Changes

''A Christmas Carol'' is essentially the story of [[Ebenezer Scrooge]], a master of money exchange who built up his own wealth through years of work, but at the same time built up his own tightfisted, miserly ways as well; so miserly in fact that he would rather have the poor and destitute go to the prisons and workhouses and live there (where his own taxes are put to use), and if they die then the "surplus population" is decreased, rather than give the slightest amount to charity on their behalf.

''A Christmas Carol'' is essentially the story of [[Ebenezer Scrooge]], a master of money exchange who built up his own wealth through years of work, but at the same time built up his own tightfisted, miserly ways as well; so miserly in fact that he would rather have the poor and destitute go to the prisons and workhouses and live there (where his own taxes are put to use), and if they die then the "surplus population" is decreased, rather than give the slightest amount to charity on their behalf.

But things change when Scrooge's dead business partner, Jacob Marley, returns from beyond, bearing the ponderous chains of guilt, and warns Scrooge that he will face similar consequences (worsened by seven more years -- the story is set seven years to the day of Marley's death) unless he changes from within.  Scrooge will be given the chance to repent by the visitation of three spirits (the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future).  

But things change when Scrooge's dead business partner, Jacob Marley, returns from beyond, bearing the ponderous chains of guilt, and warns Scrooge that he will face similar consequences (worsened by seven more years—the story is set seven years to the day of Marley's death) unless he changes from within.  Scrooge will be given the chance to repent by the visitation of three spirits (the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future).  

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to his unhappy childhood, his unfeeling father, the loss of his sister giving birth to Fred (his nephew and only relative), and the breakup of his engagement to Belle due to his move of money.  

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to his unhappy childhood, his unfeeling father, the loss of his sister giving birth to Fred (his nephew and only relative), and the breakup of his engagement to Belle due to his move of money.