A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, begins with the death of Jacob Marley (Ebenezer Scrooge’s former associate). The two men had operated a firm together known as ‘Scrooge and Marley.’ Scrooge is now left
as the sole proprietor.    
 
Scrooge’s nephew Fred enters the countinghouse on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve, wishing Scrooge a merry Christmas. The two men engage in a debate over the merits and demerits of Christmas, with Scrooge bitterly denouncing it as a “humbug.” Scrooge firmly rejects his nephew’s invitation to dine at his house on Christmas Day.
Two charitable gentlemen then enter the countinghouse, seeking donations for the “Poor and destitute” of London. Scrooge resentfully refuses to offer his funds, despite his renowned wealth within the city.

Scrooge’s third interaction occurs with his employed clerk Bob Cratchit. Bob belongs to a poor family of humble means, who struggle to support their sickly child Tiny Tim. Scrooge unwillingly permits Cratchit the day off on Christmas, angrily commenting on the injustice of paying “a day’s wages for no work.”
The introduction of the novella thus sets up the characterisation of Scrooge: an ageing, wealthy, selfish, and bitter old man who fails to see the value and joy in Christmas.
Upon returning home, Scrooge is then confronted by the ghost of his old companion Marley, who warns Scrooge of the perils of living a frugal and uncompassionate life. Marley’s ghost himself is weighted with heavy chains of metal, symbolising the consequences in the afterlife of pursuing a life of egotism and opportunism.
Though initially unconvinced by the ghost’s warning, Scrooge is told that he will be visited by three spirits, sent to teach a moral lesson to which Scrooge is blind.

Scrooge is first frequented by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes him through various events from his childhood and adulthood. Scrooge, who at first is presented to the reader as an entirely grave and unemotional character, is sympathetic towards these memories, reminiscing on events he had once suppressed in his mind.
 

He is then confronted by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows Scrooge the celebrations of various Londoners on Christmas Day. Here, Scrooge is awakened to the community members’ unsympathetic opinions of him, viewing his harsh nature as cruel and oppressive.

Lastly, Scrooge is guided by the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, and is horrifically confronted by the future prospect of his very own death. Scrooge is perturbed by this final imagery, pleading with the spirit and pledging to amend his ways and treat Christmas with the same joy and generosity that the ghost itself preaches.
Scrooge is surprised to awaken on Christmas Day with the teachings of the spirits firmly ingrained in his conscience. He pledges to amend his previous wrongdoings, and to go forth with a new outlook of benevolence, sending the “prize turkey” to the Cratchit household, donating a generous sum to the “Poor and destitute” of London, and celebrating with his nephew’s family.

The novella thus concludes with an idealistic perception of what Christmas should be: a celebration of thanksgiving and prosperity, devoid of the selfishness and spite previously fostered by Scrooge.