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Hands in 'A Christmas Carol'... 
A thread
A thread
When we are first introduced to Scrooge, we are told that he was a 'tightfisted hand at the grindstone' followed by a lovely list of seemingly greed-induced verbs: he squeezes; wrenches; scrapes; covets. His hands are used to keep all that he has to and with himself. 1/
This observation is soon supported by Scrooge's actions - his hoarding of the coal supply; his refusal to donate money to the portly gentlemen's fund; & his reluctance to give Bob Christmas day off of work. 2/
This closed-handedness is quickly contrasted by the hands of his Clerk, who quite involuntarily applauds Fred's speech in praise of Christmas! 
And the portly gentlemen, who hold in their hands books & papers (presumably relating to the charity). 3/
And the portly gentlemen, who hold in their hands books & papers (presumably relating to the charity). 3/
And, of course, the labourers in the passage that follows, who, laying gas-pipes in the street, stop to warm their hands around a fire as they work. 
4/
4/
When Scrooge, in the next stave, is acquainted with the Ghost of Christmas Past, he relays his hesitation to accompany the spirit given that he is 'mortal & liable to fall'. The Spirit, in response to this remonstration, uses His hands for healing: 5/
"Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this".
What a beautiful moment this is! 6/
What a beautiful moment this is! 6/
Scrooge's fears seem to be in relation to his physical transportation to the Past, and yet the Spirit (in response) does so much more. He places a hand on Scrooge's heart&, arguably, begins to thaw the immense coldness that Scrooge has not only 'carried', but become part of. 7/
In the passages that follow, we see Scrooge weeping, several times, in reminiscence of his childhood, & then, in pity for his former Self.
The Spirit's hand has begun to unblock years of unhealed trauma & spiritual stagnation. 8/
The Spirit's hand has begun to unblock years of unhealed trauma & spiritual stagnation. 8/
In the same stave, we observe two characters whom Scrooge remembers with fondness, using their hands to embody love & joy. Firstly, Fan, 'throwing her arms around her brother's neck & kissing him' & then 'clapping her tiny hands' in celebration of his return 'Home'. 9/
Then, of course, 'old Fezziwig', who 'rub(s) his hands' together jovially, & instructs Ebenezer & Dick to make the warehouse party-worthy 'with a sharp clap of his hands'. His hands exemplify his joy for Christmas & for those around him. 10/
The work is not fully complete however,as Scrooge,despite his thawing, uses his hands at the stave's end to 'sieze' the extinguisher cap & 'by sudden action press it down upon its head'.But this cannot put out the light which 'streamed' in an 'unbroken flood upon the ground'. 11/
Cue Stave 3, & a jolly, giant, Spirit with one hand 'open' & the other bearing a torch used to sprinkle blessings of the festive season onto (namely) the Poor. 12/
The hand of the Past has helped him to heal his emotional trauma; the hand of the Present will show him the beauty & abundance of the NOW, & how to truly embrace the present moment. 13/
The Cratchit family all use their hands to support the Christmas preparations, with Mrs C making the gravy; Peter mashing the potatoes; Belinda sweetening the sauce; & Martha dusting the hot-plates. Bob is busy supporting Tiny Tim, & even the youngest children set the chairs. 14/
Their busy little hands provide a stark contrast to the 'idle' stereotype afforded to them by men like Scrooge, & even in the stave that follows, Mrs C is working with her hands at the table with tears in her eyes as little Tim lay dead upstairs in bed. 15/
Even the men at sea, in the obscure scenes that follow, amidst the thundering roar of the wild ocean, 'join their horny hands together' in honour of it being Christmas. 16/
By the time we get to Stave 4, the hand image in respect of the Spirits looks rather different. Although, one could argue that its purpose remains the same - to heal.
Nothing is visible of the ghost upon its arrival 'save one outstretched hand' which it uses only to point. 17/
Nothing is visible of the ghost upon its arrival 'save one outstretched hand' which it uses only to point. 17/
Perhaps the Spirit points Scrooge to his own wisdom, ensuring that he sees what he needs to see in order to fully own his ultimate redemption & change. 18/
According to Aristotle, the hand is the 'tool of tools'.
Biblically, Jesus sits 'at the right hand of the father'.
Hands are significant; precious; divine.
And in Stave 1, Scrooge's hands are out of action; useless, redundant!
They are squeezed shut & covetous. 19/
Biblically, Jesus sits 'at the right hand of the father'.
Hands are significant; precious; divine.
And in Stave 1, Scrooge's hands are out of action; useless, redundant!
They are squeezed shut & covetous. 19/
There is a moment in Stave 4, where Scrooge looks down at his dead body that is 'unwatched, unwept, uncared for'. The narrative becomes almost prayer-like, or ritualistic:
'Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here...' 20/
'Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here...' 20/
In the same passage we are told that 'of the loved, revered, & honoured head, though canst not turn one hair to thy dread purposes'. We are told that 'it is not that the hand is heavy' but that 'the hand was open, generous, and true'. 21/
In Stave 5:
'His hands were busy with his garments all this time;turning them inside out,putting them on upside down,tearing them,mislaying them,making them parties to every kind of extravagance.
"I don't know what to do!"cried Scrooge, laughing&crying in the same breath". 22/
'His hands were busy with his garments all this time;turning them inside out,putting them on upside down,tearing them,mislaying them,making them parties to every kind of extravagance.
"I don't know what to do!"cried Scrooge, laughing&crying in the same breath". 22/
And of course, in true homage to Marley's instigation; to the memory of old Fezziwig; & to the Spirits that made it all possible, Scrooge makes right with the portly gentlemen, visits Fred (where 'it's a mercy (Fred) didn't shake his arm off'), 23/
and 'promises to discuss (Bob's) affairs... over a bowl of Smoking Bishop'.
'Scrooge was better than this word. He did it all, & infinitely more;&to Tiny Tim,he was a second father.He became as a good a friend,as good a master,&as good a man as the good old city knew'. 24/24
'Scrooge was better than this word. He did it all, & infinitely more;&to Tiny Tim,he was a second father.He became as a good a friend,as good a master,&as good a man as the good old city knew'. 24/24
