Key learning points

1. Dickens believed that children who faced injustice would grow up to become resentful adults
2. Sympathy is created for the isolated young Scrooge, so that we are able to understand his miserly behaviour in stave one
3. Fezziwig is opposite to Scrooge in every way, except that they are both wealthy employers
4. Whilst Scrooge is a misanthropic employer, Fezziwig is a benevolent employer who spends his money philanthropically
5. Through Fezziwig, Dickens illustrates the transformative power of money, if used philanthropically and generously

Keywords

• Injustice - Any act that involves unfairness to another or a violation of somebody’s rights can be described as an injustice.

• Resentful - Somebody resentful has a feeling of anger or bitterness because they feel they have been treated unfairly.

• Reminiscent - If a smell is reminiscent of your family home, it reminds you of it.

• Benevolent - Somebody benevolent is inherently kind and well-intentioned.

• Transformative - If something has the power to be transformative, it has the power to change things significantly for the better.

Common misconception