A christmas carol Essay Example for Free

A christmas carol Essay How does Dickens make the reader of A Christmas Carol want to keep Christmas well? Charles Dickens (1812-70) remains one of the most widely read Victorian novelists. He was raised from a poor family and as this experience left its mark on him he grew up not forgetting his early brush with English injustice. So many of his works deal with problems of growing up in poverty and the fight for injustices. This is evident in some of his books like Oliver Twist, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. A Christmas Carol which is said to be the first and best of all Dickens Christmas books became a national benefit and a personal kindness to all its readers. In A Christmas Carol, Dickens tells of how Scrooge, a miser learns what Christmas really means. This story tells the reader how Scrooge on Christmas Eve sits in his house and counts his money regardless of what goes on. He just wants to be left alone until the humbug of Christmas is over. At the beginning of the novel, Scrooges nephew reminds him of Christmas as a time where we think of the poor However four ghosts-Marley, his partner, the ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come- reveal to Scrooge the mistakes of his way. The visits of the spirits also remind Scrooge that Christmas is a time of generosity, joy, laughter, showing goodwill to others, sharing as well as a time to spend with loved ones. So by the dawn of Christmas Day, Scrooge is ready to keep Christmas well and learn to enjoy it. By this Dickens social conscience moves the reader and tells the reader what is involved in keeping Christmas well. Dickens uses two techniques to get readers to keep Christmas well. He frightens the reader firstly by the use of some characters like Marley. Secondly, he makes the reader want to join in with those who are enjoying Christmas by using the Cratchit Family At the beginning of the novel, Dickens makes the reader dislike Scrooge because of his attitude towards others. The reader immediately sees Scrooge as a mean, self-contained man who has no time for anyone else but himself and his money. This is seen in how he treats people. For example, Scrooge treats his clerk with anger and suspicion. However, when the latter shows interest in Christmas, the former threatens to give him the sack. Scrooge warns the clerk by saying: Let me hear another sound from you, and youll keep your Christmas by losing your situation. (Page 7) Similarly Scrooges treatment of the clerk does not differ from his nephew. Scrooges nephew pays him a visit to wish him a Merry Christmas and to invite him for dinner. Again, Scrooge treats him with contempt, making him look like a nai ve person for believing in Christmas. His response to the charity collectors was very discouraging and demeaning. Two portly gentlemen ask Scrooge to donate for charity. Due to his unbelief in charitable activities, he suggests they go to workhouses. They explain to him that most would rather die than go to such places. In reply, Scrooge says: