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Critical Analysis of "The Conversion of Scrooge: A Defense of That Good Man's Motivation" The story of A Christmas Carol is one of redemption and change. Yet, the term Scrooge still carries a negative connotation. William E. Morris notes that the public has been reluctant to recognize the change Scrooge experiences. However, Scrooges' change is the foundation for the entire story. Morris submits that the change could have come from within Scrooge, and that the visits were actually dreams, brought about by his desire to change deep down as well as the cold, moist, and dark setting in which Scrooge lives. Throughout his childhood, Scrooge was subject to economic hardship and loneliness, thus affecting his personality. He was originally caring but then grew cold and distant in order to secure monetary stability, but his inner goodness laid dormant chipping at his hard shell from the inside. In Scrooge's dreams, he imagines games of hide-and-seek, possibly shedding light on Scrooge's feelings of loneliness and his desire for companionship, "it must be the case with Scrooge that he is lost yet struggling to be found" (Morris). Morris submits that the change had to originate inside Scrooge for it to be effective and that there was significant reason for him to desire change. Scrooge believed in marriage and Christmas and overall happiness, but became bitter as he aged and alienated himself from the people. "He can no longer find life enough to breathe in isolation; he must break out into the world" (Morris). Subconsciously, he still believed and he had to either change, or else be completely consumed by his cold, hard self.