Published in 1843, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is one of the most widely known stories about Christmas. The author himself was angry at the state of British society at the time, where child labor and extreme poverty were common. The country had recently faced a harsh economy and failed harvests, making food prices soar.
He had written numerous pamphlets about the plight of the poor and attended charity dinners, but felt that he wasn’t making as much impact as he had hoped. He also had to face the reality of the struggles faced by his disabled nephew Harry, who inspired the character of Tiny Tim. Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in order to reach people’s hearts and inspire a spirit of charity and togetherness. Despite publishing struggles, the book was an instant hit and soon it became a model of what the “spirit of Christmas” meant and how it should be celebrated. The impacts of the short novella can still be felt today in ways big and small.
Traditions Inspired by A Christmas Carol
At the time, A Christmas Carol reinvigorated older traditions that had been lost like singing carols, a huge Christmas dinner and special holiday desserts. It also popularized new traditions such as Christmas trees (originally from Germany) and sending Christmas cards.
Dickens belabors the fact that the character of Scrooge is a curmudgeon and a cheapskate. Now, we use the term “Scrooge” to describe such a mean and uncharitable person as in, “That guy is such a Scrooge!”
There are numerous adaptations of A Christmas Carol in theater, movies and television as the story continues to touch people today, with each one being adapted for modern audiences. The story itself and its themes of generosity, redemption and communal responsibility remain timeless. Check out these adaptations of A Christmas Carol below!
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