A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a Victorian novel about a greedy old man whose only joy in life is material comforts. Confronted by his own greed in the guise of four spirits on Christmas Eve, he faces his demons and embraces the true spirit of giving.

Fast Facts:

Author: Charles Dickens
Published: December 19, 1843
Setting: Victorian London
The five chapters are called staves
Has been adapted for stage, film, television and into cartoons

Plot Synopsis

The story centers around a grumpy business owner named Scrooge, who has lost everything he once cared about in life except his business. A life of disappointment has made Scrooge very miserly, and this is reflected in his treatment of his only employee, Bob Cratchit. Then, one night while sleeping, Scrooge is awakened by the ghost of his long departed business partner, Bob Marley. Following Marley's visit, he is escorted by three ghosts of Christmas on a journey through his past, present and future. After realizing the error of his ways and seeing the lives of those less fortunate than himself, Scrooge is reformed. He awakens the following day and proves he has turned over a new leaf through acts of generosity that had never been seen of him before.