An Introduction to Dickens 'A Christmas Carol'
Themes and Motifs in the First Novel in Christmas Books
Dec 1, 2008
The story of A Christmas Carol features the memorable character Ebenezer Scrooge. At the beginning of the story Scrooge is the archetypal tight-fisted miser. On Christmas Eve Scrooge is warned by a ghost that if he does not alter his uncharitable ways he will face the same fate as his partner Marley, who has been dead for seven years.
The ghost tells Scrooge that he will be assisted by three spirits that will visit him during the course of the night: they are The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas yet to come.
The Three Ghosts
The first ghost takes Scrooge back to Christmases past: these include a Christmas during Scrooge’s youth where his sister intervened to prevent him being alone at Christmas and a Christmas party held by Fezziwig, a previous employer.
The second ghost takes Scrooge to the house of Bob Cratchit, his employee, and his poverty-stricken family who still manage to celebrate Christmas. The ghost tells Scrooge that the Cratchit’s youngest son, Tiny Tim, will die if their fortunes do not change.
The third and final ghost scares Scrooge terribly. He does not speak and is covered in a robe that disguises his face. He shows Scrooge the future of the Cratchit's, without Tiny Tim, who has since died. The ghost also shows Scrooge a vision of a man who has died: but not a single person shows any sorrow as a result. Upon inspection of a tombstone in a graveyard, Scrooge realises the man that has died is indeed himself.
Themes and Motifs
There are numerous themes and motifs within the novel. The most obvious one is the theme of poverty and hardship. Dickens himself as a youth was forced to work in a factory following his father’s incarceration in debtor’s prison. There is little doubt that he met many people that embodied the character of Scrooge when he was forced to work.
This also touches on the idea of social injustice, which was rife throughout the Victorian era: it was a time of industrialisation and mechanisation. Thus, many people were forced to live and work in dangerous and dirty conditions.
Scrooge represents the cruel face of capitalism. When asked for a donation for the poor Scrooge utters that famous line: ‘‘‘If they would rather die… they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.’’’ (Dickens, 1984, pg.11)
Many of the ideas that Dickens wrote about are still relevant for today’s readers: this is reflected in the novel’s endurance and long-lasting popularity.
References:
Charles Dickens, 1984, ‘A Christmas Carol,’ London: Penguin Books Ltd.
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