Zulfida Devianti Kusumawardani

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Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol 
Culture Approach: The Value of Humanities

           A Christmas Carol is a story written by Charles Dickens. This story

recounts the experience of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elder miser who hates Christmas
and is later visited by the ghost of his old business partner and three Christmas
spirits, past, present, and future. This story was first published in London in 1843.
Scrooge's character development can not be separated from the time this story was
written which has continuity with the culture of Christmas itself. Matthew
Arnold’s, Culture and Anarchy spells out one of two major theories of culture. In
Culture and Anarchy, Matthew Arnold (1822-88) articulated a theory of culture
that continues to influence thinking about the value of the humanities. 
 In 1843 when Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, monarchy was
subsequently “restored,” the winter holiday traditions, re-evaluating Christmas
traditions including carols and newer customs. Within the story, Scrooge is
portrayed as a selfish and greedy person who sizes Christmas as a worthless and
useless thing to do. The idea of Scrooge, who is the ultimate miser and did not
hold affection for the rest of humanity except for how much money He could
make out of them, in contrast to Christmas celebrations as a pleasurable, kind, and
forgiving time. Scrooge's character development on Christmas Eve converts from
his misanthropy to great benevolence and love for humanity exist to influence
thinking in the value of humanities. Here is an example of Scrooge’s hatred
toward Christmas. 
Bah! (As soon as Cratchit opens the door, the sounds of the street begin, very
bright and loud……Christmas Eve. Carolers! Bah! There. Another day. (He
opens his door and peers out.) Black, very black… 
Changing from the overnight visit, Scrooge realizes the worthlessness of
living in ignorance of human beings. The word Misanthropy which describes
Scrooge's character is now changing into a good-hearted man by becoming more
caring to his surroundings, such as helping Tiny Tim improve his health, and
kindly joining to celebrate Christmas Eve by dining together. The development in
his character can be seen in text.
Now, where are they?.... Changing into Goodman. Come up, girl. (They mount
to the top of the taxi. This action may be stylistically suggested.) Would you be
an old man’s guide to a Christmas dinner? 
 ….What? Back already? And such a turkey. …..Here, money for the cab, for the
turkey, and for you, good man! (The boy and the butcher, delighted, catch the
money and run out. Scrooge sees the gentleman visitor walking by the
window.)...Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! 
Based on the line, we can conclude that Scrooge's character change
portrayed a strong association with Christmas in 1843 when Christmas began to
flourish in the first decade of monarchy, forming the elements of celebrations on
Christmas today. Christmas here has a role as a bridge between the ‘miracle’
where Scrooge can meet the spirits and change his future from the cultural
tradition that He once loathed. Scrooge's character development could help to
open the hearts of the prosperous and powerful toward the poor and powerless as
a true value of humanity, especially on Christmas day. 

References: 
Logan , P. M. (2012, July). Peter Melville Logan, "on culture: Matthew Arnold's
culture and anarchy, 1869″. BRANCH. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from
https://branchcollective.org/ ?ps_articles=peter-logan-on-culture-matthew-
arnolds-culture-and-anarchy-1869 
Sutherland, J. (2014, May 15). British Library. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from
   https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the- origins-of-a-christmas-
carol Christine Lalumia | Published in History Today Volume 51 Issue 12
December 2001, & Christine  
 Lalumia is the Deputy Director of the Geffrye Museum. (n.d.).   Scrooge and
Albert. History Today. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/scrooge-and-albert