A Christmas Carol: Social justice & Chains

[Giggly_Giraffe]

Two questions about the classic, “A Christmas Carol” by C Dickens.

1. Why did the story/culture place the social justice needs upon employers rather thanthe government? IMO it appears that the cry’s of the people were heard, and many employers provide the social justice needs (Heath, dental, education, ect). Now that the social Justice needs have been shifted to employers, the people are crying to have the government re-take these social justice services.
2. Where did the concept of the chains Jacob Marly wore derive from?

 

[Bobby_Jim]

Two questions about the classic, “A Christmas Carol” by C Dickens.

1. Why did the story/culture place the social justice needs upon employers rather thanthe government? IMO it appears that the cry’s of the people were heard, and many employers provide the social justice needs (Heath, dental, education, ect). Now that the social Justice needs have been shifted to employers, the people are crying to have the government re-take these social justice services.
2. Where did the concept of the chains Jacob Marly wore derive from?

1. are there no work houses? no prisons? I think this was the face of government-sponsored “social justice”, and as the spirit of Christmas present said, many would rather die than go there.
2. I think it came from the Beatles’ song “Boy, you’re going to carry that weight, carry that weight a long time”.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

1. are there no work houses? no prisons? I think this was the face of government-sponsored “social justice”, and as the spirit of Christmas present said, many would rather die than go there.

That seems to be the strong gist of Dickens’ messaging. However, it really makes one wonder if government has ever been a strong administrator of social justice.

 

[Giggly_Giraffe]

1. are there no work houses? no prisons? I think this was the face of government-sponsored “social justice”, and as the spirit of Christmas present said, many would rather die than go there.
2. I think it came from the Beatles’ song “Boy, you’re going to carry that weight, carry that weight a long time”.

Funny, jails are becoming privatized and Heathcare is becoming govt. Bizzaro

Dickens came long before the Beatles … I still don’t get the origination of carding chains around.

 

[Sarcelle]

Two questions about the classic, “A Christmas Carol” by C Dickens.

1. Why did the story/culture place the social justice needs upon employers rather thanthe government? IMO it appears that the cry’s of the people were heard, and many employers provide the social justice needs (Heath, dental, education, ect). Now that the social Justice needs have been shifted to employers, the people are crying to have the government re-take these social justice services.
2. Where did the concept of the chains Jacob Marly wore derive from?

The chains symbolize his attachment to worldy wealth. For some reason he could not let go of the things he treasure most while still alive such as money and prestige.

This is the reason for purgatory, to rid oneself of attachment to worldly life and prepare for the next heavenly one.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I’ve always found the image of Marley’s chains extremely powerful: “I wear the chains I forged in life - link by link and yard by yard. Of my own free will I formed it: money boxes, keys, rotting steel…” Truth is, we all have such chains, and hearing the story every Christmas season is a powerful reminder to examine our attachments and identify the things that hold us back, burden us, keep us from doing God’s will, especially with regard to service to our brothers and sisters.