A Book Review In ComArts

(A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)

Submitted by:

LUCERO, Jerald G. Submitted to: Ms. Angelita Occeo Libarto

October 16, 2013

I.

Introduction
According to Goodreads, one of the best-loved and most quoted stories of the

man who invented ChristmasEnglish writer Charles DickensA Christmas Carol debuted in 1843 and has touched millions of hearts since.

A Christmas Carol is story written by Charles Dickens, the first of a series of what he called Christmas Books. It quickly became popular, and it has influenced the way people in Britain think of Christmas - indeed, some people think that Dickens almost invented our ideas about the season. Ebenezer Scrooge has become perhaps better known than the book he appears in - as has his catchphrase, "Bah, humbug".

A Christmas Carol is a story about change. Ebenezer Scrooge is a selfish and hard-hearted old man. One Christmas Eve the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley appears to him. Marley was almost as selfish as Scrooge, and now his spirit is being punished. He tells Scrooge that he must change his ways, and

explains that three more ghosts will visit him. These three spirits show Scrooge his past, his present and a possible future.

II.

Settings and Characters

The story is set mainly in London some time in the middle of the 19 th century. Because it is relatively short, the locations are only sketched. There are some costly descriptions of interiors, especially the transformation of Scrooge's home by the Ghost of Christmas Present and the preparations for Mr. Fezziwig's ball. We also see into the homes of Fred, the Cratchits, Belle and Caroline.

The following are the characters of the story.

1. Ebenezer Scrooge - the protagonist, Scrooge is a cold, miserly creditor whose redemption to kindness and selflessness forms the arc of A Christmas Carol. Scrooge represents the Victorian rich who neglect the poor and think only of their own well-being. The most motivation Dickens provides for Scrooge's character is his depiction of him as a young boy; neglected by his peers and, it appears, by his father, the young Scrooge seemed determined to live only for himself as he aged.

2. Bob Cratchit - Cratchit is Scrooge's overworked employee, a timid man afraid to stand up to his boss's demanding ways. The patriarch of a family poor in wealth but rich in love, he cares especially dearly for his crippled son, Tiny Tim. Cratchit is a symbol for the Victorian poor, good-hearted and hard-working but unable to climb out the stifling conditions of poverty. 3. Ghost of Christmas Past - The first ghost to visit Scrooge, the small, elderly figure represents memory. 4. Ghost of Christmas Present - A giant clad in robes, this ghost has 1800 brothers and a life span of one day. He represents celebration and charity. 5. Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come - This solemn, silent phantom represents death, but also the presents the possibilities that the future is not determined, but open to the free will of humans. 6. Fred - Scrooge's nephew, Fred embodies the jollity and sharing of Christmas. He refuses to let Scrooge's "Bah! Humbug!" attitude bring him down, and is overjoyed when his uncle converts and attends his party. 7. Tiny Tim - Cratchit's crippled son, Tiny Tim represents the overwhelming goodness of the Christmas spirit. 8. Jacob Marley - Scrooge's old partner, Marley appears to Scrooge as a ghost and warns him about the dangers of being obsessed with money. 9. Fezziwig - The young Scrooge's jolly, selfless boss. 10. Belle - Scrooge's former girlfriend, she breaks up with him because of his greed. 11. Fan - Scrooge's younger sister.

III.

Summary

Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, cold-hearted creditor, continues his stingy, greedy ways on Christmas Eve. He rejects a Christmas dinner invitation, and all the good tidings of the holiday, from his jolly nephew, Fred; he yells at charity workers; and he overworks his employee, Bob Cratchit. At night, Scrooge's former partner Jacob Marley, dead for seven years, visits him in the form of a ghost. Marley's spirit has been wandering since he died as punishment for being consumed with business and not with people while alive. He has come to warn Scrooge and perhaps save him from the same fate. He tells him Three Spirits will come to him over the next three nights. Scrooge falls asleep and wakes up to find the Ghost of Christmas Past, a small, elderly figure. The Ghost shows Scrooge scenes from the past that trace Scrooge's development from a young boy, lonely but with the potential for happiness, to a young man with the first traces of greed that would deny love in his life. Scrooge shows newfound emotion when revisiting these scenes, often crying from identification with his former neglected self. Scrooge goes to sleep and is awakened by the Ghost of Christmas Present, a giant with a life span of one day. He shows Scrooge several current scenes of Christmas joy and charity, then shows him the Cratchit household. The Ghost informs Scrooge that unless the future is changed, the Cratchit's crippled and goodhearted young son, Tiny Tim, will die. He also shows Scrooge the party at Fred's

house. Finally, a ragged boy and girl crawl out from the Ghost's robes. The Ghost calls them Ignorance and Want and warns Scrooge to beware of Ignorance. The silent, black-clad Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come replaces the other ghost. He shows Scrooge several scenes of people discussing someone's death; no one seems pained by the death, and most are happy about it. Scrooge does not know, however, who the man is. He learns that Tiny Tim has died, but the Cratchits maintain their unity and love. Scrooge finally discovers that he is the one who has died and whose death has only pleased people. He expresses the hope that these scenes of the future can be changed, and vows to incorporate the lessons of the past, present, and future into his adoption of the Christmas spirit. Scrooge wakes up in his bedroom and learns that the whole adventure took only one night, not threeit is Christmas Day. In addition to smiling and being friendly to everyone he sees, he sends a large turkey to the Cratchits, gives a sizable donation to the charity worker he previously insulted, and has a wonderful time at Fred's party. The next day he gives Cratchit a raise. Scrooge continues his kindly ways after Christmas, befriending everyone and becoming a second father to Tiny Tim, who does not die. He never sees the ghosts again, but he keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in his heart as well as anyone.

IV.

Review of the Book

A Christmas Carol is a story about redemption - how one man, who has led a selfish and greedy life that has brought him no pleasure or kinship, gets a chance to

revisit his choices and observe the consequences. It's smart, funny, and, of course, very Victorian. A Christmas Carol is a pleasure to read. It perfectly portrays the contrast between the abundant plenty of Christmas feasts among the fortunate ones, and the cold, pinched deprivation of people who are outside. The point of the story is that Scrooge must become the kind of person who brings all that warm, hearty merriness from the inner circle and carries it to those who are in need. He does so beautifully and admirably. May that truly be said of us, and all of us. I was humbled and delight by this book. It was a delight to read, as always, and amazing how relevant it is even though it was written way back in the 1800's. That's why they're classics - in case you ever wondered.

V.

Recommendation

The book is recommended for reading to children. It offers lots of moral lessons that children can apply for their development. It should not only apply during Christmas season, but may we always remember to keep in our hearts the spirit and joys of Christmas throughout the year. Moreover, the book is for all ages and it never gets old, making it an all-time classic Christmas story.