The best value quote in A Christmas Carol is from Stave One:
Scrooge: "I can't afford to make idle people merry."
Let me break it down:
1/
Scrooge: "I can't afford to make idle people merry."
Let me break it down:
1/
"I can't afford"
Scrooge CAN, of course, afford to give a donation to charity. He learns later in the book that just a small amount of money can bring a huge amount of happiness.
But as someone who pursues the gain of money for its own sake...
2/
Scrooge CAN, of course, afford to give a donation to charity. He learns later in the book that just a small amount of money can bring a huge amount of happiness.
But as someone who pursues the gain of money for its own sake...
2/
he never feels comfortable with the amount he has, and has lost a sense of what the value of his money is.
3/
3/
"idle people"
This is really key because it shows that Scrooge views poor and needy people as merely idle: both in the sense of economically inactive and lazy. The needy are needy because of a failing in their character. Scrooge doesn't yet realise...
4/
This is really key because it shows that Scrooge views poor and needy people as merely idle: both in the sense of economically inactive and lazy. The needy are needy because of a failing in their character. Scrooge doesn't yet realise...
4/
that the "surplus population" have a human face and deserve help.
5/
5/
"merry".
The charity officials canvassing for money don't want to make people "merry". They are simply aiming to provide "meat and drink, and means of warmth" to those with nothing. Basic necessities.
6/
The charity officials canvassing for money don't want to make people "merry". They are simply aiming to provide "meat and drink, and means of warmth" to those with nothing. Basic necessities.
6/
But of course Scrooge demonstrates his ignorance here. Having not considered the plight of the poor, he sees charity as wasteful frivolity.
All in all: a lot of value in that one sentence.
7/7
All in all: a lot of value in that one sentence.
7/7
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