28 December
Dear Friends,
In Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to Mr. Fezziwig’s home for an annual Christmas ball. This scene exemplifies everything that Christmas represents, or has come to represent, through music, dancing, feasting, drinking, decoration, and celebration. Just by looking at the famous illustration by John Leech, one can sense the joy of Christmas, along with the warmth, togetherness, and opulence we associate with this time of year.
However, A Christmas Carol was not the only Christmas story that Dickens published. In a recent article, the BBC reminded readers of Dickens’ other “illustrations”: The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life, and The Haunted Man. In stark contrast to A Christmas Carol, these works depict much darker and more disturbing themes, including death, war, and abuse. As the journalist notes, they don’t appear very “Christmassy” at first glance.
In Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to Mr. Fezziwig’s home for an annual Christmas ball. This scene exemplifies everything that Christmas represents, or has come to represent, through music, dancing, feasting, drinking, decoration, and celebration. Just by looking at the famous illustration by John Leech, one can sense the joy of Christmas, along with the warmth, togetherness, and opulence we associate with this time of year.
However, A Christmas Carol was not the only Christmas story that Dickens published. In a recent article, the BBC reminded readers of Dickens’ other “illustrations”: The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life, and The Haunted Man. In stark contrast to A Christmas Carol, these works depict much darker and more disturbing themes, including death, war, and abuse. As the journalist notes, they don’t appear very “Christmassy” at first glance.
Instead of focusing solely on holiday celebrations, Dickens aimed to capture the true essence of Christmas ideals: selflessness, forgiveness, and advocacy for the poor and needy. This year, you might find it hard to relate to Mr. Fezziwig’s Christmas Ball. You may struggle to find reasons for celebration, joy, and merriment. Perhaps you have lost a loved one or a job, or you might be troubled by global conflicts. Maybe you feel intense loneliness or faced a difficult decision. You could simply be weary of the over-spending and superficial happiness that surrounds us during the holiday season. In light of this, Dickens’ other stories bring us back to reality—a reality where Christmas embodies not only the extravagant glamour of mainstream culture but also the harsh truths of our everyday lives.
Interestingly, Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol after being inspired by Field Lane Ragged School, one of the institutions for London’s street children. Initially, he intended to write a pamphlet addressing the plight of poor children, but he realized that a dramatic story would have greater impact. The plot was designed to inspire other selfish individuals, other Scrooges, to become more sympathetic toward the poor. Regardless, may the narrative of the Christmas story help reconnect us with its true essence.
Marius Louw