I've watched A Christmas Carol every year for as long as I can remember. I've seen at least two different plays, and 4 different film versions. My family has also read the story together a couple of times before I moved out. My father reads the book every year in December and enjoys watching the three different versions films they own. They will usually also catch a performance of the play at the local theater. With my last book coming to a close at the beginning of December, I thought that it was time to review the story again. It is one that I do love and has a very timeless message. Here is the link to the Audible page for the book. While there are several versions of A Christmas Carol I was drawn to this one as it was narrated by Tim Curry, a particular favorite actor of mine. I cannot fault his performance for he did a very good job.
Plot: Ebenezer Scrooge is the reason why the word "scrooge" has the meaning it does. A miser, a grump and a uncaring and unfeeling man, Ebenezer does nothing but what is good for business and cares nothing for his fellow man. As the story opens on Christmas Eve Ebenezer has plenty of opportunity to express his disgust with the cheer, generosity, joy, and selflessness that comes with the holiday. When asked if he would like to donate to a poor fund he flatly refuses, saying that his taxes go to support the poor houses, prisons, and workhouses and that the poor must go there. In response to the petitioner's response that "many would rather die" then go there Ebenezer replies, "If they are going to die then let them do it, and decrease the surplus population." Such a man is Ebenezer Scrooge. However, that night he is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, who had died seven years ago that very day. At first unbelieving, but later convinced to the true spectral form of his visitor he learns that should his live go on unchanged a horrible fate awaits. Jacob has been sent to tell him of his chance of redemption - visitations from three spirits who were to show him what was, what is, and what is to come. The spirits come and Ebenezer is shown what Christmas really means and why we should care about it.
My personal favorites: This story is associated with Christmas because of the setting and the title. It revolves around the holiday and it uses it to demonstrate the lesson that it teaches. It is not just a Christmas story. As Ebenezer says, "I will strive to keep the Christmas spirit all the year long." The story is one of citizenship in the human race. The spirits that visit Ebenezer are not kind to him. His lifestyle has been established over decades. The chain he wears, as Jacob Marley describes "is a ponderous chain!" That kind of tradition requires a pretty big shock to help him break old habits. Through Ebenezer we are able to see what effect our actions can have over others - particularly our inaction. I love the way that Dicken's teaches us this lesson. While many are familiar with the film versions (or plays) of the story, I have let to see a single version that contains all of the things that Dickens put in the original story. While those dramatized versions can convey the message of the story, the novel provides much deeper insights and convictions that make it the literal timeless story that it is.
Considerations: I've often wondered about the line from the song, "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" that say, 'they're be scary ghost stories.' While dramatized versions of the story designed for children (like Micky's Christmas Carol and the Muppet's Christmas Carol downplay the suspense in some ways, what Ebenezer experiences can be quite terrifying. As I said earlier, the spirits are not kind to Ebenezer. It happened to be late at night as I was listening to the part where Jacob Marley appears and I found myself quite unnerved. Bear that in mind when listening.
This is a book I will return to every year at this time. I have found myself turned off before by overly sentimental, holiday stories. This is one that I have never tired of. Like my father, I find the reminder of what is truly important at this time of year, and every time of year, to be needed in life. On, a side note my favorite film version of this story is the 1984 version done with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is a short one - only 3 and a half hours long - so it fits into any schedule.
Plot: Ebenezer Scrooge is the reason why the word "scrooge" has the meaning it does. A miser, a grump and a uncaring and unfeeling man, Ebenezer does nothing but what is good for business and cares nothing for his fellow man. As the story opens on Christmas Eve Ebenezer has plenty of opportunity to express his disgust with the cheer, generosity, joy, and selflessness that comes with the holiday. When asked if he would like to donate to a poor fund he flatly refuses, saying that his taxes go to support the poor houses, prisons, and workhouses and that the poor must go there. In response to the petitioner's response that "many would rather die" then go there Ebenezer replies, "If they are going to die then let them do it, and decrease the surplus population." Such a man is Ebenezer Scrooge. However, that night he is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, who had died seven years ago that very day. At first unbelieving, but later convinced to the true spectral form of his visitor he learns that should his live go on unchanged a horrible fate awaits. Jacob has been sent to tell him of his chance of redemption - visitations from three spirits who were to show him what was, what is, and what is to come. The spirits come and Ebenezer is shown what Christmas really means and why we should care about it.My personal favorites: This story is associated with Christmas because of the setting and the title. It revolves around the holiday and it uses it to demonstrate the lesson that it teaches. It is not just a Christmas story. As Ebenezer says, "I will strive to keep the Christmas spirit all the year long." The story is one of citizenship in the human race. The spirits that visit Ebenezer are not kind to him. His lifestyle has been established over decades. The chain he wears, as Jacob Marley describes "is a ponderous chain!" That kind of tradition requires a pretty big shock to help him break old habits. Through Ebenezer we are able to see what effect our actions can have over others - particularly our inaction. I love the way that Dicken's teaches us this lesson. While many are familiar with the film versions (or plays) of the story, I have let to see a single version that contains all of the things that Dickens put in the original story. While those dramatized versions can convey the message of the story, the novel provides much deeper insights and convictions that make it the literal timeless story that it is.
Considerations: I've often wondered about the line from the song, "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" that say, 'they're be scary ghost stories.' While dramatized versions of the story designed for children (like Micky's Christmas Carol and the Muppet's Christmas Carol downplay the suspense in some ways, what Ebenezer experiences can be quite terrifying. As I said earlier, the spirits are not kind to Ebenezer. It happened to be late at night as I was listening to the part where Jacob Marley appears and I found myself quite unnerved. Bear that in mind when listening.
This is a book I will return to every year at this time. I have found myself turned off before by overly sentimental, holiday stories. This is one that I have never tired of. Like my father, I find the reminder of what is truly important at this time of year, and every time of year, to be needed in life. On, a side note my favorite film version of this story is the 1984 version done with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is a short one - only 3 and a half hours long - so it fits into any schedule.
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