Exploring Scrooge's Stubbornness in Staves 2 and 3 of 'A Christmas Carol'

Explanation:

In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, we see evidence of Ebenezer Scrooge's stubbornness through his initial reactions to the spirits in staves 2 and 3. When the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his younger self, Scrooge is reluctant to accept the pain of his past mistakes, saying 'Remove me from this place.' This quote encapsulates Scrooge's insistence on avoiding his past, showing a stubborn reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths about himself.

Additionally, in stave 3, when the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals to Scrooge the merriment of others' Christmas celebrations, Scrooge's stubbornness is evident when he dismisses their joy. The quote, 'If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population,' which he previously stated in stave 1, is recalled by the Ghost to confront Scrooge on his harsh worldviews. Though he begins to waver, initially his stubborn mindset resists the spirit's message.