his bedside, but his business partner refuses. Scrooge has denied his request as he won't leave work during business hours. Instead Ebenezer waits until the work day is over before he will consider stepping one foot towards the home of his dearest friend and business partner.

Why did Scrooge choose to stop working with Fezziwig?

Fezziwig was Scrooge's mentor and former employer. When he goes back into the past he sees Fezziwig throwing a party for his employees at a nominal cost to him. Scrooge even sees his girlfriend, Alice there whom he loved dearly. Scrooge left the employment and mentorship of Fezziwig in order to work with Mr. Jorkin who promised him he'd make a great deal of money, which he has. But Scrooge has also inherited the man's cruel outlook on life and has adopted his bitterness to match. He's become the antithesis of who he once was and was becoming under Fezziwig.

What is the impetus of Scrooge's pushing away love?

We watch as The Spirit of Christmas Past takes Scrooge into his childhood where we see his father dismissing the young Ebenezer. He's done so because Ebenezer survived childbirth while his mother did not. Scrooge's father only saw the death of his wife when he looked at his son, and thus shunned him for it and never chose to get close to him. This is the impetus for Scrooge's need for significance which he sought through money, when in fact it was to be found through love in relationship to others.