A Christmas Carol

By: Charles Dickens

5/5 Ghosts

A Christmas Carol truly feels like a tale as old as time. Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. He hates cheer; he hates giving; he hates charity. He says Bah-Humbug to every person that tries to wish a "Merry Christmas" or finagle a few donations from him. Scrooge's one employee, Bob Cratchit, is in need of donations, as well, but he still gives to those less fortunate than him. Cratchit is the perfect antithesis to Scrooge.

After a few choice words and eventually giving in to Cratchit's request to have Christmas Day off, Scrooge is alone. It is then that is old partner, Marley, visits him in the form of a ghost. He warns Scrooge to change his ways or he'll end up like Marley, who is chained even in the afterlife. Scrooge does not heed this warning, and is visited by three ghosts: Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. These ghosts help Scrooge travel through time and see what may be in store for him. Will Scrooge be able to change his ways?

I honestly feel like my description doesn't do this book justice! There's something about A Christmas Carol that I really adore. I first had to read this book when I was in elementary school (I think it was a simplified version), and I ended up checking it out from the library almost monthly after that. In high school, we were required to read the actual Charles Dickens' version, and it was one of the only books I actually liked during my high school time. It's one of the only books that leaves me speechless as to why I love it. I think it's Christmas Past that does it for me. I love that it makes Scrooge more human - it makes us understand his present self, as well as provides us insight into our own lives.

Christmas Present also gets to me. Who wouldn't like to be a fly on the wall and see what people are saying? Actually, that would probably be awful. But, Christmas Present is a nice reminder that the people Scrooge is so rude to are kind despite their own hardships. I love the way Scrooge's heart slowly begins to melt.

Finally, Christmas Future is terrifying, and I love it! I'm a sucker for the reminder that we can our paths at any time - nothing is fixed in stone. The panic of Scrooge is something I think we can all relate to when we feel we're making a mistake. It's never to late to make the changes you want to live.

Honestly, after studying Charles Dickens in college, I'm really not sure he meant this book to be so inquisitive and motivational. In some way, it's probably meant to be a satire of something. Whatever the reason, I'm thankful for its publication! I will forever love this book and all the adaptations.