Mackenzie Lee

Mrs. Hawkins
English 8
8 January 2016
Transformation from a Hermit to a Charitable Man
Leo Tolsoy once wrote, Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of
changing himself meaning it is much easier to see the faults of others than to see the ones in
ourselves. In Charles Dickens classic novella, A Christmas Carol, a greedy recluse is haunted by
three spirits who help him redeem himself into a benevolent human being. Scrooge begins as a
loner who walks along the edges of human existence paying his clerk a mere 15 shillings a
week and changes into a joyous man who knew how to keep Christmas well as a benefactor to
Bob Crachits struggling family. While all of the ghosts play a part in Scrooges changed nature,
the Ghost of Christmas Future has the greatest influence on transforming Scrooge from a selfish
miser to a generous, kind soul.
Scrooge learns lessons from the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, but it is
ultimately the Ghost of Christmas Future who inspires Scrooge to beg for a second
chance to live his life as a better man. As Scrooge learns the identity of the deceased man
and sees his own grave, he falls on his knees and promises to live an altered life. I will
honor Christmas in my heartI will live in the Past, Present, and the Future (pg. 103).
Scrooge pledges to the ghost that he has learned all the lessons the ghosts have taught
him and promises to live a more charitable and loving life. In all, the Ghost of Christmas
Future has the greatest influence on transforming Scrooge from a self-centered, solitary
man to a cheery, giving man.