‘Christmas Carol’ Inspires Introspection
Marley was dead: to begin with … This must be distinctly understood or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.”
Thus begins Dickens’ classic tale of transformation, “A Christmas Carol.” Published in 1843, this ghost story is as satisfying today as when it was first written. And it’s a story that should be read, rather than watched, at least once in a lifetime.
We’ve seen it on film repeatedly, with everyone from Alistair Sims to Mickey Mouse playing the lead role. The storyline is so familiar, most of us think we know it by heart. But beyond the sentimental fairytale of Tiny Tim and The Three Ghosts is a deeper, more thoughtful exploration of an old heart’s reluctant epiphany.
Most of us know at least the bare bones of the story: A sour old lemon, Ebenezer Scrooge, is visited by four spirits on Christmas Eve, each of whom gives Scrooge the opportunity to review, and possibly change, his life. The choice, however, is left to Scrooge. Personal choice. There’s the rub, for Scrooge and all of us.
The first spirit to appear is his dead-as-a-doornail business partner, Jacob Marley. Old Jacob is doomed to roam eternity dragging a chain of cash boxes, keys, padlocks and ledgers behind him. Marley admits he forged these burdens for himself in life by caring more for the business of money than of mankind. Jacob, the corporate raider. Still, Marley’s miserly heart is not beyond redemption. He’s hoping for a better eternity for his friend, Ebenezer.
Scrooge is momentarily grateful to his old friend, the way most of us are momentarily grateful to old friends who ask us to take a closer look at ourselves. But when Scrooge learns that his second chance hinges on having to deal with three old ghosts, Scrooge nixes the offer.
“I think I’d rather not,” says Scrooge.
The ghosts come anyway, as ghosts so often do. Who among us is not haunted by some specter of the past, some failing of the heart or mind or spirit? And when faced with the prospect of revisiting that failing, who among us might not respond as old Scrooge did? “I think I’d rather not.” Well, Scrooge, think again.
In his late-night spectral meanderings, Scrooge revisits the past, inhabits the present and foresees the shadow of his future. It’s a lot to accomplish in one night, but hardly impossible. Ask any insomniac on the verge of a major life crisis.
As Scrooge returns to the turning points in his life, we are offered glimpses of his wretched childhood, (signature Dickens), lonely youth and spiritually bankrupt adulthood. Like most of us, Scrooge has every reason to turn his heart to stone. And every reason not to. Besides the inarguable suffering in his life, there is also genuine solace.
We see young Ebenezer’s employer, Old Fezziwig, a man who really knows how to throw a Christmas party. We see Belle, the dowerless woman who loves Scrooge simply for himself. We see Fred, the nephew, who consistently offers his friendship despite Scrooge’s persistent rebukes. In turn, perhaps, we see all the people who have extended themselves to us in our lives and how we may have trivialized, misused or forgotten them.
Surely, Scrooge has forgotten. Forgotten love, forgotten joy, forgotten mercy. He’s even forgotten why he’s forgotten. Life, for Ebenezer, is a wasting disease. It also appears to be terminal.
That is, until he observes two people more outwardly wretched than himself: Tiny Tim, the crippled boy and Bob Cratchit, his poor and deservedly bitter father. But to Scrooge’s astonishment, Bob is not bitter and Tim is not defeated. Though lacking health, wealth and the means of improving their circumstances, Bob and his boy possess the key to human happiness: faith, hope and love. (Mrs. Cratchit also makes a mean pudding, which cannot be underestimated.)
True to human nature, however, Scrooge is not moved to change simply by his observations of others or even by his own regrets. It’s the sight of his future gravestone that brings him round to redemption. The thought of it all being over and having only this shriveled self to show for it is more than Scrooge can abide. An old man, he vows to live the rest of his life as a new one. The remarkable thing is, he does.
On this Christmas Eve, may we all be visited by the wise spirits of our past, present and future. May we vow to honor Christmas in our hearts and strive to keep it all the year. And may we, like dear old Scrooge, live to be better than our word.