A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Book Review
The classic wintry story, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was the final club read for 2021, and in this book review, we follow the three Spirits that guided Scrooge to redemption on Christmas Eve.
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A Book Review
114 pages | Classic Fiction Novella | Charles Dickens
Edition published by Barnes & Noble, 1994
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Book Review
Summary
Ebenezer Scrooge loathes Christmas; in fact, he believes it’s a holiday for picking pockets. Frugal in funds and love, he trots the frozen streets alone until he reaches his enormous yet empty home. Former business partner, Jacob Marley appears as a ghost in chains. He warns Scrooge to change his ways before it’s too late and he becomes destined for the same eternal fate. But he has a chance for redemption if he follows three haunting spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come.
“'I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.'”
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
**This book review does reveal some spoilers**
Structure & Theme
Since the book was written in the 1800s, the language can be challenging. Expect phrases and diction that may take time to comprehend. If you are patient, there are timeless quotes that will leave you in awe - at least it did for me. Charles Dickens' structure is easy to follow because we effortlessly move through time with the guiding spirits.
“The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went.”
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Christmas Spirits Breakdown
The main themes I discuss throughout this breakdown are: greed and humanity.
The Ghost of Christmas Past
The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a handful of flashbacks into his youth during the wintry holiday. We see Scrooge isolated and impoverished, kindred with fictional characters in books. As he grows up, he finds an apprenticeship and romance. The memories ignite a tenderness inside his heart, which he lost long ago.
Remorse and regret for his present actions fill his thoughts as he reflects on his joyful Christmas spirit from his youth. He recalls his former boss Feezziwig who imbues happiness and selflessness, especially on that holiday; this reminds Scrooge that he once felt its essence with a special revere. Witnessing such warmth awakens him to something he has long forgotten - happiness and human connection.
“‘The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.’”
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Within the same breath, we witness the downfall of Scrooge’s character. Drastically his relationships diminish. As a lad, he loved a woman, but soon his admiration shifted elsewhere: gold. His greed consumed every action, and since he was no longer the man she fell in love with, she released him. The tinged heartache of this memory sends Scrooge into the unbearable realization that he caused his own misery. Unable to endure the torment of his life failures, he extinguishes the first Spirit's light.
As much as one can put off the consequences of their actions, this Spirit directly pinpoints his downfall, which tells us reader that Scrooge became dismissive of Christmas because he was obsessed with money, and once he could control it - it controlled him. His search for “comfort” led him to hurt those closest to him, and to a greater extent, we witness how it ailed his life.
The Ghost of Christmas Present
This phantom reflects the ripples Christmas spirit brings to the world. Scrooge is taken into people’s homes and shown humility and love - no matter its price. Employee Bob Cratchit requests one day off a year, and although he's reluctant, Scrooge allows it. Unaware of the Cratchit's lifestyle and Christmas merriment, the second Spirit shows him their holiday. It’s not glamorous in riches or currency, but of love.
We learn of Cratchit's young son Tiny Tim's disability that potentially may lead to an early grave. Scrooge’s sympathy for the boy pushes him to give to those less fortunate. His worldview shifts from greed to helping others because he feels utterly crushed that the boy befell a painful existence. His former beliefs stir inside him, causing him to reflect upon his idea of people dying to "decrease the surplus population".
This ghost also shows him the family he does not see. While most relatives speak ill of Scrooge and his riches, his nephew tries to see the good in his uncle. This character shows what Scrooge has lost for many years: humanity.
These encounters influence Scrooge for redemption, his witness to the harsh realities of Bob Cratchit’s family, and his ostracization within his own during Christmas impart a reason to change. The present is malleable, and he has the power to alter it.
We are now led to the reality that is to come if he does not.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come
The final Spirit is the cloaked Grim Reaper, silent but haunting. This ghost frightens Scrooge most of all because he fears his ominous future. Gathering all he has learned from the past two encounters, he rediscovered what he finds valuable: human connection. Since he constantly measures worth through currency, he uncovers the ultimate treasures are love, compassion, and giving.
His fear is not only of death but the collection of human disconnection he has caused. He is shown what will become of his remains, and his lack of humanity leaves him to rot alone. It directs Scrooge to his death. The covered body lies lifeless and alone under a limp sheet. Robbers preparing his corpse end up stealing his precious treasures. There is no kin to claim his legacy - or protect him from such greed because he lived in it himself. Most people speak of his death as a passing conversation. Scrooge does not have family or friends reminiscing his valor in life because he detached himself from them.
“Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here, and dress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy command: for this is thy dominion!”
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The haunting Spirits awaken Scrooge to his pitiful fate, so he is ready to reconcile his lifestyle before he perishes as an unloved man.
Afterthoughts
This book review of A Christmas Carol was honestly difficult to put together because I didn't quite have a grasp of the story upon the first reading. The diction did make it easier for me to fall out of the narrative, but after numerous revisions for this review, I have a deeper grasp of the book because I often re-read it through the process. I feel confident to say that when I read this novella again, my revere for its message will sink in considerably as it did after completing this review for it. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to everyone - it's a story well worth reading!
Dickens does a masterful job developing Scrooge and the other characters that push him to change. This classic story has inspired me in my latest manuscript. Charles Dickens takes the reader on a journey that is truly engulfing. This book holds beautiful metaphors and serves as a cautionary tale, which should be read by everyone who has been lost in life and needs direction.
A Christmas Carol Book ReviewRating: 4 stars ★★★★
Questions:
What was your greatest takeaway from A Christmas Carol?
Share your thoughts on Ignorance and Want. Why are they important to this story?
If you were met by these three ghosts, would there be anything you felt the need to change?
Thanks for reading with me!
