A story for Christmas

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843. It is set in London during a cold Christmas season. At the start, Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy businessman who cares more about money than people. He dismisses Christmas as “Humbug!” and shows little sympathy for those who are poor. Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, works for him in a chilly office. Bob is cheerful and devoted to his family, including his young son, Tiny Tim, who is seriously ill. Scrooge’s nephew Fred, by contrast, welcomes Christmas and invites his uncle to celebrate with him, but Scrooge refuses. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley warns that Scrooge must change. Then three spirits take Scrooge through scenes from his past, present and possible future. What he sees makes him think about the people around him and the consequences of his choices. Dickens’s story explores kindness, poverty, family and the possibility of change. It asks readers to consider how people should treat one another. By the end, Scrooge has the chance to act differently—but what will he do?

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