Tuesday, 15 July 2008

Which words sounded the 'blithest' to the ears of Ebenezer Scrooge?

At the very
end of "A Chrstmas Carol," when Scrooge has experienced the
visits from all the spirits and has had a profound change of heart, he hears the words
"Merry Christmas to you" and says they are the "blithest" of all words. This
is truly a remarkable change, as these very same words would have elicited a curt dismissal just
one night earlier.

In truth, it isn't just the words themselves but the
opening of Scrooge's heart to the joys and suffering of mankind that they evoke in him. He now
sees why he needs to help the poor and those less fortunate than himself. He understands that by
shutting out relationships with other humans, he has impoverished himself spiritually.
Christmas, the season when, traditionally, people are generous to others and congregate to
celebrate their affection for each other, now means something very powerful to
him.

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