A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a classic piece of British literature which should be read during Christmastime. The story is about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is a businessman who lost his partner in business, Jacob Marley, on Christmas Eve. Seven years after Marley’s death, Marley’s ghost returns to warn Scrooge. Marley states that Scrooge will be visited by three Spirits: (1) The Spirit of Christmas Past, (2) The Spirit of Christmas Present, and (3) The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. Marley informs Scrooge that these three Spirits will visit him over the next three nights. However, they end up visiting Scrooge over Christmas Eve night.

First, the Spirit of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his past. Scrooge revisits points of his childhood. These visits give Scrooge good memories as well as regrets. Next, the Spirit of Christmas Present shows Scrooge life in the present. This Spirit reveals to Scrooge how life is like for those in Scrooge’s life. He sees the poor conditions of the city. He hears how people think about Scrooge. Scrooge is discouraged about how people think about him. Finally, the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come visits. This faceless Spirit takes Scrooge to the future day of his death. People don’t mourn Scrooge’s death. They all seem to be glad that Scrooge is dead.

The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a grave. On it’s inscription is his name. On seeing this, Scrooge falls and begs for a change. He claims to be a different person if only this fate would not happen to him. Scrooge wakes up and discovers it is Christmas morning. He has decided to change. He buys a meal for his employee and takes up the invitation to his nephew’s home for Christmas dinner.

A secondary plot is the life of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s employee. His family is poor. They struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table. His son Tiny Tim is very ill. Scrooge’s change also affects the Cratchit family. Scrooge decides in the end to take care of the Cratchit family. Scrooge shows his love by taking care of Tiny Tim. The book ends with the positive word that “God may bless everyone.”

The book uses a literary device which has been repeated in other books and films since Dickens wrote it. There are Christian undertones in the book. The overall theme in the book is the need to change and the importance of love and generosity. Scrooge represents the rich man who recognizes his need for change. As a Christian, the need for change is a reality that everyone needs to accept. God wants to come to Him and change. This is a classic book which should be read every year.