The two portly gentlemen
Scrooge is to stingy.
Scrooge believes that the poor should go to prisons and workhouses instead of relying on charity from others.
At the end of the book on Christmas Day Scrooge promises the Businessman a very substantial donation for the poor and needy. The sum is never disclosed
Scrooge believes that the poor belong in workhouses or prisons if they are unable to support themselves through their own means. He sees no obligation to care for or assist them beyond what is strictly necessary.
The schoolmaster did not care for Scrooge because Scrooge showed no interest in his studies, seemed indifferent to learning, and was often seen daydreaming in class. Scrooge's lack of enthusiasm and poor academic performance likely led to the schoolmaster's disinterest in him.
The "man" was a philanthropist and business man who had asked for a donation to help the poor and need at this special time of year. Scrooge had refused him asking if there were no prison or work houses that these people could go to . In that last stave of the book Scrooge begs for the mans' forgiveness and makes an undisclosed offering to him for the needy and Scrooge mad the donation a large one to make up for all the ones he'd previously refused.
No, in the beginning of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Scrooge refuses to donate to charity, saying that the poor should go to workhouses or prisons instead. It is only after his visits from the ghosts that he becomes charitable and generous.
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge. "Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again. "And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?" "They are. 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! I was afraid , from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I am very glad to hear it."
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.
Not on their first meeting as they asked " are we addressing Mr Marley or Mr Scrooge"
They are asking him for money to help the poor. He doesn't want to give them any, saying that there are already poorhouses, workhouses, and prisons. He also feels that deaths among the destitute would "decrease the surplus population."
This is because at the time it was in Britain a crime to be poor and without money to buy what you need. Many who fell in to debt were sent to prison. Indeed Dickens father was placed in prison for owing a baker 12/6p (12 shillings and six pence) for the bread he needed for his children.
He says this in reference to a solitary boy left at Christmas time in School - The "poor boy" was in fact Scrooge
Are these the visions of will be or could be
Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons? And the treadmill is that still employed.
Bob Cratchit
Burn it and bury it in sacred ground OR You can donate it to raise money for the poor OR You can sale it in eBay and donate the proceed to the poor.