"'A Christmas Carol' is a novella written by Charles Dickens, first published in 1843. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is transformed by the spirit of Christmas. 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 face a grim fate.
Marley informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Each spirit takes Scrooge on a journey through time, showing him scenes from his own life and the lives of others, highlighting the consequences of his selfishness and lack of compassion.
After these transformative experiences, Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning with a newfound spirit of generosity and kindness. He vows to change his ways, spreading joy and goodwill. He becomes a benefactor to the Cratchit family, helps those in need, and embraces the true meaning of Christmas.
Charles Dickens was a prominent English writer and social critic, born on February 7, 1812, and died on June 9, 1870. He is best known for his vivid characters, intricate plots, and keen observations of Victorian society.
Dickens's works often addressed social issues such as poverty, child labor, and the struggles of the working class, making him a significant figure in both literature and social reform. His writing style is characterized by a mix of humor, pathos, and a deep empathy for his characters" GPT-4o (Duck.ai).
Reader’s note: Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” in just six weeks. It was first published in 1843 by Chapman & Hall Publishers in London England with many reprints and republications since then.
An Internet Archive link for a 1913 publication of all of Charles Dickins’ Christmas stories: https://archive.org/details/christmasstories00dick_0/mode/2up
Also, a look at another book titled “Christmas Carols New and Old” from 1850 by Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer which gives modern readers a look at the Christmas carols used in the middle of the 19th century, which is the Victorian Era (named after the reign of Queen Victoria which lasted from 1837 to 1901).
An Internet Archive link for this book “Christmas Carols New and Old” (1850): https://archive.org/details/christ00bram
The Victorian era produced many famous authors such as William Makepeace Thackeray, the three Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë), Elizabeth Gaskell, George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, etc.
Enjoy!
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