Charles Dickens first published this amazing story in 1843 in Britain, the land of his birth, and the place where he encountered images and experiences that led him this tale of sadness and redemption. "A Christmas Carol" is my favorite Christmas story because, from my earliest recollections, it stuck a chord in me about the idea of conscience. Even as a small child I experienced this story, as told in cartoon fashion with Mr. McGoo in the lead role as Ebenezer Scrooge, with fright and wonder at was playing out before my eyes. As I grew to adulthood and learned more about the world, its history, and its injustices the story took on greater significance for me as I came to understand, in full, it's true meaning. Dickens' own life experiences plays heavily in the lessons he teaches us through this novella. He was impoverished for a time. His own father was separated from the family to serve time in a debtor's prison. Those experiences deeply influenced his writing, and led to a life advocating for the poor and the children of Victorian Britain. I hope you will treat yourself to a small journey of discovery by researching Dickens' remarkable life and the background of this work, and other works.
Dickens' genius is truly exposed in his placing of this message against the background of the Christmas holiday. He doesn't take the course of religious meaning, but instead guides us through this Christmas season along a path of awakening to charity and kindness for our fellow man. My own beliefs match well with this approach, and perhaps that explains my fascination with the story and the message it conveys.
In each part of the story there is a great lesson to be learned. Each character tells us something unique about the times and the context of life's experience. However, there is also a timelessness to this tale. We can easily compare the conditions of society then to the conditions we have now. Victorian Britain was a place of privilege and wealth for a few, but also a place of poverty and despair for the masses. We have the same situation now. The great pursuit of wealth (Scrooge),at the expense of the working class (Bob Cratchit), is a story for this age too. Scrooge was given his dire warning in the night when his departed business partner Jacob Marley appears in the chains of his riches, and tells Scrooge to change his ways. As Scrooge argues about the virtues of Marley's business success, Marley snaps back:
"Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business: charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
This passage reveals the central theme of the story. The spirit of Christmas is not embodied in the selfish rich- but in the virtues he names (charity-mercy-forbearance-benevolence). Incidentally these are the same virtues that are embedded in Christian ideals, when truly practiced. Dickens offered no defense of the "job creators" of his time. He condemned them and blamed them for the plight of the poor and the children (Tiny Tim) who were needlessly doomed because of exploitation and greed.
Scrooge shrugs off the visit by Marley and is visited throughout the night by three spirits who show him his life in stages. The Ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of the love and happiness he lost in his quest for riches, as well as reminding him of the hurt he felt as a youth, when those around him did not embrace the spirit of the season. Scrooge begins to feel regret, but remains unconvinced. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the celebrations of family members, and how they feel sorry for him, because he has chosen to ignore the love of his family. The Ghost shows him the home of Bob Cratchit, where family love is the most cherished reason to celebrate Christmas. This ghost also reveals others living in the world who are depraved and hardened by the harsh times their impoverished circumstances have caused. Finally the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come guides Scrooge through a dark and harrowing world created by greed, and the suffering of the masses. This tour goes through the Cratchit home where Tiny Tim has died, where only his crutch stands in the corner to remind them of the love they had for their dear lost son.The journey ends at Scrooge's grave where he is finally able to comprehend the real legacy of a life spent ignoring the plight of others, while ruthlessly pursuing wealth.
For me, the most important lesson is the one taught by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Before he leaves Scrooge he reveals two small, emaciated, and unearthly looking children who were hidden beneath his robes. Dickens described them as "wretched, abject, frightful, hideous and miserable". When Scrooge tries to ignore their obvious condition and asks if they belong to the spirit, the spirit says. "they are Man's". Then he goes on to introduce them with an ominous warning:
"This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."
We are told that Ignorance and Want will doom mankind- most particularly Ignorance. But we are also told that we can do something about these conditions- they can be erased. These should be the guiding principles for our leaders, and for us, as we chose our own path and that of our country. Unfortunately we see too many among us proposing a different path, one that assures more ignorance and more want- more economic injustice, while the "Scrooge's" count their money. Today we might call them the 1%.
Dickens ends the story with Ebenezer's reform and his salvation- having learned the true values of life from his ghostly visitors. In the end we see a man reborn, giddy with the spirit of Christmas, filled with charity and concern for his fellow man. We see a man who goes about this life from then on, happy in his service to others. In this we see the true spirit of Christmas, and Dickens ends "A Christmas Carol".
Thank you for allowing me to share this timeless story with you, and tell you how much it means to me. Our family hopes that all of you will enjoy happy holidays and a Merry Christmas. Our fervent wish for the new year is that the spirit of Dickens' message will reach those who need it most to rekindle the virtues that serve mankind best.
Thanks for looking in.
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