When scrooge tells Marley that Marley was always “a good man of business,” in act 1, scene 2 of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, Marley responds, “BUSINESS!!! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, where all, my business.” In a paragraph, explain what you think Marley means by those words. Use details about Marley from the play to support your opinion.

I have read the story but I do not understand what Marley means by “BUSINESS!!! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, where all, my business.” How would I answer the question?

To understand what Marley means by his response, "BUSINESS!!! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, where all, my business," we need to analyze the context and the character of Marley as portrayed in the play. Marley was Scrooge's deceased business partner, known for his ruthless approach to business during his lifetime. However, in this exchange with Scrooge, Marley reveals a change in perspective and regrets his past actions. By stating that mankind was his business, Marley emphasizes that his focus should have been on the well-being and welfare of others, rather than solely on monetary profit. He acknowledges that his disregard for charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence was a grave mistake. Marley's words reflect a realization of the true purpose and value of one's actions, suggesting that he now understands the importance of empathy and compassion towards fellow human beings.