[A Christmas Carol, which isn't quite done with me, is such a short, concentrated work that it contains many "significant" passages. The following scene occurs early in the book in Ebenezer Scrooge's office on Christmas Eve morning. It gives the reader a clear attestation to Scrooge's attitude towards the poor and what he thinks should be done with them. He bristles at the use of the word "liberality" by one of the men seeking a charitable donation from him, and claims to have no knowledge of the condition of the poor. Yet, as he will discover, his life is tied directly to the lives of everyone else in the world.]
They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold, and now stood, with their hats off, in Scrooge’s office. They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed to him.
“Scrooge and Marley’s, I believe,” said one of the
gentlemen, referring to his list. “Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr.
Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?”
“Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years,” Scrooge
replied. “He died seven years ago, this very night.”
“We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his
surviving partner,” said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.
It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At
the ominous word “liberality,” Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed
the credentials back.
“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the
gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should
make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at
the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of
thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”
“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge.
“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen
again.
“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they
still in operation?”
“They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could
say they were not.”
“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?”
said Scrooge.
“Both very busy, sir.”
“Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that
something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. “I’m
very glad to hear it.”
“Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian
cheer of mind or body to the multitude,” returned the gentleman, “a few of us
are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means
of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want
is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”
“Nothing!” Scrooge replied.
“You wish to be anonymous?”
“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me
what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at
Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the
establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off
must go there.”
“Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”
“If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better
do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don’t know
that.”
“But you might know it,” observed the gentleman.
“It’s not my business,” Scrooge returned. “It’s enough for a
man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s.
Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!”
Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their
point, the gentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved
opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.
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