I don't know why I'm telling anybody this, but I saw a tumblr post the other day that was like "she ebbin on my neezer till I scrooge" and I can't get it out of my head, help. (Excellent video BTW ^_^)
It's almost been a year since this video was released and it is time for a rewatch as we're nearing the holidays. It's probably my favourite Christmas-themed essay on RUclips. I'll be revisiting this for years to come, great work dude
I didn't expect that this channel would have another upload but I am delighted to see something new. It was also fun to hear some other familiar voices during the video
Not even Scrooge thought Scrooge was the good guy. Even before the whole ghost thing, he had no illusions about how he was a “job creator”. He was just a bitter, miserly asshole who hated everybody around him, and was resigned to simply sitting alone in his dark, depressing house with all his money.
Scrooge was absolutely the kind of guy who would comfort himself with the idea that "goodness" and "morality" are abstract silly preconceptions that the ignorant masses believe, and he is an enlightened individual who is above them
My friend sent me a link to this and I am very grateful. This was an excellent video, both in content and execution. Imagine trying to argue the character that says "If they're going to die they had better do it and decrease the surplus population" is not a villain with a straight face.
All of Dickens' works were overtly political. His top three works are "Why the orphanage system is bullshit and does nothing to help the people trapped within it" (Oliver obv) "My God rich people are pathetic boors and the nouveau-riche hypocrites who forgot that other people got them there in the first place" (Great Expectations, the only character who's enjoying themselves is the one person who used his wealth to help the person who put him on track to obtain it, namely the prisoner becoming Pip's benefactor) and "Fuck landlords" (this'un)
I want you to know that I immediately paused the video and spent minutes searching online to find the clip of Tiny Tim saying "God fuck us, everyone," leaving me embarrassed by my bamboozlement when I returned.
21:36 Did this article just pull a B.P Richfield from Dinosaurs?! 🤣 "B.P. Richfield: What puts you in the position to ask for more money? Earl: Well sir, I have a growing family, who I need more money to take care of. B.P. Richfield: Well, where is this my fault? Earl: I'm not blaming you, sir. B.P. Richfield: THEN WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR _YOUR_ FAMILY!?! Earl: I'm only asking for a bit more money, sir. B.P. Richfield: No! The way I see it is, you don't need more money, you need less family! Earl: But I love my family! B.P. Richfield: Well obviously you do, since you're willing to lose your job for them!
I actually checked early in making this video and, weirdly, Dinosaurs never had a Christmas Carol parody. Weird, as they seem like the exact kind of show that would.
@@infranaut Yes, BUT, they did have the Refridgerator Day episode, and B.P had a pretty big Scrooge-esque moment in that one 😅:- B.P - No bonus this year! Earl - Yes, there is. B.P - No, there isn't. Earl - Oh, yes, there is. B.P - No, there isn't!!!! Earl - Oh, yes, there is. There has to be. I need that money, sir. I'm counting on it. B.P - Exactly! And that's why you're not getting it. Earl - What?!? B.P - When you expect it, it's not a bonus. It's just pay! So, since you're expecting it, I ain't gonna give it to you! Earl - ....I'm...not expecting it now? B.P - GOOD. Then you won't be disappointed!!! Now get outta here! Oh! Hey! And don't tell any of those other deadbeats there's no bonus. I want to tell 'em. It's my own little... holiday treat. Mwahahaha!
Even before I started the video, the thumbnail had me grinning. WKRP in Cincinnati may have been short, but the episode where they drop live turkeys on a Thanksgiving crowd is golden. Find it on RUclips
Great essay. Your arguments were clear, concise, and entertaining to follow. I suppose it helps that there is no better example of moustache-twirling journalistic villainy than the goblins who wrote those think pieces. This is in my happy place for length as well. Just subscribed, and a bit later noticed the sub counter had flipped over to 20k. It was an extremely satisfying experience. a+ would sub again.
what's crazy is conservatives don't Have to defend scrooge, they can simply see themselves as good people analogous to scrooge's nephew and gloss over a christmas carol's message of helping those less fortunate and emphasize the message of using your wealth to live a good vibrant life and pretend that's good enough to be a good person. but they don't because For Some Reason these miserable creatures feel more represented by scrooge than fred.
... This is a mashup I really want to see now. Scrooge as Griffith, Cratchit as Guts. Scrooge joins the Christmas spirits when he finds the magic baubel that turns into Marley's face and screams.
i will NOT be watching the muppets christmas carol after this because i already watched it yesterday, thank you very much. did you know they found the original version of "love is gone" and the song is going to start being included in releases again? anyway this video was very chilling, i was expecting there to be some sort of delusional sugar coating or twisting of the text but that wasn't really the case. these people just fully embrace the scrooge lifestyle. how literally demonic do you have to be.
I love how they are like this person with a special skill set (the ability to read and write) is paid more than day laborers who are competing for work with indentured servants.
@@infranaut yeah he more should be matched up against specialist trades like a die cut technician or stone mason. Also he does it all with very little oversight they should be comparing him to someone like 25-30 dollar an hour wage nowadays where its even more appalling
@@infranaut clearly it’s a sign you need to make a teppu video. Really I made this comment first because that’s actually true of the character. She didn’t change much at all by the end.
About "The Scene", I think there might be more to it that the less than one page worth of information. I never read the original text, but I remember someone else going over the scene and they share more opinions between the two of them. Also, Christmas Present is saying that assholes lie about God's will to justify their assholeness, which is actually a sin. You're not supposed to claim you know God's will. Just follow his teaching. (Fun fact: This little detail was used in the trial of Joan de Arc.)
Sure - it is also a direct call-out aimed at Churches and Priests that utilise their positions to extort money out of the poor. Sabbatarianism, however, was a hot-topic issue for Dickens he often railed against
I have to commend you for making this video, because if I were in your shoes, researching and reading these REAL articles and arguments, I'd break down into tears. It is so, so awful how anyone can think this way.
Well, I didn't find it so bad. Mostly because I know the people writing these are some of the most pathetic people on Earth. It is hard to be outraged by anything they say.
Title: "A Haunting Descent: The Tragic Metamorphosis of Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'" Introduction: Charles Dickens' timeless tale, "A Christmas Carol," has long captivated readers with its redemptive narrative and exploration of the human spirit. However, through a reinterpretation that views the story as a tragedy, we unveil a darker undercurrent that portrays the downfall of an initially heroic figure, Ebenezer Scrooge. Delving into the intricate web of symbolism, character development, and the manipulation of supernatural entities, we reveal a lamentable transformation that tragically renders Scrooge a mere normie, forever separated from his once profound individuality. The Heroic Scrooge: In the early stages of the novella, Scrooge is introduced as a miserly figure, symbolic of the excesses of capitalism. Yet, he possesses a resolute determination and an unwavering commitment to financial success. Through this lens, Scrooge can be seen as a tragic hero, his single-minded pursuit of wealth mirroring the noble ambition often found in classical tragedy. His indomitable spirit, though flawed, stands as a testament to the potential for human greatness, hinting at the possibility of a transformative arc. The Ghostly Deception: However, it is the introduction of the supernatural entities, the ghosts, that marks the pivotal shift in Scrooge's trajectory. Rather than serving as messengers of redemption, these apparitions assume a malevolent role, pushing Scrooge into a tragic spiral. The Ghost of Christmas Past, by forcing Scrooge to confront painful memories, shatters his heroic resolve and exposes the vulnerability within. This vulnerability, amplified by the Ghost of Christmas Present's harsh revelation of societal inequality, acts as a catalyst for Scrooge's tragic metamorphosis. The Tragic Metamorphosis: As Scrooge progresses through the ghostly encounters, his transformation unfolds, veering away from the path of heroism. Instead of transcending his materialistic worldview and discovering the profound beauty of human connection, Scrooge succumbs to a normie existence. No longer driven by his singular pursuit of wealth, Scrooge becomes an embodiment of the average, the ordinary, and the unexceptional. This tragedy lies not in the mere acceptance of societal norms but in the loss of his individuality and the extinguishing of his unique essence. The Lamentable Normie: By the story's end, Scrooge's tragic descent is complete. The once-heroic figure who exhibited the potential for profound transformation now stands stripped of his distinctive identity. His newfound philanthropy, while superficially noble, is marred by the absence of personal conviction, reduced to a hollow gesture aimed at appeasing societal expectations. Scrooge's tragedy lies not in his initial flaws or even his temporary ignorance but in the tragic loss of his authentic self, condemned to a life of banality. Conclusion: Through a tragic reinterpretation of "A Christmas Carol," we uncover a somber narrative of lost potential and the corruption of an initially heroic figure. Scrooge's journey, manipulated by deceptive supernatural entities, tragically transforms him from a determined individual driven by ambition to a normie, forever severed from his unique essence. In this reinterpretation, the tale serves as a poignant reflection on the dangers of conformity, the fragile nature of individuality, and the tragic consequences of relinquishing one's true identity.
ChatGPT's response to "please reinterpret a christmas carol as a tragedy where an initially heroic scrooge is misled by ghosts and tragically becomes a normie. Write your response as if it is an erudite literary critique."
I did NOT watch Muppet Christmas Carol after watching your video, smartypants!!! ….I paused this, went and watched that, then came back and finished the video
That's all very well and good, but what is that blue thing on the left wall/edge of the table? Trying to identify it was driving me nuts the whole video lol. Fun essay, glad to see hbomb and Contrapoints are clearly fans too!
I think my only critique is what made the ghosts act on that particular Christmas? Tiny Tim? Mf could’ve been cured a few years earlier if those damn ghost could’ve been on top of shit way sooner. Why wait till he’s old, hell he’s already close to the age where people don’t give a damn.
For twelve years, you have been asking: Who is Ebenezer Scrooge? This is Ebenezer Scrooge speaking. The bad guy from the original Mario Brothers movie had been elected president, and this signalled a new era, one in which surely I, too, would eventually be rehabilitated. I demand an audience with one Joseph Rogan!
Several of the articles I read were actually quite old - the Mises institute one was originally written in 1998, and appended several times over the years. This is to say many of them were written before "rage clicks" were a widespread and viable marketing strategy. In general, however, I feel most of these articles are simply written by right-wing rags for right-wing audiences. Op-ed writers know that they essentially have a space to espouse all their shitty views and have a captive audience of thousands of miserable boomers. I would bet many of these people have incredibly high opinions of themselves. I think they probably think "heh, this will REALLY tick off the snowflakes" when they write their pieces, but that they nevertheless are accurate representations of their cobweb-addled brains.
Dickens plainly states in his novel that Scrooge was an honest businessman, which the Mr. Jorkin character was not. Why didn’t the spirits focus their efforts on Jorkin, who embezzled a huge amount of money from the firm, which Scrooge and Marley then saved?
Because embezzling from the firm ultimately hurts three people whereas Scrooge's selfishness was a blight on all of London. Plus, we have no idea who the spirits do and don't visit.
@@infranaut The thing is, the money that Scrooge lent out to various enterprises provided capital that helped the whole community by allowing the construction of things like factories, railways, and farms-which provided jobs and lowered the cost of goods and food. For all we know, Scrooge might have lent funds to reseachers working on a cure for the very ailment that afflicted Tiny Tim. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Scrooge to profit from the interest he charged on the loans. Why is his selfishness worse than the selfishness of those who wanted Scrooge’s money for their own use? Granted, Scrooge was not a very pleasant person, but he was still entitled to keep the money he earned. Why should Scrooge pay more than market value for Bob Cratchit’s services-when we can be pretty sure Charles Dickens didn’t pay more than market value for pen, paper, and ink?
Embezzling from the firm to the point of bankruptcy would hurt more than three people. It would hurt everyone who invested in the firm as well as everyone with whom Scrooge & Marley did business. For all we know, Scrooge may have loaned money to medical researchers searching for a cure for the same illness that afflicted Tiny Tim. If Scrooge gave all that money away to less productive people, where would those medical researchers be? The bottom line is that wealth is not a fixed resource; it’s always possible to create more of it-if one has the drive to do so.
ok, but have you actually watched that 2009 CGI version? it basically frames scrooge as JUSTIFIED and RIGHT throughout the start. and THEN, for the 3rd spirit.....there's a chase sequence with a nightmare horse, and then a somewhat disturbing "threat of hell" bit added in. i'm not aware of these being in the original book, but when you say that the spirits only point out the consequences of their own actions, well, not this version. this version involves a nightmare hose for some reason. i also notice that article complaining about the threats uses a picture from this version. they get to have it both ways: if you disagree with them, you might not notice that the 2009 movie is on their side, and so defending it in its entirety is defending their side. i decided to check this movie out after watching the director's other movie, Polar Express, and noticing some weird anti-charity moments in it. very weird film with a threatening aura
One relevant concept that only gets touched on in the very end of this video is that if these people defend and resemble Scrooge, they too have the possibility of having a revelation and change of heart, like Scrooge did. My theory, backed by no hard evidence whatsoever, is that one more big reason they defend Scrooge and insist he didn't need to change, is that they're terrified it will happen to them. They imagine what it would be like if they, like Scrooge, might turn away from the miserly pursuit of greed at the expense of all humanity, and that scares the shit out of them. Kindness and generosity, giving up on hoarding money for its own sake, it's a fate worse than death.
It is the "decorum" argument, essentially. Doing, saying, and supporting horrible things is "just politics" or "an opinion", but being confronted with the consequences of those decisions is "unfair", "bullying", "cruel", "petty", etc. There is no way to actually refute the evidence, so the tactic itself must be vilified.
Economically Scrooge was bad, but for me his hatred of Christmas makes sense when he is traumatised by 3 ghosts, left in his school and have no family, his wife/girlfriend divorces/breaks up with him on christmas and his best friend died on Christmas so his hatred is valid when he associates it with death, trauma and the ending of romantic relationships. If he shared his money with some of the poor them I think he wouldn't deserve it at that point. I'm not defending his economical actions becuase fuck buisnessmen and landlords.
"If he shared his money with some of the poor them I think he wouldn't deserve it at that point." deserve what? why? sorry i don't understand what you mean in this sentence
I did think at one point that if these people hate the idea Scrooge is being tortured with visions he's going to hell for his neglect - his problem is with Christianity, not Dickens.
Sorry to say, this video has converted me to conservativism. I was engaged and in agreement with you for 95% of its runtime but then, right at the end, you made me think about what it would feel like to boo Gonzo and Tiny Tim and, unfortunately for you, it would probably be really really really really funny.
@@infranaut amazing women’s MMA manga with a very unique story and cast(no official translation but you can find a lot places, best one is mangadex), I’d hate to spoil it but You’ve got a protagonist who is naturally talented and looking for a challenge, who is also a self described masochist A rival who is far more “protagonist” like than the actual MC, and she gets by on hard work instead of talent and being obsessed with the game I’d just say check it out, even you don’t make a video it’s great short read.
I don't know why I'm telling anybody this, but I saw a tumblr post the other day that was like "she ebbin on my neezer till I scrooge" and I can't get it out of my head, help.
(Excellent video BTW ^_^)
damn, ganna be thinking about this one a while
bonus points for singing this to the tune of "she'll be coming round the mountain when she comes"
"why are we always the bad guys" wonders bad guys. god i hate them
should try not being so bad
Well, they're not going to ever change or experience a moment of introspection, so complaining is all they have!
It's almost been a year since this video was released and it is time for a rewatch as we're nearing the holidays. It's probably my favourite Christmas-themed essay on RUclips. I'll be revisiting this for years to come, great work dude
Thanks! Much appreciated
Did NOT expect to hear Contrapoints or Hbomberguy in this.
I didn't expect that this channel would have another upload but I am delighted to see something new. It was also fun to hear some other familiar voices during the video
I have a few ideas left kicking around the old noggin
Thanks
Thanks so much!
Not even Scrooge thought Scrooge was the good guy.
Even before the whole ghost thing, he had no illusions about how he was a “job creator”.
He was just a bitter, miserly asshole who hated everybody around him, and was resigned to simply sitting alone in his dark, depressing house with all his money.
Scrooge was absolutely the kind of guy who would comfort himself with the idea that "goodness" and "morality" are abstract silly preconceptions that the ignorant masses believe, and he is an enlightened individual who is above them
@@infranaut Precisely. “Goodness” is for people who value things other than money.
wokeness has go too fare you can't even make fun of crippled orphans anymore what has society come to
can't even eat cold gruel alone in your home anymore without woke ghosts butting in and ruining everything smh
can't even starve a family into destitution these days smh
@@infranaut yeah it is a lutter joke
My friend sent me a link to this and I am very grateful. This was an excellent video, both in content and execution.
Imagine trying to argue the character that says "If they're going to die they had better do it and decrease the surplus population" is not a villain with a straight face.
Lots of modern losers subscribe to the idea the world is overpopulated, so it's sadly not hard to imagine.
The Tyee article honestly contains more heinous musings than even Dickens' was able to come up with.
Malthusianism is a hell of a drug
All of Dickens' works were overtly political. His top three works are "Why the orphanage system is bullshit and does nothing to help the people trapped within it" (Oliver obv) "My God rich people are pathetic boors and the nouveau-riche hypocrites who forgot that other people got them there in the first place" (Great Expectations, the only character who's enjoying themselves is the one person who used his wealth to help the person who put him on track to obtain it, namely the prisoner becoming Pip's benefactor) and "Fuck landlords" (this'un)
This is why I find the third "stop making x political" arguments so embarrassing.
This man did nothing for a year and then pops this off in under a week? Impressive. Maybe we get a reboot/sequel next year?
I was stewing, and this video was the result of an especially slow cook.
@@infranaut Take all the time you need, we enjoy the effort and the end result!
Everyone arguing Scrooge from Christmas Carol was the good guy, nobody arguing Ralphie from Christmas Story was the bad guy
Amazing point
I want you to know that I immediately paused the video and spent minutes searching online to find the clip of Tiny Tim saying "God fuck us, everyone," leaving me embarrassed by my bamboozlement when I returned.
Merry Christmas!!
Of all the fictional characters, i never thought people would actually frame Scrooge as a good guy. Absolutely wild.
21:36 Did this article just pull a B.P Richfield from Dinosaurs?! 🤣
"B.P. Richfield:
What puts you in the position to ask for more money?
Earl:
Well sir, I have a growing family, who I need more money to take care of.
B.P. Richfield:
Well, where is this my fault?
Earl:
I'm not blaming you, sir.
B.P. Richfield:
THEN WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR _YOUR_ FAMILY!?!
Earl:
I'm only asking for a bit more money, sir.
B.P. Richfield:
No! The way I see it is, you don't need more money, you need less family!
Earl:
But I love my family!
B.P. Richfield:
Well obviously you do, since you're willing to lose your job for them!
Damn
I actually checked early in making this video and, weirdly, Dinosaurs never had a Christmas Carol parody. Weird, as they seem like the exact kind of show that would.
@@infranaut Yes, BUT, they did have the Refridgerator Day episode, and B.P had a pretty big Scrooge-esque moment in that one 😅:-
B.P - No bonus this year!
Earl - Yes, there is.
B.P - No, there isn't.
Earl - Oh, yes, there is.
B.P - No, there isn't!!!!
Earl - Oh, yes, there is. There has to be. I need that money, sir. I'm counting on it.
B.P - Exactly! And that's why you're not getting it.
Earl - What?!?
B.P - When you expect it, it's not a bonus. It's just pay! So, since you're expecting it, I ain't gonna give it to you!
Earl - ....I'm...not expecting it now?
B.P - GOOD. Then you won't be disappointed!!! Now get outta here! Oh! Hey! And don't tell any of those
other deadbeats there's no bonus.
I want to tell 'em. It's my own little... holiday treat. Mwahahaha!
@@AstraVex damn we got a Dinosaurs scholar over here
@@infranaut lol, I watched it a lot as a kid, even tho the puppets used to scare me! 😅
Even before I started the video, the thumbnail had me grinning.
WKRP in Cincinnati may have been short, but the episode where they drop live turkeys on a Thanksgiving crowd is golden. Find it on RUclips
I should have known there was no show I could have picked to illustrate that point that wouldn’t have its staunch defenders
Seen at least two think tanks of sorts doing the same defense of Mr. Potter so sure...
I think Forbes published one today LOL
@@Twisttheawesome A knew one came out basically when the video was rendering
"Who benefited from the wealth of Scrooge, first Britain and then all mankind" oh god the cope
Every time I read a quote like that, I always imagined the writer softy saying under their breath: "... I assume"
Great essay. Your arguments were clear, concise, and entertaining to follow. I suppose it helps that there is no better example of moustache-twirling journalistic villainy than the goblins who wrote those think pieces. This is in my happy place for length as well. Just subscribed, and a bit later noticed the sub counter had flipped over to 20k. It was an extremely satisfying experience. a+ would sub again.
Thank you if you were the 20k-th!
I think people are forgetting that Bob Crachet has to provide for his entire family and care for his disabaled child
The people who defend Scrooge are glad his kids are suffering though
what's crazy is conservatives don't Have to defend scrooge, they can simply see themselves as good people analogous to scrooge's nephew and gloss over a christmas carol's message of helping those less fortunate and emphasize the message of using your wealth to live a good vibrant life and pretend that's good enough to be a good person. but they don't because For Some Reason these miserable creatures feel more represented by scrooge than fred.
The human mind has the amazing ability to look into a mirror and think "well, I'm not like THAT"
Man is just barely sneaking a video in at the very end of the year! Love to see it
You got me with the claim about the 2019 Christmas Carol.
Me too I was like "Whoa what the shit?" I am now reading the actual Wikipedia summary page and uh ... it does indeed sound very needlessly edgy.
@@TimeTravelerJessica i heard it was very edgy so I almost bought it for a sec.
Same
The believability of the lie says so much about that production
Such a great fucking video, beginning to end
Cheers!
"a dusty old Christmas crone" was a great turn of phrase, nice video dude!
Thanks, feel free to call your loved ones or despised ones that this Christmas!
Thanks for this. Made my day after Christmas morning.
Glad to do what I could!
Love the video just a little more than the fact that he used the best movie version for most of the clips (can’t beat the muppets)
I was happy to see some Scrooge (1970) representation
I know, so great to see some Mr. Magoo's Christmas representation.
"Scrooge did nothing wrong" was an earlier version of "Griffith did nothing wrong"
... This is a mashup I really want to see now. Scrooge as Griffith, Cratchit as Guts. Scrooge joins the Christmas spirits when he finds the magic baubel that turns into Marley's face and screams.
i will NOT be watching the muppets christmas carol after this because i already watched it yesterday, thank you very much. did you know they found the original version of "love is gone" and the song is going to start being included in releases again?
anyway this video was very chilling, i was expecting there to be some sort of delusional sugar coating or twisting of the text but that wasn't really the case. these people just fully embrace the scrooge lifestyle. how literally demonic do you have to be.
already been to a live showing of the full restored cut because i am an extremely, extremely cool guy
Ooh you’re like a little Stewart Lee. Very good watching for a Christmas afternoon, cheers.
I'm 6"2
@@infranaut ooh you’re like a considerably taller, but also much younger which is what I meant by little, Stewart Lee.
@@clemfandango1218 Infranaut has yet to let himself go.
I love how they are like this person with a special skill set (the ability to read and write) is paid more than day laborers who are competing for work with indentured servants.
Not just read and write - he is also an accountant
@@infranaut yeah he more should be matched up against specialist trades like a die cut technician or stone mason. Also he does it all with very little oversight they should be comparing him to someone like 25-30 dollar an hour wage nowadays where its even more appalling
As a teppu fan, I love my MC to be insanely awful and never change their behavior even after their character arc
I keep getting comments about this
@@infranaut clearly it’s a sign you need to make a teppu video.
Really I made this comment first because that’s actually true of the character. She didn’t change much at all by the end.
my fave video of yours yet and thanks again for letting me crash at yours lol
Merry Christmas!
About "The Scene", I think there might be more to it that the less than one page worth of information. I never read the original text, but I remember someone else going over the scene and they share more opinions between the two of them.
Also, Christmas Present is saying that assholes lie about God's will to justify their assholeness, which is actually a sin. You're not supposed to claim you know God's will. Just follow his teaching. (Fun fact: This little detail was used in the trial of Joan de Arc.)
Sure - it is also a direct call-out aimed at Churches and Priests that utilise their positions to extort money out of the poor. Sabbatarianism, however, was a hot-topic issue for Dickens he often railed against
Lack of infranaut temporarily abolished
Reinstated soon though!
I have to commend you for making this video, because if I were in your shoes, researching and reading these REAL articles and arguments, I'd break down into tears. It is so, so awful how anyone can think this way.
Well, I didn't find it so bad. Mostly because I know the people writing these are some of the most pathetic people on Earth. It is hard to be outraged by anything they say.
This is fantastic - thank you!
Terrific!
I read the book for the first time this year and really enjoyed it - almost as much as I enjoyed this video.
While I appreciate the compliment, I don't think this little video measures up to Old Charlie
Make Corialanus too political? Perish the thought!
Really great video!
...should have been Gremlins 2.
... Yeah, I know.
Title: "A Haunting Descent: The Tragic Metamorphosis of Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'"
Introduction:
Charles Dickens' timeless tale, "A Christmas Carol," has long captivated readers with its redemptive narrative and exploration of the human spirit. However, through a reinterpretation that views the story as a tragedy, we unveil a darker undercurrent that portrays the downfall of an initially heroic figure, Ebenezer Scrooge. Delving into the intricate web of symbolism, character development, and the manipulation of supernatural entities, we reveal a lamentable transformation that tragically renders Scrooge a mere normie, forever separated from his once profound individuality.
The Heroic Scrooge:
In the early stages of the novella, Scrooge is introduced as a miserly figure, symbolic of the excesses of capitalism. Yet, he possesses a resolute determination and an unwavering commitment to financial success. Through this lens, Scrooge can be seen as a tragic hero, his single-minded pursuit of wealth mirroring the noble ambition often found in classical tragedy. His indomitable spirit, though flawed, stands as a testament to the potential for human greatness, hinting at the possibility of a transformative arc.
The Ghostly Deception:
However, it is the introduction of the supernatural entities, the ghosts, that marks the pivotal shift in Scrooge's trajectory. Rather than serving as messengers of redemption, these apparitions assume a malevolent role, pushing Scrooge into a tragic spiral. The Ghost of Christmas Past, by forcing Scrooge to confront painful memories, shatters his heroic resolve and exposes the vulnerability within. This vulnerability, amplified by the Ghost of Christmas Present's harsh revelation of societal inequality, acts as a catalyst for Scrooge's tragic metamorphosis.
The Tragic Metamorphosis:
As Scrooge progresses through the ghostly encounters, his transformation unfolds, veering away from the path of heroism. Instead of transcending his materialistic worldview and discovering the profound beauty of human connection, Scrooge succumbs to a normie existence. No longer driven by his singular pursuit of wealth, Scrooge becomes an embodiment of the average, the ordinary, and the unexceptional. This tragedy lies not in the mere acceptance of societal norms but in the loss of his individuality and the extinguishing of his unique essence.
The Lamentable Normie:
By the story's end, Scrooge's tragic descent is complete. The once-heroic figure who exhibited the potential for profound transformation now stands stripped of his distinctive identity. His newfound philanthropy, while superficially noble, is marred by the absence of personal conviction, reduced to a hollow gesture aimed at appeasing societal expectations. Scrooge's tragedy lies not in his initial flaws or even his temporary ignorance but in the tragic loss of his authentic self, condemned to a life of banality.
Conclusion:
Through a tragic reinterpretation of "A Christmas Carol," we uncover a somber narrative of lost potential and the corruption of an initially heroic figure. Scrooge's journey, manipulated by deceptive supernatural entities, tragically transforms him from a determined individual driven by ambition to a normie, forever severed from his unique essence. In this reinterpretation, the tale serves as a poignant reflection on the dangers of conformity, the fragile nature of individuality, and the tragic consequences of relinquishing one's true identity.
ChatGPT's response to "please reinterpret a christmas carol as a tragedy where an initially heroic scrooge is misled by ghosts and tragically becomes a normie. Write your response as if it is an erudite literary critique."
Great video!
Commenting for engagement. Love your work. Had to duck out early because listening to these chuds in any amount is bad for my blood pressure.
Appreciate you feeding the beast
engagement
I did NOT watch Muppet Christmas Carol after watching your video, smartypants!!!
….I paused this, went and watched that, then came back and finished the video
Glad I could do some good in this world!
It's... astounding, really. Just, can't handle that they're the bad guys
These guys would "um, actually" the pharoah being bad in the story of Moses
That's all very well and good, but what is that blue thing on the left wall/edge of the table? Trying to identify it was driving me nuts the whole video lol.
Fun essay, glad to see hbomb and Contrapoints are clearly fans too!
I think a pair of headphones?
I think my only critique is what made the ghosts act on that particular Christmas? Tiny Tim?
Mf could’ve been cured a few years earlier if those damn ghost could’ve been on top of shit way sooner. Why wait till he’s old, hell he’s already close to the age where people don’t give a damn.
Oh this slaps
Amazing vid!
For twelve years, you have been asking: Who is Ebenezer Scrooge? This is Ebenezer Scrooge speaking. The bad guy from the original Mario Brothers movie had been elected president, and this signalled a new era, one in which surely I, too, would eventually be rehabilitated. I demand an audience with one Joseph Rogan!
I think A Christmas Carol could fit into the John Galt speech several times over
honestly, the 2009 version seems to be randian propaganda
Do you think they write these knowing how the internet will react to them? Or do you think they’re clueless?
Several of the articles I read were actually quite old - the Mises institute one was originally written in 1998, and appended several times over the years. This is to say many of them were written before "rage clicks" were a widespread and viable marketing strategy.
In general, however, I feel most of these articles are simply written by right-wing rags for right-wing audiences. Op-ed writers know that they essentially have a space to espouse all their shitty views and have a captive audience of thousands of miserable boomers.
I would bet many of these people have incredibly high opinions of themselves. I think they probably think "heh, this will REALLY tick off the snowflakes" when they write their pieces, but that they nevertheless are accurate representations of their cobweb-addled brains.
Love this video but I cannot stand for the Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol slander
brainwashed mass spotted
8:00 really confusing typo (“faitful” not “faithful”). Good video though, at least so far.
'Leftist ghosts'? 'Spectres of communism' was right there
Dickens plainly states in his novel that Scrooge was an honest businessman, which the Mr. Jorkin character was not. Why didn’t the spirits focus their efforts on Jorkin, who embezzled a huge amount of money from the firm, which Scrooge and Marley then saved?
Because embezzling from the firm ultimately hurts three people whereas Scrooge's selfishness was a blight on all of London.
Plus, we have no idea who the spirits do and don't visit.
@@infranaut The thing is, the money that Scrooge lent out to various enterprises provided capital that helped the whole community by allowing the construction of things like factories, railways, and farms-which provided jobs and lowered the cost of goods and food. For all we know, Scrooge might have lent funds to reseachers working on a cure for the very ailment that afflicted Tiny Tim. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Scrooge to profit from the interest he charged on the loans. Why is his selfishness worse than the selfishness of those who wanted Scrooge’s money for their own use? Granted, Scrooge was not a very pleasant person, but he was still entitled to keep the money he earned. Why should Scrooge pay more than market value for Bob Cratchit’s services-when we can be pretty sure Charles Dickens didn’t pay more than market value for pen, paper, and ink?
Embezzling from the firm to the point of bankruptcy would hurt more than three people. It would hurt everyone who invested in the firm as well as everyone with whom Scrooge & Marley did business. For all we know, Scrooge may have loaned money to medical researchers searching for a cure for the same illness that afflicted Tiny Tim. If Scrooge gave all that money away to less productive people, where would those medical researchers be? The bottom line is that wealth is not a fixed resource; it’s always possible to create more of it-if one has the drive to do so.
ok, but have you actually watched that 2009 CGI version? it basically frames scrooge as JUSTIFIED and RIGHT throughout the start. and THEN, for the 3rd spirit.....there's a chase sequence with a nightmare horse, and then a somewhat disturbing "threat of hell" bit added in.
i'm not aware of these being in the original book, but when you say that the spirits only point out the consequences of their own actions, well, not this version. this version involves a nightmare hose for some reason. i also notice that article complaining about the threats uses a picture from this version. they get to have it both ways: if you disagree with them, you might not notice that the 2009 movie is on their side, and so defending it in its entirety is defending their side.
i decided to check this movie out after watching the director's other movie, Polar Express, and noticing some weird anti-charity moments in it. very weird film with a threatening aura
One relevant concept that only gets touched on in the very end of this video is that if these people defend and resemble Scrooge, they too have the possibility of having a revelation and change of heart, like Scrooge did.
My theory, backed by no hard evidence whatsoever, is that one more big reason they defend Scrooge and insist he didn't need to change, is that they're terrified it will happen to them. They imagine what it would be like if they, like Scrooge, might turn away from the miserly pursuit of greed at the expense of all humanity, and that scares the shit out of them. Kindness and generosity, giving up on hoarding money for its own sake, it's a fate worse than death.
It is the "decorum" argument, essentially. Doing, saying, and supporting horrible things is "just politics" or "an opinion", but being confronted with the consequences of those decisions is "unfair", "bullying", "cruel", "petty", etc. There is no way to actually refute the evidence, so the tactic itself must be vilified.
these people will absolutely never change - their entire job is like a hugbox
Economically Scrooge was bad, but for me his hatred of Christmas makes sense when he is traumatised by 3 ghosts, left in his school and have no family, his wife/girlfriend divorces/breaks up with him on christmas and his best friend died on Christmas so his hatred is valid when he associates it with death, trauma and the ending of romantic relationships. If he shared his money with some of the poor them I think he wouldn't deserve it at that point. I'm not defending his economical actions becuase fuck buisnessmen and landlords.
"If he shared his money with some of the poor them I think he wouldn't deserve it at that point." deserve what? why? sorry i don't understand what you mean in this sentence
Capitalists sure do seem to hate Jesus
I did think at one point that if these people hate the idea Scrooge is being tortured with visions he's going to hell for his neglect - his problem is with Christianity, not Dickens.
No one ever brings up the whole "camel through the eye of a needle" thing
WKRP was a great show and had four seasons, not one!
Stop hogging the laptop, grandpa!!!!!
what the hell was this show?
God bless us, every one! The “Scrooge was right” takes are one of the most annoying parts of the Christmas season. Thanks.
Well hopefully we can all spam my video in their comments section. As a rebutal - not for engagement, or anything.
fun vid
Look a bit young for a goon, but here's some engagemometrics boost from the IOSM thread. Merry Greebmas
It's just the lack of sunlight, I promise you
@@infranaut From rainy island dweller to another: Cheers.
I'm afraid you are wrong about one thing, and that is that Scrooged is obviously the best adaptation.
Great video otherwise.
Thank you very much, thank you very much, that’s the nicest thing anyones ever said, to, me
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Sorry to say, this video has converted me to conservativism. I was engaged and in agreement with you for 95% of its runtime but then, right at the end, you made me think about what it would feel like to boo Gonzo and Tiny Tim and, unfortunately for you, it would probably be really really really really funny.
you're a beast
You are passionate about this, but you do not persuade.
I may as well ask, can you do a video on teppu? It’s got a lot potential for video essays.
this is the second comment I've gotten about this and I have no idea what it is
@@infranaut amazing women’s MMA manga with a very unique story and cast(no official translation but you can find a lot places, best one is mangadex), I’d hate to spoil it but
You’ve got a protagonist who is naturally talented and looking for a challenge, who is also a self described masochist
A rival who is far more “protagonist” like than the actual MC, and she gets by on hard work instead of talent and being obsessed with the game
I’d just say check it out, even you don’t make a video it’s great short read.
It is amazing the cartoonish evilness of this writers and it is also amazing how well they depict the conservative mindset 🤣🫶
Dickens was a talented dude