Christmas Carol is one of the most popular lierature classics. It was first published in 1843 and still it’s popularity continues. It was written by Charles Dickens.
It’s not surprising that the story was popular when it was first released, and it’s probably not even that shocking that the story has continued to demand attention. This Christmas Carol contains something for everyone: love, hate, death, ghosts, a miser, and a cute little boy. The story is interesting, as the story jumps back and forth in time, reminding the old miser Scrooge about the misery and joy he’d once enjoyed, before his vision was clouded by greed.
The three spirits (ghostly visitors) come to see Scrooge on this Christmas Eve to give him a final chance to mend his ways. Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a tour of his childhood, with the loss of his fiance, and the good times he had with Mr. Fezziweg. Then, Christmas Present shows up to show him how Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, is celebrating the holidays, etc. Finally, Christmas Present shows him the dire consequences he and the Cratchit family will face, if he doesn’t change.
When Scrooge’s traumatic experience in the past, present and future is over, Scrooge emerges a new man. The story is catchy… It seems to strike a cord, no matter if you are rich or poor, young or old. In fact, through the years, we want to hear the story over and over again. Perhaps the greatest indication of success is the adaptations and re-adaptation of a work of literature down through the ages.
E.M. Forster once noted of Dickens: “He had the power of projecting himself into shapes and suggestions of his fancy which is one of the marvels of creative imagination, and what he desired to express he became.”
“A Christmas Carol” is powerful in the lesson that even the worst of individuals can be transformed, with a new self awareness and understanding of the past and present… and what these time elements can mean for the future.
Dr. Navtej Kohli | Public Profile of Navtej Kohli
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