Hello. I don't need you to help me cheat, I swear that's not what I'm trying to do, but if you could help me out that would be a blessing.
When Scrooge tells Marley that Marley was always “a good man of business,” in Act 1, Scene 3 of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, Marley responds, “BUSINESS!!! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all, my business.” In a paragraph, explain what you think Marley means by these words. Use details about Marley from the play to support your opinion.
What I'm confused about, is who Marley was as a person. The obvious assumption would be:
Marley is saying that he, rather than being rude and introverted in his business, was the kinder, more patient and tolerable, less greedy of the two. HOWEVER, when you learn more about his character you see the he is chained to his greed. He broke one of the Seven Deadly Sins; Greed. So, was he really Kind, Charitable, and patient. If you can send me links, or even explain it to me a little, that would be such a huge help. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, @Ms. Karis ! I'll check it out! Have a wonderful day! :-)
You too!!
I found an article about this story/play/book.
If it doesnt help let me know I can dig deeper!
www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-word-business-mean-marleys-words-chrismas-124579
Hello! I'm happy to help you out with your question.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, Marley's response to Scrooge's comment about being a good man of business provides insight into who Marley was as a person. Marley states, "BUSINESS!!! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all, my business."
It is true that Marley had succumbed to greed during his life, which is evident by the heavy chains he is now bound by. However, Marley's words suggest that in retrospect, he has come to realize the importance of larger moral values beyond just business success. He believes that his business should have been focused on serving humanity and improving the welfare of all people. This implies that Marley now understands that his true calling should have been to practice charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence in all aspects of life, including his business affairs.
Marley's regret and acknowledgement of his past failures may indicate a transformation in his understanding of what truly matters in life. Despite his past mistakes, he now recognizes the importance of kindness, compassion, and generosity towards others. By emphasizing that "mankind was my business," Marley is suggesting that he should have prioritized the well-being of others instead of being solely preoccupied with personal gain.
To further explore Marley's character and his journey of redemption, you can refer to the original text of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens or check out reliable literary analysis websites and articles that discuss Marley's role in the story. Examples of such sources include literary journals, academic databases, or websites dedicated to the study of Dickens' works.
Remember, it's important to approach any analysis or interpretation by considering multiple perspectives and making connections using evidence from the text.