Complete Ghost Stories by Charles Dickens

He went on to write four other Christmas stories in subsequent years. The story was illicitly copied in January 1844 Dickens took legal action against the publishers, who went bankrupt, further reducing Dickens's small profits from the publication. Most critics reviewed the novella favourably. Published on 19 December, the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve by the end of 1844 thirteen editions had been released. There is discussion among academics as to whether this is a fully secular story, or if it is a Christian allegory. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a selfish man to redeem himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story. Dickens had written three Christmas stories prior to the novella, and was inspired following a visit to the Field Lane Ragged School, one of several establishments for London's street children. He was influenced by the experiences of his own youth and by the Christmas stories of other authors, including Washington Irving and Douglas Jerrold.

After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.ĭickens wrote A Christmas Carol during a period when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols, and newer customs such as cards and Christmas trees. A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas.ġ9 December 1843 179 years ago ( 19 December 1843)Ī Christmas Carol.

Complete Ghost Stories by Charles Dickens