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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

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Littlewolf1 I feel like this was the greatest turning point in the story. When we first hear the original story, Ebeneezer goes through with the three spirits and his desire is to change is evident and he has given that chance. However, in this retelling, we learned that he doesn‘t have much time left and then his remorse is not necessarily for others. It is the sacrifice that Marley that finally gives Ebenezer that Second chance at life and his soul. 5y

megnews To each his own regarding religion, but for me, in this, I see a Christ figure willing to sacrifice on someone else‘s behalf so that their life can be better. 5y

sblbooks @Littlewolf1 I agree. You bring up a good point that the remorse that Scrooge showed may not have been for others. 5y

sblbooks @megnews Me too! The first thing I thought was this reminds of the crucifixion and the verse John 3:16 5y

Readswithcoffee Agreed! 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers

Littlewolf1 I could be wrong, because I‘ve been on before, but my personal thought on this is that don‘t be ignorant about all you have and stop wanting for what you don‘t need. 5y

megnews While stacking away treasure, he invested in ignorance of the true meaning of life and want for anything that could truly fulfill. 5y

sblbooks We all should strive to influence those around us for good. To be a good citizen, we must care for others. Marley and Scrooge ignored this responsibility for most of their lives. It's a warning to us, not to do the same. 5y

EH2018 In his interactions with others he preyed on the ignorance of others and their desire for things, and used this to build his life. Instead of focusing on the good and trying to help and influence others positively. 5y

sblbooks @EH2018 exactly! 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers

Littlewolf1 Don‘t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. You don‘t have to be prideful about the care and compassion you show for the world. It‘s not about you, it‘s about others. 5y

megnews I absolutely love it and think this is what life is all about. Sometimes it is not about the grand gesture but the small things we can do to make someone else‘s life better, perhaps they never even know it. 5y

sblbooks I loved this quote! A great reminder that it's not about getting the credit. Like @Littlewolf1 said, It about others! Yes! @megnews I agree, it's the little things mean the most some times. 5y

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EH2018 I really liked this quote also! Its about human purpose, and how we all have one. Everything we do, even if not in our interactions with people, but any act we engage in can have an affect on others, it all matters. 5y

Readswithcoffee And not only do we have those opportunities in life, but unknown to us, others are removing obstacles in our path. It would be a kinder world if we all looked for ways to make others‘ lives easier or at least more pleasant. 5y

sblbooks @Readswithcoffee Yes, we should try to do this on a regular basis. 5y

megnews @Readswithcoffee so true! 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

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Littlewolf1 Because in the end, Marley forgave and asked for forgiveness. In the end, Marley‘s concern was not for himself the another. 5y

megnews He may not have been able to redeem himself but he was given the opportunity to redeem another and in some way that redeemed him because it showed he cared about his fellow humanity and still hoped to be able to make a difference. 5y

EH2018 Agreed, he saw the error of his ways, and tried to help scrooge when he realized that he was wrong. 5y

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shellleigh33 I believe that Marley realized his mistakes at the end when it was to late for him but he did not want the same ending for the one acquaintance (Scrooge) he had if he could help it. I felt really sorry for how he had made this man and wanted to make a difference in his life 5y

Readswithcoffee I think Marley‘s ability to finally show compassion to another person is a type of redemption for him. 5y

megnews @readswithcoffee I agree 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers

Littlewolf1 Ebeneezer wanted to be the best of his business as well. And when he was judge based off what Marley considered being a failure, he could never let that be seen again. It also put the nail in the coffin when it came to his idea of marriage to Bell. 5y

megnews His influence regarding marriage cost Scrooge his love and whatever softness she could have brought to him. Without relationship, Scrooge became isolated and bitter, a shell of the person he could have been. 5y

sblbooks @Littlewolf1 and @megnews Absolutely, Marley influence Scrooge to put work ahead of family. I wander what would have happened if Ebenezer knew that it was Jacob who threw his sister out on the street and ultimately caused her death? 5y

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EH2018 As @sblbooks mentioned, perhaps he was affected by the loss of his sister, influenced by Marley. That could have hardened him a bit. Then being bullied into being more of a bully didnt help. Ebenezer was left to fend for himself as a young child/man and seemed to look up to marley as a successful businessman. Marley played on Ebenezer's practical mind to convince his to follow his lead and choose work over family 5y

EH2018 I think marley, also flawed, saw himself in Ebenezer and lead him down the same path, never taking the time to consider how shallow a life he led until he was on his own deathbed and only then considered where life had taken him 5y

sblbooks @EH2018 I agree that losing his sister had a profound effect on Ebenezer, and it did harden him. 5y

shellleigh33 I have to agree with @sblbooks I also wondered if Scrooge ever knew that Jacob had threw his sister in the cold? I know they was both business men but I feel like he loves his sister very much. 5y

Readswithcoffee He reinforced those goals Ebenezer had already set for himself. 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers

Littlewolf1 To be more humble and not so prideful. If he accepted that he was good at something, and that could be used for good, it could have changed his entire outlook. However, instead he use it as a way to show that he had to be the best at everything, including being cruel and unforgiving. 5y

megnews ⬆️⬆️⬆️ 5y

sblbooks @Littlewolf1 excellent point. It's all about the choices we make in life. 5y

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EH2018 Someone could have stepped in and helped him find a better use for his gifts, as he ended up learning he should have done for Ebenezer 5y

sblbooks @EH2018 Yes, his family tried, it's just a shame that Jacob pushed them away. 5y

Readswithcoffee In retrospect, had his family known how he would turn out, perhaps they could have done more to guide him. However, strong-willed people can be difficult to guide. 5y

sblbooks @Readswithcoffee so true! 5y

megnews @Readswithcoffee true! 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers

Roary47 He was named after his grandfather who saved several children from a fire. It stated: “He gave his all” on his gravestone when he himself passed away in the fire trying to save the last child. The significance of his name change was part short handing his signature for the booking he would do and also his realization whether conscious or not that he was not giving his all to others. 5y

Littlewolf1 His grandfather was a good man and his parents named him, or his dad named him, because of the goodness that he could bring to the world. However, he removed it from is in completely to show that he was never going to be that man. In the end, he accepted who he was, and who he could have been, by accepting his name again. 5y

megnews His family wanted him to honor his grandfather and I think he did too when he was young so you see Thelonius used. Each change took him a step away from wanting to be associated with the sacrifice his grandfather made. He knew he wasn‘t that person and had no desire to be. 5y

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CoffeeNBooks Thelonius represents the greatness of his grandfather, and each name change symbolizes how Jacob lost sight of that and how far removed he'd become from the greatness of his grandfather. 5y

sblbooks @Roary47 @Littlewolf1 @megnews @CoffeeNBooks I agree with all you said. 5y

EH2018 Agreed 5y

shellleigh33 Everyone said it all so well. I totally agree with the above statements. 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers

Littlewolf1 That a single act of kindness can make all the difference, and self-sacrifice can change everything. To pay more attention to not what you have but what you give to others. 5y

megnews That 💰 doesn‘t buy happiness, blessing, joy. That we are here to love others and make a difference not amass wealth that‘s gone when you die. 5y

sblbooks To beware of pride, the importance of forgiveness, and that we have a moral obligation to care for those less fortunate than ourselves. 5y

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sblbooks @Littlewolf1 Yes,I loved the part when Jacob took Ebenezer's chains on himself. Greater love hath no man... 5y

sblbooks @megnews True. Marley and Scrooge had everything money could buy yet they were the most unhappy. In contrast, the Cratchits were poor and had nothing by the world's standards, but they we're happy and they had each other. 5y

EH2018 That every life matters, and we all have a purpose. Our lives impact others, and being kind is so important over being right or being in control or having money. 5y

shellleigh33 That all the money in the world can not buy you happiness and love. Sometimes it is better to give and help others to experience true joy, love, and happiness in life. 5y

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Jacob T. Marley | R. William Bennett

This post contains spoilers