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Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
| Sjanger: |
Engelsk |
| Forfatter: |
Devin Allen |
| Lagt ut: |
12.09.04 |
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Besides being the secular story of Christmas time in an
urban setting, A Christmas Carol, tells the sacred story of
Christmas as well. With A Christmas Carol, Dickens initiated an
ongoing creative process in the Anglo-American imagination. As a
result of the Industrial Revolution and the growth and
development of cities people's lives changed drastically as they
moved from the life and traditions of the country into those of the
city. As industrialization continued, for many people in the city
living and working conditions worsened. As reports of horrible
working conditions increased so did the literature of social
concern for reform.. Prior to the publication of A Christmas Carol
the ideas and concerns of various reform bills sparked increased
debate over political and social issues. Whether or not Dickens
had A Christmas Carol specifically in mind, it is clear that the
Industrial Revolution was an important factor in making his
Christmas story a tale for the times.
Dickens was concerned about the working and living
conditions during the Industrial Revolution, when the book was
written. These are reflected in Ebenezer Scrooge. He is the
shown as the mean and hateful owner, who could care less if his
workers are well because he could always get more people. He
knew this because during the Industrial Revolution there were
more people than there were jobs, so people had to settle for
worse conditions because that was all there was. When two men
some into his shop wanting a donation for the poor, Scrooge says
that it would be all right for them to die because that would just
help the population problem. Also we see Bob Cratchit who is
working for Scrooge. He gets paid a meager salary and can barely
afford to feed and care for his family. His son is dying and he
cannot afford proper treatment for his son. But, even through all
of this he still manages to have a Christmas dinner and not let his
situation destroy the Christmas spirit. Bob Cratchit represents the
working class that do their best to survive and are thankful they
are still alive.
While some argue that Dickens was prompted by the plight
of the poor to write a story bringing some of the traditional
Christmas spirit to the city using a secular story, there is clear
evidence that Dickens looked to religious beliefs and Christian
values as a way to keep Christmas sacred and also as a way to
respond to the problems society was facing. In particular, the time
Scrooge spends with the Ghost of Christmas Future shows how
Dickens asserts various Christian values. Just as Jesus speaks of
welcoming and caring for children as a way of honoring God,
Dickens' story suggests the same moral and Christian value; in this
case the caring for Tiny Tim and his poor family as a way of
honoring God. A more symbolic lesson can be seen by
comparing Tiny Tim's grave with Scrooge's. When Bob Cratchit
returns to his family, he explains to his wife, "I wish you could
have gone. It would have done you good to see how green a place
it is. Bob cried, but with some optimism. In the city,
particularly, the poor could not have seen many beautiful and
"green" places. Although Tiny Tim's death is a mournful occasion
there is a sentiment of joy that he has reached a better place. In
contrast, Scrooge's grave site is very different. Although the
churchyard is described as a "worthy place," it is also, "walled in
by houses, overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation's
death, not life; chocked up with to much burning; fat with
repleted appetite." Looking upon the grave pointed out by the
Spirit, Scrooge "read[s] upon the stone of the neglected grave his
own name." It is clear the two resting places differ greatly; as
different as heaven and hell.
Just as Scrooge has been warned of what is in store for him,
Dickens may be warning the people of England of what is in store
for them if they do not seek reform not only from a social and
political standpoint, but from a moral and religious standpoint as
well. Another perhaps religious intention in Dickens's story is
apparent at the end of the scene with the ghost of the future. With
Scrooge's change of heart and promise to "honor Christmas...and
keep it all the year" we assume from Marley's earlier warning that
if Scrooge indeed changes his ways he can in a sense "spoonge
away the writing on the stone" and begin a new life. It is
significant that Scrooge promises that "the Spirits of all Three
shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they
teach". This statement is indicative of several Christian statements
of faith promising to live and follow the teachings of the "Three"
God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.
When we first met Scrooge, we are informed, and also
observe that he is cold, miserly, and bitter. However, after the
visit of the Ghost of Christmas future, Scrooge changes into a
generous and cheerful man. It is clear that something must have
caused a man who is really nice, turn into a mean and nasty
person, in this case it was the Industrial Revolution.
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