Final answer:
Dickens contrasts Scrooge with Fezziwig to emphasize kinder business practices and the flashback of Scrooge's broken engagement reveals his character development. These elements showcase themes of transformation and redemption in 'A Christmas Carol'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dickens' Juxtaposition of Scrooge and Fezziwig
Charles Dickens juxtaposes Scrooge and Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol to highlight contrasting approaches to business and employee treatment. While Scrooge is known for his miserliness and harsh attitude towards his clerk, Fezziwig represents generosity and joy in his interactions with employees. This comparison serves to emphasize the potential for a more humane and positive work environment, influencing Scrooge's transformation process by reminding him of the joy that can come from kindness and communal celebration.
Role of Scrooge's Flashback in Developing the Plot
The flashback of Scrooge's fiancée breaking off their engagement deepens the plot by revealing how Scrooge's growing obsession with wealth led to his isolation. It shows a pivotal moment in Scrooge's life that significantly influenced his personality, providing insight into his character's emotional turmoil and serving as a catalyst for his eventual change. The memory evoked during the visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past serves as a bitter reminder of the consequences of his life choices and underscores the theme of redemption that is central to the story.