1.
Apart from writing, Charles Dickens was a devoted advocate of children’s rights for education and social reforms. Among the most famous pieces of Dickens’ writings are The Pickwick Papers, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations. As a man he was quite energetic and self‑assured. One interesting fact about him is the rail crash that he was involved in. While he was travelling from Paris the train carriages dropped off the trails and fell down a bridge. The only carriage that remained on the track was Dickens'.
2.
It took Dickens six weeks to complete the novel. The author participated in a charity event during which money for the poorest residents of the Manchester industrial district was collected. 31‑year‑old Dickens wanted to raise people’s awareness of social injustice and the plight of poor English families, which he was passionate about. The book has enjoyed amazing popularity and has been adapted a countless number of times.
3.
The story opens in Victorian London on Christmas Eve seven years to the day after the death of Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s business partner. Scrooge, an old and mean man, runs a counting house where he employs a sole employee, bookkeeper Bob Cratchet. Bob is terribly mistreated and overworked. What's more, Scrooge refuses to keep the place warm, even when the office is cold in December. Grudgingly, he gives Bob a day off to celebrate Christmas with his family. Although he is wealthy, he never gives any money to the poor. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge’s nephew Fred invites him to dine on Christmas Day with him, which he rejects. That night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, his former business partner, who died seven years ago. Marley, who is shackled in heavy chains, warns Scrooge of the petrifying afterlife that awaits him. It becomes clear that Scrooge’s chain will be heavier unless he drastically changes his selfish ways. Marley informs Scrooge that three other ghosts are about to visit him tonight.
4.
Scrooge is awakened by the presence of the Ghost of Christmas past. It is the spirit of an angelic figure robed in white who brings Scrooge a set of memories from his childhood. One of them evokes the memory of him in a relationship with Belle and choosing wealth over love for her. Belle returns her engagement ring to Scrooge, as she claims that he desires gold more than her. After this visit, Scrooge is left alone in his room.
5.
Scrooge awakens alone in his room and the second ghost visits him at precisely one o’clock. The Ghost of Christmas Present is enormous, and seems to be the embodiment of the Christmas spirit. He takes Scrooge on the Victorian streets of London and shows him how other people celebrate Christmas, including merry feasts by his nephew Fred and another one in Bob Cratchit’s house. There is no doubt that Bob struggles hard to maintain his large family. Scrooge notices Tiny Tim, Bob’s son, who is very ill and crippled. The ghost informs Scrooge that the boy will soon die if not provided with medical care and treatment, which obviously Cratchit cannot afford. The spirit also shows him starving and cold children who are neglected by everybody. The children's names are Ignorance and Want.
6.
Finally, along comes the last of ghosts; The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. He turns out to be the most horrifying of all the ghosts: a shrouded figure dressed in black who doesn’t speak, but only points his bony finger at Scrooge. The spirit takes him for another trip around London, during which Scrooge discovers that one of the prominent town businessmen died. Soon he realises that he himself is the dead and there is no one to mourn for him. What’s worse, some people are even glad that such a selfish and cold‑hearted man is gone. Scrooge feels devastated to find out that Tiny Tim died and the Cratchit family will never be the same again. He now truly understands that he has been leading a life without purpose and has done far too much harm to people. Looking at his gravestone he finally realises he’s given a second chance, which he’s not going to lose.
7.
Scrooge wakes up on Christmas Day. He feels overjoyed that he can make a fresh start in his life. The first thing he does is take presents and food to the Cratchit family. He becomes a benefactor for them. Tiny Tim gets the best medical help and they don’t need to worry about being short of money any more. Scrooge also accepts his nephew’s invitation to dine together with Fred’s family and supports charity fundraising. He becomes a better man, employer, citizen, and a family member.
8.
It turns out that Scrooge’s heart is not totally set in stone. The three ghosts, by showing him the consequences of his deeds and choices on his past, present, and future, give him a chance to draw conclusions and make good decisions. This helps him avoid a cruel fate and have an influence on other peoples’ lives like it was with Cratchit’s little boy. At first, Scrooge doesn’t feel like having anything to do with Christmas, but in the end, he stops being greedy and on Christmas morning, he wakes up a completely reborn person.
9.
Time is one of the crucial themes in the novel. Apart from the names of three Ghosts who represent Past, Present, and Future, it particularly influences Scrooge who, as an old man, is running out of time. This is what the three ghosts remind him of. Time is also ticking away for Tiny Tim, who will die without money for special treatment.
10.
Literature lovers will surely agree that features of Dickens’ writing are very special. What makes it so exceptional are plot twists and mysteries. Readers and the audience get easily engaged and simply want more of it. As a witty author, Dickens introduces quirky characters and satiric scenarios. He was incredibly involved in social issues such as supporting the rights of children and the poor. Social injustice, involving corruption, cruelty, or dampened streets of London, are often presented in his works. Dickens’ characters often have names that personify social positions and present the absurdity of peoples’ behaviour. The author usually presents an obvious resolution at the end of his novel. No matter how hard and complicated the situation of the character is, Dickens always looks for positive solutions.