It's a festive confession that might raise more than a few eyebrows: a significant number of people find themselves inexplicably attracted to Charles Dickens's most famous miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. The sentiment, captured vividly in a recent Metro piece by Alice Giddings, argues that the pre-redemption curmudgeon possesses a strangely screwable quality, a notion that has found fertile ground online and in popular culture.
The 'I Can Fix Him' Fantasy
The core of Scrooge's appeal, according to dating experts, lies in a powerful and common fantasy: the desire to reform a difficult man. Hayley Quinn, a dating expert for Match, explains this 'I can fix him' mentality is a fundamental draw. "We can be drawn to these complicated characters because of the inner desire to try and change someone," she states. The projected reward is a partner moulded to one's own specifications, who would be eternally grateful for their transformation.
This isn't just about literary fantasy. The internet is awash with fan fiction exploring this dynamic with Scrooge, and the trope has appeared on screen. Notably, Chloe Sevigny's character in the 1998 film The Last Days of Disco explicitly remarked on the sex appeal of Scrooge McDuck. Quinn suggests that "morally grey" personalities naturally stand out and add spice compared to someone perceived as too "vanilla."
Confidence, Cash, and Hidden Potential
Beyond the reformer's complex, Scrooge exhibits other traits traditionally coded as attractive. His self-interest can be read as confidence and assertiveness, qualities that remain compelling. Furthermore, his success is undeniable; Forbes once ranked him as the sixth-richest fictional character with a net worth of £8 billion.
Perhaps most enticing is the glimpse of potential. His stubbornness is tempered by a demonstrated capacity for deep reflection and change, as seen in his iconic Christmas Eve transformation. The story proves he harbours a capacity for generosity, kindness, and empathy—the makings of a well-rounded partner, once unlocked.
The Real-World Cost of Chasing a Project
However, experts issue a stark warning for those tempted to seek out a real-life Scrooge. The 'fixer-upper' approach to romance often leads to heartbreak. "The 'I can change them' mindset is a bad one," Quinn cautions. It involves projecting a future ideal rather than accepting a person as they are today, and places the responsibility for a happy relationship on one's ability to enact change in another.
This pursuit can become personally costly, fostering greater attachment to a failing dynamic. It can also be detrimental to the other person, enabling them to avoid necessary self-reflection. While change is possible, it must be self-motivated; sometimes, the catalyst is actually losing a relationship, not having someone stay and attempt a renovation.
The original Scrooge did achieve redemption, becoming "better than his word… and infinitely more." Yet, as the original article concedes, the likelihood of a modern-day Scrooge changing for anyone is slim. The fantasy, it seems, remains safest within the pages of a book or the frames of a film, where Matthew McConaughey, Patrick Stewart, or a young Raymond Coulthard can bring that grumpy, aloof, and potentially reformable energy to life without any real-world emotional risk.
