if they would rather die,'' said scrooge analysis

When the charity workers said that many would rather die, Scrooge says something like "then they should do it, and decrease the surplus population". “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” The riots in the UK in the last week have put Goodgoat in mind of A Christmas Carol and the conversation with Scrooge: Charles Dickens used A Christmas Carol to attack social injustices of the time, particularly the indifference of wealthy people towards the poor. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. ‘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 enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Dimensions are 1500 by 850 pixels. “Are they still in operation?”, “They are. In stave two dickens changes the readers perception of Scrooge changes. 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. (c) Copyright 2012 – 2021 The Circumlocution Office | All Rights Reserved | Built by The Circumlocution Office using WordPress. Learn how your comment data is processed. This chilling recommendation by Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol is spoken of the “poor” in his encounter with the gentlemen from the charitable society. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. "It's not my business," Scrooge returned. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Later on in the story, Scrooge will witness what poverty has done to the family of his own employee, Bob Cratchit, when he witnesses a vision of their desperately ill son, Tiny Tim, having died. 'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. The first time he was asked to give some money the help the poor, he rejected this and replied with a rude and cruel statement, “‘Are there no prisons?’” throughout the conversation one of the charity men said about this was, some would rather die upon hearing this Scrooge said “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. Scrooge says ‘I can’t afford to make idle people merry… if they would rather die… then they better had do it and decrease the surplus population.’ This is said to charity collectors, showing Scrooge’s selfishness. A similar view is presented later in the conversation, when the men argue – when they describe the prisons, workhouses, and other facilities where the poor go – that “many can’t go there, and many would rather die” (Dickens 15). "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Scrooge admits that he would rather die that live under the conditions that poor men live under. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”, “Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge out of a Gothic window in the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds, with tremulous vibrations afterwards as if its teeth were chattering in its frozen head up there. He always did. Besides-excuse me-I don't know that.' … If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” The businessman Ebenezer Scrooge has more than enough to share some of his money, particularly at a traditionally charitable time such as Christmas as reflected by two visiting charity collectors who explain it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. “Are they still in operation? ‘I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. It they would rather die," said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. "Many can't go there; and many would rather die." When Scrooge is touched by their plight, the Ghost again uses his words against him, saying to Scrooge Are there no prisons? “I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. “If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population” is a quotation from A Christmas Carol . Design changes: Please bear with us if you come across anything that may look a little disjointed. Basically that his (scrooge's) tax money went to the prisons and poor houses, and that if the poor wanted charity, they should go to those places. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.” It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. "Many can't go there; and many would rather die." His business partner, the equally mean Jacob Marley, died seven years previous and he lives alone, having never married. In stave two dickens changes the readers perception of Scrooge changes. Besides--excuse me--I don't know that." (Frankly, this looks like a win-win for the AGW crowd.) Is its pattern strange to you?‘” #3: “Scrooge knew he was dead? Charles Dickens’s The Seven Poor Travellers. Are there no workhouses? "But you might know it," observed the gentleman. Malthus argued that increases in population would overtake the development of sufficient land for crops and diminish the ability of the world to feed itself. Cloudflare Ray ID: 6318214c68d9cdb3 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.” “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." I don’t make merry myself at Christmas, and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. ... after all, that would reduce their carbon footprint. ‘Tell me why?’ ‘I wear the chain I forged in life,’ replied the Ghost. The protagonist of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is the cold-hearted and mean-spirited accountant. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion, Gain, engrosses you. They represent contemporary problems in society caused by the attitude of the wealthy towards the poor. 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! Oct 9, 2012 - "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population" Later on that night Scrooge’s words are used against him when The Ghost of Christmas Present rebukes him, saying ‘If man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. He says this in the first stave of the story. Scrooge’s words imply he would rather the poor be dead, as he views them as a burden to society if they are not able to support themselves. • • Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. “And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Your IP: 62.210.24.53 Dickens was opposed to the views of Thomas Malthus and uses the mean character of Scrooge to show this. His rather apocalyptic conclusions that poverty and mass starvation was an inevitable result of population growth were still current in British intellectual thinking at the time that A Christmas Carol was written, although Malthus had died nine years before. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him. Learn more about Charles Dickens, his works. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? Scrooge’s view of decreasing the surplus population was a contemporary idea introduced by the economist Thomas Malthus (1766 – 1834). The introduction of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act took away local parish help for the poor and institutionalized the process with Union workhouses. He suggests that if they would rather die, "they had better do it", and "decrease the surplus population". If they would rather die...they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. (51 votes, average: 6.76 out of 10)Loading... We have made our A Christmas Carol quotation slides (seen at the top of each quotation page) available to download for academic or other non-commercial purposes. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. The brightness of the shops where holly sprigs and berries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows, made pale faces ruddy as they passed. He believes that his taxes pay for the prisons and the workhouses, so he doesn't feel he needs to donate anything to charity. Not wanting to part with his money, the miserly Scrooge hides behind a Malthusian excuse that if they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Scrooge views the poor and economically inactive (which he terms idle ) as a burden to society, better off in a … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Of course he did. Scrooge's views lead him to exploit people like Bob Cratchit. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die?‘. "It's not my business," Scrooge returned. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. "But you might know it," observed the gentleman. Later on, in a vision presented by the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge will see the impact of poverty in the household of Bob Crachit, his underpaid clerk, and their disabled son Tim. “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. In a poll from 2012, held by the publisher. Besides--excuse me--I don't know that." How could it be otherwise? they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population, Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices, I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry, It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s, Click here to see our collection of quotations related to the character of Ebenezer Scrooge. “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Interpretations of “A Christmas Carol” have often tried to turn it into an assault on the wealthy, critiquing capitalism’s effect on society. 'But you might know it,' observed the gentleman. Scrooge angrily replies that prisons and workhouses are the only institutions he is willing to support and those who are badly off must go there. He wants the Poor Law, workhouses or prisons to deal with the destitute, questioning the collectors whether The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then? Cover of A Christmas Carol (Whole Story) “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”—from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas … What does Scrooge mean when he says: 'If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population'. Later on, the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to Bob Cratchit's home, where he … The Ghost of Christmas Present then rebukes Scrooge with these Malthusian words (Stave 3). 'It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. "But you might know it," observed the gentleman. The Ghost warns Scrooge that Tim will die unless his life alters, repeating Scrooge’s callous remarks back to him If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Interesting, isn’t it? "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.' "Man," said the Ghost, "if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. “But you might know it,” observed the gentleman. I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. before commenting that I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. Taken from the following passage of Stave 1 (Marley’s Ghost) of A Christmas Carol: “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. “It’s not my business,” Scrooge returned. "It's not my business," Scrooge returned. What shall I put you down for?”, “I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief. "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. “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. Dickens’s attack on social injustice is most graphically shown by the two figures of an emaciated boy and girl, known as Ignorance and Want, shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge: “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.” Scrooge: “I am as light as a feather, I am … `If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, `they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides excuse me don’t know that” This shows the difference between rich and poor in that mime period, As well as producing a stronger dislike towards Scrooge. Later in the story, in a vision shown by the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, we witness some of the poorest people in society, living in a squalid slum area, dividing up Scrooge’s stolen belongings to make a living, one of them commenting every person has a right to take care of themselves. Good afternoon, gentlemen!”Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew. Later in the story, the Ghost of Christmas Present reminds Scrooge of his earlier words and then adds about Tiny Tim: “What then? "Many can't go there; and many would rather die." We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. `It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. If man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” `It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach! `But you might know it,' observed the gentleman. “It’s not my business,” Scrooge returned. If they would rather die, said Scrooge, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. In return for food and shelter, the poor had to live semi-incarcerated lives in institutions where families were often split apart and made to do menial tasks to earn their keep. Quotation said by Ebenezer Scrooge at the beginning of the story of A Christmas Carol, introducing the cold-hearted, miserly nature of the character to the reader. 'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. Besides excuse me I don't know that" This shrubs the difference between rich and poor in that time period, As well as producing a stronger dislike towards Scrooge. Scrooge denies this request stating that the poor should be sent to prisons and workhouses. Scrooge is apathetic (show a lack of concern or interest) about the plight of the poor. Besides—excuse me—I don't know that." They had better do it , and decrease the surplus population." Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Besides — excuse me — I don't know that." "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." “It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s. Available as GIF images, the files can be used for presentation slides, flashcards, handouts etc. Mine occupies me constantly. We make them free to download and use on the undertanding they are not then sold or used for commercial purposes (and a credit to our site would be nice!). "But you might know it," observed the gentleman. Through a visit one Christmas Eve by the ghost of Marley and three subsequent spirits, Scrooge is awakened to his meaness and the impact it has on others. “It’s not my business,” Scrooge returned. If they would rather die, they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population. He admits that the poor are simply “surplus population”. "But you might know it," observed the gentleman. Scrooge views the poor and economically inactive (which he terms idle) as a burden to society, better off in a workhouse or even dead. Give your view on “If they would rather die, they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population” with a rating and help us compile the very best Charles Dickens quotations. ..."If they would rather die.. If you like this, we think you might also be interested in these related quotations. The harsh comment is repeated back to Scrooge in stave 3 when he asks whether Tiny Tim will live. In the movie Christmas Carol Scrooge is a a man that thinks Christmas is all humbug. He suggests that if they would rather die, "they had better do it" and "decreases the surplus population". "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. Besides—excuse me—I don’t know that.”. The word ‘surplus’ suggests that Scrooge considers there to be too many people Quite a character, Scrooge. Scrooge is visited in his counting-house by two benefactors wishing to make provision for the poor and destitute at Christmas time. He believes that his taxes pay for the prisons and workhouses, so he doesn't feel the needs to donate anything to charity.

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