"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" These were first spoken by Scrooge in Stave one when his gentlemen callers seeking charitable donations of him It was then poised by the Ghost of Christmas Present
The ghost used Scrooge's own words against him in Stave 3 by reminding him of his past behavior and how it contributed to his current state of loneliness and isolation. The ghost showed him scenes from his past where he had disregarded the needs of others and focused solely on his own gain.
For asking where they (the poor) could find places to get welfare, food and warmth at the Christmas time, The spirit repeats Scrooge's outburst to the two gentlemen seeking a charitable donation, "Are there no Prisons, are there no workhouses?"
The spirits/ghosts used Scrooge's own words against him to make him understand and realize that his disrespectful remarks and his attitude towards the poor were harsh, unkind and unsympathetic. They wanted Scrooge to regret his callous comments and change his ways.
Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, none other of my species will find him here. But if he is to die, then let him die...! "AND DECREASE THE SURPLUS POPULATION!"
Ebenezer Scrooge: You use my own words against me?
Ghost of Christmas Present: Yes! So perhaps, in the future, you will hold your tongue until you have discovered where the surplus population is, and WHO it is. It may well be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than MILLIONS like this poor man's child.
Ebenezer: Have they no refuge, no resource?
Spirit of Christmas Present: [quoting Scrooge for the last time with his own words] Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?
He shows Scrooge what may happen if he (Scrooge ) does not change his miserly ways
He doesn't speak throughout the time
The Ghost of Christmas Present quoted Scrooge's own words to show him the impact of his attitude and actions on others. By echoing Scrooge's words back to him, the ghost highlighted the need for self-reflection and transformation in order to understand the consequences of his behavior and to encourage him to change for the better.
The words "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be only?" were repeated by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, causing Scrooge to feel ashamed of his current ways and the potential consequences of his actions.
The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge scenes from his past to help him reflect on his choices and behavior. The ghost does not say specific words to Scrooge but guides him through memories to evoke emotions and spur change.
The ghost repeats Scrooge's words from Act 1 to show him the impact of his actions and how they are affecting those around him. It serves as a powerful reminder for Scrooge to reflect on his behavior and the consequences of his actions on others. Ultimately, it prompts him to change his ways and seek redemption.
The ghost repeats Scrooge's own words to show him the impact of his harsh and unkind behavior on others. By echoing his own words back to him, the ghost helps Scrooge realize the consequences of his actions and the need for change. It prompts self-reflection and serves as a powerful lesson for Scrooge.
"Are there no prisons, are there no union work houses?"
In the original book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the third spirit is apparently the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. It never says anything to Ebenezer Scrooge, merely gestures, and is described as a hooded phantom, possibly like the stereotypical Grim Reaper.
Scrooge regrets how he mistreated others, neglected relationships, and prioritized money over compassion and kindness. He sees the opportunities he missed to bring joy to others and is deeply saddened by the consequences of his selfishness. Ultimately, he realizes the importance of love and generosity in life.
The Spirit replied that the poor had shelters and workhouses available to them. Scrooge questioned whether those were sufficient, to which the Spirit suggested that they would rather die than go there due to the harsh conditions.
He realizes how mean he really was
Hearing his own cruel words echoed by the Ghost of Christmas Present makes Scrooge recognize the impact of his words on others. It serves as a wake-up call for him to reflect on his actions and the harm he has caused. This moment prompts Scrooge to reconsider his beliefs and behavior, leading to his transformation.
The phrase its assumed you refer to (but is not n the original question) is about initially stave one when the two gentlemen approach scrooge for charitable donation to help the poor at the festive many who are starving. Scrooges response was "Are there no prisons?, Gentlemen reply "yes sir many prisons", Scrooge then asks are there no work houses and the treadmill is that fully employed?", again the gentleman reply "yes sir there are work houses and a trad mill but many would rather die than go to these places". Scrooges retort was, "then they better had and reduce the surplus population" . In stave three the Ghost of Christmas Present produces two malnourished poorly dressed children from beneath his robe, Scrooge asks whose child are these and seeing there poor condition asks "have they no one, no resource? (meaning do they not have someone to care for them of something to eat or drink) The ghost replies they are of mans making the boy is ignorance the girl is want , beware of both but more so the boy. The ghost then repeated Scrooges statement to the two gentlemen from stave one "Are there no prisons, are there no work houses?" This was to be the wake up call for Scrooges whose ignorance of the real effects of the world around him were going unnoticed