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Littlewolf1When I went into reading this book I wasn‘t really thinking that I would be so impacted by the story. At the end, I was bawling my eyes out. It was really good and I truly enjoyed it.4y
Littlewolf1I feel like this was the greatest turning point in the story. When we first hear the original story, Ebeneezer goes through with the three spirits and his desire is to change is evident and he has given that chance. However, in this retelling, we learned that he doesn‘t have much time left and then his remorse is not necessarily for others. It is the sacrifice that Marley that finally gives Ebenezer that Second chance at life and his soul.4y
megnewsTo each his own regarding religion, but for me, in this, I see a Christ figure willing to sacrifice on someone else‘s behalf so that their life can be better.4y
sblbooks@Littlewolf1 I agree. You bring up a good point that the remorse that Scrooge showed may not have been for others.4y
sblbooks@megnews Me too! The first thing I thought was this reminds of the crucifixion and the verse John 3:164y
Littlewolf1I could be wrong, because I‘ve been on before, but my personal thought on this is that don‘t be ignorant about all you have and stop wanting for what you don‘t need.4y
megnewsWhile stacking away treasure, he invested in ignorance of the true meaning of life and want for anything that could truly fulfill.4y
sblbooksWe all should strive to influence those around us for good. To be a good citizen, we must care for others. Marley and Scrooge ignored this responsibility for most of their lives. It's a warning to us, not to do the same.4y
EH2018In his interactions with others he preyed on the ignorance of others and their desire for things, and used this to build his life. Instead of focusing on the good and trying to help and influence others positively.4y
Littlewolf1Don‘t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. You don‘t have to be prideful about the care and compassion you show for the world. It‘s not about you, it‘s about others.4y
megnewsI absolutely love it and think this is what life is all about. Sometimes it is not about the grand gesture but the small things we can do to make someone else‘s life better, perhaps they never even know it.4y
sblbooksI loved this quote! A great reminder that it's not about getting the credit. Like@Littlewolf1 said, It about others! Yes!@megnews I agree, it's the little things mean the most some times.4y
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EH2018I really liked this quote also! Its about human purpose, and how we all have one. Everything we do, even if not in our interactions with people, but any act we engage in can have an affect on others, it all matters.4y
ReadswithcoffeeAnd not only do we have those opportunities in life, but unknown to us, others are removing obstacles in our path. It would be a kinder world if we all looked for ways to make others‘ lives easier or at least more pleasant.4y
Littlewolf1Because in the end, Marley forgave and asked for forgiveness. In the end, Marley‘s concern was not for himself the another.4y
megnewsHe may not have been able to redeem himself but he was given the opportunity to redeem another and in some way that redeemed him because it showed he cared about his fellow humanity and still hoped to be able to make a difference.4y
EH2018Agreed, he saw the error of his ways, and tried to help scrooge when he realized that he was wrong.4y
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shellleigh33I believe that Marley realized his mistakes at the end when it was to late for him but he did not want the same ending for the one acquaintance (Scrooge) he had if he could help it. I felt really sorry for how he had made this man and wanted to make a difference in his life4y
ReadswithcoffeeI think Marley‘s ability to finally show compassion to another person is a type of redemption for him.4y
Littlewolf1Ebeneezer wanted to be the best of his business as well. And when he was judge based off what Marley considered being a failure, he could never let that be seen again. It also put the nail in the coffin when it came to his idea of marriage to Bell.4y
megnewsHis influence regarding marriage cost Scrooge his love and whatever softness she could have brought to him. Without relationship, Scrooge became isolated and bitter, a shell of the person he could have been.4y
sblbooks@Littlewolf1 and@megnews Absolutely, Marley influence Scrooge to put work ahead of family. I wander what would have happened if Ebenezer knew that it was Jacob who threw his sister out on the street and ultimately caused her death?4y
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EH2018As@sblbooks mentioned, perhaps he was affected by the loss of his sister, influenced by Marley. That could have hardened him a bit. Then being bullied into being more of a bully didnt help. Ebenezer was left to fend for himself as a young child/man and seemed to look up to marley as a successful businessman. Marley played on Ebenezer's practical mind to convince his to follow his lead and choose work over family4y
EH2018I think marley, also flawed, saw himself in Ebenezer and lead him down the same path, never taking the time to consider how shallow a life he led until he was on his own deathbed and only then considered where life had taken him4y
sblbooks@EH2018 I agree that losing his sister had a profound effect on Ebenezer, and it did harden him.4y
shellleigh33I have to agree with@sblbooks I also wondered if Scrooge ever knew that Jacob had threw his sister in the cold? I know they was both business men but I feel like he loves his sister very much.4y
ReadswithcoffeeHe reinforced those goals Ebenezer had already set for himself.4y
Littlewolf1To be more humble and not so prideful. If he accepted that he was good at something, and that could be used for good, it could have changed his entire outlook. However, instead he use it as a way to show that he had to be the best at everything, including being cruel and unforgiving.4y
sblbooks@Littlewolf1 excellent point. It's all about the choices we make in life.4y
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EH2018Someone could have stepped in and helped him find a better use for his gifts, as he ended up learning he should have done for Ebenezer4y
sblbooks@EH2018 Yes, his family tried, it's just a shame that Jacob pushed them away.4y
ReadswithcoffeeIn retrospect, had his family known how he would turn out, perhaps they could have done more to guide him. However, strong-willed people can be difficult to guide.4y
Roary47He was named after his grandfather who saved several children from a fire. It stated: “He gave his all” on his gravestone when he himself passed away in the fire trying to save the last child. The significance of his name change was part short handing his signature for the booking he would do and also his realization whether conscious or not that he was not giving his all to others.4y
Littlewolf1His grandfather was a good man and his parents named him, or his dad named him, because of the goodness that he could bring to the world. However, he removed it from is in completely to show that he was never going to be that man. In the end, he accepted who he was, and who he could have been, by accepting his name again.4y
megnewsHis family wanted him to honor his grandfather and I think he did too when he was young so you see Thelonius used. Each change took him a step away from wanting to be associated with the sacrifice his grandfather made. He knew he wasn‘t that person and had no desire to be.4y
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CoffeeNBooksThelonius represents the greatness of his grandfather, and each name change symbolizes how Jacob lost sight of that and how far removed he'd become from the greatness of his grandfather.4y
Littlewolf1That a single act of kindness can make all the difference, and self-sacrifice can change everything. To pay more attention to not what you have but what you give to others.4y
megnewsThat 💰 doesn‘t buy happiness, blessing, joy. That we are here to love others and make a difference not amass wealth that‘s gone when you die.4y
sblbooksTo beware of pride, the importance of forgiveness, and that we have a moral obligation to care for those less fortunate than ourselves.4y
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sblbooks@Littlewolf1 Yes,I loved the part when Jacob took Ebenezer's chains on himself. Greater love hath no man...4y
sblbooks@megnews True. Marley and Scrooge had everything money could buy yet they were the most unhappy. In contrast, the Cratchits were poor and had nothing by the world's standards, but they we're happy and they had each other.4y
EH2018That every life matters, and we all have a purpose. Our lives impact others, and being kind is so important over being right or being in control or having money.4y
shellleigh33That all the money in the world can not buy you happiness and love. Sometimes it is better to give and help others to experience true joy, love, and happiness in life.4y
Littlewolf1There‘s so much to go over here. First you‘re looking at this through the eyes of Jacob Marley. You get a better sense of his influence on Ebenezer Scrooge, compared to in the original telling you don‘t get that sense of how much impact that influence actually had. Also in the original story, you have a sense that Scrooge‘s response to the spirits made the difference, Instead of the influence and sacrifice made by Marley.4y
Roary47I agree with Littlewolf that you are looking at a Classic story with a different set of eyes. While the stories do line up as you get to the middle of the story there is so much more depth reached when an influential member of Scrooge‘s life is introduced and we view their role as well as their perspective in a story familiar with the majority of us.4y
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megnews@Roary47 I agree. In the original I was left with more of an impression that Marley just didn‘t want Scrooge to experience the same afterlife as he. In this we find additionally it is probably guilt for how he contributed to Scrooge‘s potential afterlife. It is good to recall that no one lives in a vacuum. Those around impact us & contribute to who we become.4y
sblbooks@Littlewolf1 True, in Marley story you realize how much what we do in life impacts and influences others.4y
EH2018So true, the original suggested that how we interacted with others was important, but this story really delved deeper, and also the concept of redemption was really emphasized more greatly in the retelling4y
