A Christmas Carol: Ebenezer & Belle
The comparison of Scrooge and his lost love Belle from the most well-known Christmas stories of all time.
“Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content to be so, until, in good season, we could improve our worldly fortune by our patient industry” (Dickens, 44)
Although they have strong similarities their differences were vital. She was selfless and fully ready to sacrifice everything and anything for him but he was selfish and couldn’t sacrifice his wealth for his love. She was honest and direct but he was vague and too hesitant. Had he reacted swiftly after she said goodbye and chased after her to negate all she said and say that he wanted her more than anything they could have salvaged their relationship. If Belle had only told him sooner before his love for gain became so great then maybe he would have changed and she would’ve felt important. Either way there’s no denying the fact there’s no way to eliminate these differences from the past but if they’d only known sooner there isn’t a thing in their lives that wouldn’t be different.
“You fear the world too much. All your other hopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid reproach. I have seen all your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master passion, Gain, engrosses you” (Dickens, 44)
Even though Belle and Ebenezer spent most of their lives apart they were so close for such a crucial period in each other’s lives the impact of their relationship will be eternal. Maybe they weren’t meant to be married but they were doubtlessly meant to be a prevalent part of each other’s life even if it’s only the two of them who realize that. Although neither of them realized at the time they broke-up Scrooge really did love her more than any amount of money. Truthfully, I think Belle wonders about him and what could’ve been more than she’d like to admit. Despite their past problems and on-going silence I hope the future allows them to meet again, but we can’t ever know for sure whether they do or not.
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