A Christmas Carol From Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol is one of the most unique novellas by Charles Dickens. The novella tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who despises Christmas and all things joyful. The narrative unfolds on Christmas Eve when Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him to change his ways or suffer in the afterlife. The idea of purgatory plays a prominent role within the novella. Marley informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits. Charles Dickens labelled "A Christmas Carol" as a ghost story.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a journey through his own past, showing him scenes from his childhood, youth, and early adult life. These memories remind Scrooge of the time when he was more innocent and joyful, and how he gradually became the greedy man he is today. The Ghost of Christmas Past has a childlike appeareance so as to remind Scrooge about his past memories.

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the current Christmas celebrations of the people around him. Scrooge sees the modest but happy Christmas of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family, including the frail and kind-hearted Tiny Tim, whose health is precarious. He is a crippled little boy that everyone loves and cares. The little boy is filled with an almost supernatural spirit. His childish essence is from God and represents all poor and vulnerable children. The spirit named Christmas Present also reveals to Scrooge how others, including his nephew Fred, view him as a miserly and pitiable old man. The spirit looks like a giant Saint and represents the warmth and generousity of the Christmas spirit. Under his coat there are two children hiding. They are Ignorance and Want that are described as "wretched, abject, hidious and miserable" to symbolise the disease of ignorance and want in the society.

"They are the man's children" says the Ghost of Christmas Present.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (or the Ghost of Christmas Future) presents a grim and foreboding vision of Scrooge's future. He witnesses scenes of people discussing the death of an unloved man, and finally realizes with horror that this man is himself. He sees his own neglected grave and understands the full extent of the loneliness and sorrow his life choices have caused. The Ghost of Yet to Come symbolises the unknown future and resembles The Grim Reaper. The Grim Reaper is an allusion here. Dickens draws parallel between the ghost and the Grim Reaper, who is a personification of death.

Profoundly moved by these visions, Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning with a new outlook on life. He becomes generous, kind, and full of Christmas spirit. He donates to charity, treats Bob Cratchit and his family with kindness, and embraces his nephew's family, ensuring that Tiny Tim receives the medical care he needs. He enthusiastically accepts his nephew's Christmas dinner invitation that he strongly refused at the very beginning.

The story concludes with Scrooge's transformation as he brings himself and those around him joy, demonstrating the themes of redemption, compassion, and the spirit of Christmas.

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