As a youth Scrooge was very fond of "old Fezziwig." This affection is evinced when the Spirit of Christmas Past shows Scrooge scenes from his youth as he worked for Fezziwig. In one particular scene that the Spirit shows Scrooge, there are two apprentices, Scrooge and another youth, who "pour out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig."
When the Spirit asks Scrooge why Fezziwig has deserved so much praise, Scrooge is enraged. He speaks as though he were young again, saying,
"He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil....The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune."
Ironically, Scrooge acknowledges how a warm heart lights the fires of other hearts, how happiness and human warmth are contagious, and how much good will lightens the drudgery of work. After he says these things, Scrooge thinks of his own clerk and wishes that he could say "a word or two" to him. However, the Spirit whisks him to another scene.
No comments:
Post a Comment