The origins of A Christmas Carol

Michael Slater explains the background to Charles Dickens's novel, A Christmas Carol, reveals his reasons for writing it and discusses its monumental success. Filmed at the Charles Dickens Museum, London.
Explore more films, together with thousands of Victorian and Romantic literary treasures, at the British Library's Discovering Literature website - www.bl.uk/discovering-literature.

[@AndrewEllisAndymanout]

Once a drunkard and today over a decade sober, I find the Christmas Carol a strikingly poinient tale of redemption. I intentionally resist watching it except at the end of June and repeatedly between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a singular work. I am grateful for it. God bless and may you have a love filled Christmas.

[@soulonice99]

God Bless Us All ... Every One

[@marwood1969]

@@trejea1754 Yes, yes, we know. A trifle pedantic if you don't mind me saying. The comment was heartfelt and almost poetic.

[@sartainja]

G-d bless you Andrew. Stay strong and focused.

[@sartainja]

Once had a manager who was a modern day, Scrooge. He made us go out and do federal tax enforcement actions on Christmas Eve at 4:00 PM. He was so stingy that he hoarded office supplies from us. He gave me a legal pad that was so old that paper mites had eaten holes in the sheets and your pen keep dropping into the hole. Just had to purchase my own supplies.

[@notyou9743]

@@sartainjamay he (stingy boss) be happy in the miserable life he has chosen.

[@marwood1969]

My dear Grandfather would read this every Christmas and now I do the same. We all know it so well, that it's easy to overlook just how brilliant it is. It's a beautiful story and strikes at my heart every time I read it.

[@wishgodgirl1903]

Best Christmas story ever. I watch as many versions as I can around the holidays. People don’t realize how many movies were made of this wonderful tale…

[@vintagebrew1057]

Mr Dickens was involved with many charitable endeavors here in the East End of London. He really was a wonderful person and great author!

[@s-1-d30]

we have to watch this as English homework whilst in quarantines

[@codyswinden5153]

yeahhhh same

[@davidakinyemi9720]

Same

[@bl1tzs490]

doing a 2 week isolation and I also have to.

[@gurleensadhana]

Lol I have this due tomorrow

[@fliptzy3x]

Yes

[@trojanette8345]

Best discussion, history and analysis of this story I have ever seen. Thank You British Library.

[@jemj.65]

This person speaks in such a magical way ✨❤️

[@alexandrucazacu6800]

Am i the only one who uses this for Homework?

[@sahira04]

Alexandru Cazacu no i am too

[@narsfy58]

@@sadyakhan5152 I am too

[@conlon4332]

My teacher had us watch it in class.

[@swagotoroy652]

One of the greatest books of Dickens - shows how we all can change for the better.

[@anitarichmond8930]

A Christmas Carol is an inspired piece of literature. A Masterwork, which no Library is complete without no less than a cautionary tale reminding the reader to have a care for what you do is as indelible as a name on a tombstone. Wishing you and yours The Season's best and may all God bless 🎄

[@yelloworangered]

Missed the initial moment. When the dead partner appears, it is not the chains that he drags forever that is the punishment. It is the inability to help others. Outside the window, we are shown many spirits wailing over the suffering persons whom they could they could have helped in life. This tells us the whole of Scrooge's escape. His partner moves back into his eternal punishment and is forgotten by the world that he never loved.

[@Warlanda]

@Katherine Rigmin's School interesting point.

[@sjw5797]

@Katherine Rigmin's School Was Marley in Purgatory or in Hell? I say Purgatory, because the souls in Hell don't care about helping people; in fact, they try to drag others into Hell with them. Converting Scrooge may have been the first step in the long road out of Purgatory for Marley. He did say that there were things he was not at liberty to reveal to Scrooge.

[@yelloworangered]

@@sjw5797 One can hope that Marley somehow was released from his torment, but I think it's a strength of the story that Dickens chose not to assure us of this release. By leaving it unresolved, he reinforced his message that our actions have consequences and developments beyond their immediate effect.

[@davidakinyemi9720]

Online homework during corona anyone ???

[@madgy]

David Akinyemi you in miss Moore’s class?

[@poopnose6934]

unfortunately

[@v36578]

Yup

[@jinao171]

sadly

[@timothyj1966]

thanks for uploading this - great little docu of one of best short literary classics!

[@josephel5856]

That story is timeless.

[@Mehlsuppe]

It truly is. It's a PERFECT story.

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

I agree but don’t fall asleep listening to it. You’ll have a lucid dream about it. The brain is active at the time. 😩😩😩😩⚠️⚠️⚠️

[@paulstewart6203]

The version starring Alastair Sims is my favorite.

[@robinj.9329]

I enjoy reading this out loud. For my whole family to enjoy!

[@AmiWhiteWolf]

Overall Christmas carol is a beautiful piece of literature.

[@juliewitt7496]

True.

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

Yea but don’t fall asleep listening to it. You’ll have a lucid dream 😴 about it. Your brain is active at this time. ⚠️⚠️😩😩😩

[@theamazingandtalentedblake8296]

Even more beautiful than the Bible

[@williamcornette]

Dickens was always one of my favorite authors, even as a child. The last thing any employer wants is to be compared in the press or on social media, to Scrooge. Keeps them from getting too arrogant! Can't get thru any of the movies without crying. Good for the soul!

[@chipperchops]

I love his work. Perhaps we all need to feel like children again? I always picture Christmas as a time of giving, loving and caring. It also has a message that isn't just one day we should be like this always if we can afford to. Money is nothing without health and love. We are so consumed with greed it really saddens me. whatever our religion, we should always love one another, we are humans and some forget that sometimes. However, ty for a wonderful documentary.

[@xvrays]

How true. Thank you Nicole for those kind words.

[@charlesroberts3650]

I personally consider it an auxiliary to the "Sermon on the Mount" if I may be so bold. "Blessed are the Meek" etc. "Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall receive Mercy" Redemption.

[@juliewitt7496]

You sound like "Fred."

[@karenryder6317]

@@charlesroberts3650 Yes the parts of the gospels that a former American president declared at a prayer breakfast that he didn't like.

[@teijaflink2226]

Yeah of course we should care about each other all the time but life can be very hectic so I think it's important that no matter religion or not that there's a time where we just stop, rest and think about love, giving and is there anyone you haven't had time to contact and check how they're doing. There can never be enough of love and caring.

[@jeffwarr11]

I loved the historical context which you provided to one of my favorite stories, of any season, of any era, of any Author. Thank you

[@goodlife6145]

That was fascinating. I wasn't aware of its origins and this brief documentary told the story exceptionally well.

[@brianqian4350]

from the comments this looks interesting, but I can't even watch this thing. Anyone doing this for homework or an assignment?

[@sorenpx]

Why can't you watch it? It's 12 minutes long. Not exactly a huge time commitment and it's about a classic piece of literature.

[@thisbushnell2012]

Dickens set out to change the world with his talent, and, though progress is exceeding slow, the seed has sprouted and has produced fruit. It is up to humanity to nurture it instead of the kudzu-like strangling vine of greed and prejudice.

[@karenryder6317]

I also wonder why you can't watch it. Perhaps you are not used to the lecture method of teaching. It has had a bad rap in modern education for some time but I think it has its place.

[@piscesx5603]

As I sit here in my dimly lit bedroom on Christmas Eve night, I love this well made documentary. Very informative and interesting. :-)

[@adamscarpetta9543]

And here we are exactly one year later! Merry Christmas!

[@stevenewart3873]

Pisces X watch...the man who invented Christmas

[@mikewolf417]

Dickens A Christmas Carol is his shortest work with the BIGGEST Impact of all his writings. Since 1843, the year he wrote A Christmas carol generations have enjoyed the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge's transformation from miser to repentant in one Christmas eve night. The idea of this story of the Ghost's of Christmas Past, Present and Future showing Scrooge his life in these 3 time frames truly is a masterpiece of literature as Dickens wanted to portray how London was at the time, cold, dirty and difficult for the common man. Over the past 176 years this timeless classic has brought great joy to the masses and I think it is safe to say 176 years from now people will still be reading and watching this story as it is as timeless as Christmas itself and as Tiny Tim said, "God Bless Us, Everyone."

[@supremestofslimes9595]

Ayy if you guys here from school, it's ya boy

[@samiraali5388]

yeahhh

[@codyswinden5153]

yeahhhh

[@LoganRobertson-wq5ly]

Yeah

[@YorkyOne]

Try again, but this time in English.

[@elise7407]

me rn lmao

[@1MSRAVENCLAW]

thank you so much that book did much to help at the time and even now " it cost nothing to be polite to someone". It did just what he wanted it to do, inform the masses!

[@tracytaylor5115]

The 1953 film starring Alastair Sim must have used the illustrations in this first edition book to design their costumes and settings. The illustration of the Ghost of Christmas Present looks almost exactly like the film version.

[@karenryder6317]

As good as the George C. Scott's version was, this Alistair Sims b&W version was so faithful to both the physical book and to Dicken's story.

[@Custardpoint948]

Agree and the best portrayal of the book

[@josephkent3238]

Great story on Christmas day, thank you

[@blockeontheleafeon]

And God Bless us, EVERYONE!!! :3

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

Yes. Don’t fall asleep listening to it.⚠️⚠️😩😩😩😔Lucid Dreams. The brain is active at this time.

[@lcflngn]

Apart from nostalgia the Fezziwigs are maybe a simple reminder that happy people can make others happy.

[@trevorgill8976]

Fantastic piece of literature, Love, sorrow, greed, time travel, all in one novel, perhaps the finest piece of writing ever in my opinion.

[@toastwelldunne]

A great seasonal tale, often copied, never yet bettered (although the Alister Simm film version skillfully adds the passing of his sister Fanny as the soul/heartbreaking trauma that starts Scrooges descent into misery). No time travel though, remembering the past yes, realisation of actual reality yes, recognising the possibilities and ramifications of events that might happen absolutely, but definitely no time travel. Spirits of Past and Present inform us and Scrooge that the demonstrated visions are naught but Shadows and mutual interaction is not possible.

[@underscore2708]

@@toastwelldunne i can't tell if your being serious or not lmao

[@thisbushnell2012]

a literary gem, bijou, diamante that defies an accurate descriptive from any language.

[@carlovignati7101]

A immortal masterpiece! My first name is the same of the Master...I'm very glad of that! Thanks for all Charles!!!!!

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing this.

[@isabelawhite7757]

Nice Christmas Carol song for you all happy beautiful Carol to you all

[@powerpc127]

I just underwent three ayahuasca ceremonies. The first showed me the error of my ways in the past, the second showed me a sense of true love for myself and my existence, and the third showed me the meaning of existence and everything and allowed me to love my life. I basically just experienced Scrooge's journey, and it felt great.

[@chasitydeanna4861]

Curious about your story; have you documented your experience on any social media platform?

[@powerpc127]

@@chasitydeanna4861 I kept a private journal, but this is about the only social platform I still use, so no. Feel free to ask questions here though.

[@maunster3414]

powerpc127, I'm very happy for you! Finding true love is wonderful beyond words and keeping a journal will help you stay connected to this love.

[@windstorm1000]

Fascinating. How fortunate and blessed you are. Is this a South American tribal ceremony.

[@windstorm1000]

You also found true power.

[@alneal100]

Very well presented.

[@woodsarthobbies6515]

It is sad that none of the theaters at that time volunteered on their own to pay Mr. Dickens a little something for his work. It was quite SCROOGE of them. This was a very interesting report.

[@brianexplores285]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@ajc2208]

I love A Christmas Carol.

[@healinggrounds19]

I am so excited to be directing "A Christmas Carol " for the third time in my directing career. It is one of my favorite stories.❤❤❤❤

[@joeb.fromsydneyaustralia5313]

Brilliant ... Thanks so much.

[@nozrep]

fascinating! Did not know any of that. Glad I clicked.

[@jayarajjohnson2476]

ONE OF THE GREATEST NOVELS EVER WRITTEN. JUST LOVE IT.

[@jackhartnell2795]

So inspirational

[@frankm.2850]

If you haven't seen the 1989 adaptation with Scott playing Scrooge, I highly recommend it. Scott's portrayal is amazing, and it also contains the most emotionally effecting, imho, portrayal of Tiny Tim. The young actor who plays Tim portrays a boy who's small for his age, gaunt, ashen faced and sickly. We see him walking once, when he goes to meet his father at the counting house, but he's clearly struggling in the snow and maybe even in some small degree of pain. Every other time he has to move he's carried by his father or siblings. This only makes the end where he runs out to meet Scrooge that much more beautiful, as this is clearly a young boy who's delighted to be able to run and play again. It's impossible to know what Timothy Cratchit suffered from, given the nature of fictional characters, but given Dickens' description, and the time period, Rickets and Tuberculosis seem likely, both of which were debilitating, but curable at the time. His line delivery occasionally leaves something to be desired, but the physical portrayal is absolutely heart rending.

[@davidcarothers3311]

Wow!! So Well Said!! Merry Christmas...

[@rbttube1]

It's 1984 movie.

[@jimmytaylor1570]

Doesn't matter how he came to write it. What matters most is, it's touching lives today!

[@sarahmoviereviewer4109]

I play this at Christmas when I'm at my grandmother's

[@mellamoskippy7948]

Cool

[@jamesshielssoberlife.3701]

I think the story resonates with people who get sober also. I just got to eight and a half years sober. Scrooge actually changed his brain perception of things, once he got shown a taste of how his life was going downhill.

[@michaeljones-qy5wj]

My absolute favourite story of all time

[@lilcicero77]

excellent. And Slater is himself a very modest and benevolent man.

[@carolsecret7517]

This could be called Rothschild....repent like Scrooge, Rothschild and Rockefeller!

[@barbaralyons3978]

I am Jewish, but I love this story. It is very moving.

[@extramile150]

wonderful

[@itkapatanka]

wonderful thanks I would have enjoyed another hour...!

[@racheltaylor6578]

The name Scrooge comes from a gravestone in the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.The man was called Ebenezer Scroggie.The inscription read.He was a meal man(corn merchant).Dickens thought the inscription read he was a mean man.

[@YorkyOne]

There is no evidence for this assertion.

[@colleenhonderich1598]

@@YorkyOne no, but it's a great little anecdote!

[@evanlohning]

thank you

[@narsfy58]

what is the back round music kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYWrcoFplLVqq6c

[@BryanMardis]

is there anywhere I could get a replica of this exact book?

[@QED_]

Search for "A Christmas Carol First Edition Facsimile". KZbin won't allow me to offer any examples here -- it would be flagged as spam . . .

[@christopherclayton7688]

Very good documentary, not understanding why there's a lot of dislikes

[@MsLegenza]

Christopher Clayton Because he’s telling the story that we already know instead of more interesting facts about Charles dickens.

[@maryrichards157]

@@MsLegenza It is titled as the development of the story, not of the author. Some people just don't bother to read, I guess.

[@karenryder6317]

I think it's because people aren't used to a lecture format of teaching and miss that it does have its place as a means of teaching--it just shouldn't be the sole method.

[@kevinmitchell2074]

Informative

[@occidentadvocate.9759]

Charles Dickens. Genuis!

[@MultiSirens]

Interesting your view? However that being said,I watched another program that disputes the date, he has it as the 19 of December coming out. And his publisher wanted something so Dickens scribbled off this tale to satisfy the said publisher? Who is correct?

[@Mistfall254]

So the entire tome is a metaphor interesting

[@robertleonard4995]

It was written in Boston as he was visiting America. At the omni Parker house, and read at an underground Boston theater for the first time....

[@windstorm1000]

No. Written in London

[@evangelinamurray147]

Written in Italy

[@YorkyOne]

@@evangelinamurray147 London.

[@sav7568]

It would have been impossible to write that book anywhere but London. It could not have been published in time for Christmas otherwise. The whole project was very rushed which is why the book is so thin.

[@richardranke7878]

Someone once said to me that she knew people who were unaware that many Christmas stories were books before they were movies.She named many well-known stories-and when she even named A Christmas Carol,my reaction was;"The Dickens You Say!"

[@AegisNova]

Well played.

[@Prancer1231]

The ignorance of most people today is appalling. I'm sure there are many who don't know that the "Nativity Story" is from the Bible.

[@YorkyOne]

@@Prancer1231 Give over!

[@Ad-Infinitum]

Is that a first edition or an early edition of A Christmas Carol?

[@judyjing7980]

For some reason got this video for music class

[@GreenHornet1962]

Why must there always be music and why must it always be so loud? I can only understand part of what is being said.

[@soslothful]

This presentation would be much better without piano music.

[@markross2124]

Good analysis but also the part of him interacting with his nephew

[@nieverainmaker384]

Laughter layers

[@colinp2238]

Mr Slater makes a mistake here - Scrooge was visited by four ghosts not three, Marley and the three Christmas spirits.

[@ohger1]

Marley was a ghost, the rest were spirits. Not interchangeable

[@karenryder6317]

@@ohger1 what's the difference? Both are supernatural beings and their existance has never been validated by evidence.

[@lawmaker22]

Is there better day than Christmas in year? I dont think so... Thanks to Jesus ofcourse, Charles Dickens and other victorians and all writers of beautiful christmas songs

[@redeemedandblessed]

Well said! Hope you have a blessed Holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas. May God bless you and bring you a happy New Year!

[@ant7936]

Good talk, but do we really need the muzak?

[@philipinchina]

Very good. It would be improved by removal of the background music.

[@lavenderflowersfall280]

Christmas in July!

[@525Lines]

The reason books from this period are so cheaply bound is because people were expected to have them bound in leather. I've seen earlier bindings even cheaper. Some of Dickens' works were even sold chapter by chapter like pamphlets. They would later be bound as a complete book.

[@michellebyrom6551]

Many of his novels were written in serialised form to go into The Pickwick Papers, of which Dickens was the editor. He was paid by the word count so wrote lengthy descriptions of people and places. Those instalments could then be gathered into a single volume.

[@angelawho9083]

@#IndyAnapolis?

[@jeromemckenna7102]

They didn't use the term then but in marketing terms it was a 'loss leader'.

[@MrMick50]

Best Christmas movie ever A Christmas Carol with Alester Simms

[@rdvqc]

A discussion with Christmas Present often missed. It regards the forced closing of the bakers on Sunday that the poor used to roast meats. “Spirit,” said Scrooge, after a moment’s thought, “I wonder you, of all the beings in the many worlds about us, should desire to cramp these people’s opportunities of innocent enjoyment.” “I!” cried the Spirit. “You would deprive them of their means of dining every seventh day, often the only day on which they can be said to dine at all,” said Scrooge. “Wouldn’t you?” “I!” cried the Spirit. “You seek to close these places on the Seventh Day?” said Scrooge. “And it comes to the same thing.” “I seek!” exclaimed the Spirit. “Forgive me if I am wrong. It has been done in your name, or at least in that of your family,” said Scrooge. “There are some upon this earth of yours,” returned the Spirit, “who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.” Scrooge promised that he would; and they went on, invisible, as they had been before, into the suburbs of the town. It was a remarkable quality of the Ghost (which Scrooge had observed at the baker’s), that notwithstanding his gigantic size, he could accommodate himself to any place with ease; and that he stood beneath a low roof quite as gracefully and like a supernatural creature, as it was possible he could have done in any lofty hall.

[@lessapp3745]

did they muss?

[@prettytse7762]

2021///

[@user-nj1tu3kx5w]

hi

[@LoganRobertson-wq5ly]

Bru I gotta do this for my gCSEs

[@honeycombc]

Someone please take notes on this. Then send them to me.

[@mellamoskippy7948]

No

[@laneyyoung682]

why does he never mention that his name is Ebeneezer Scrooge not just Scrooge

[@dodaz9709]

Anyone else in wise's class?

[@Canuckmom128]

Such an enigma, that he could write such a cautionary tale, and yet he was not exactly a "nice" guy. In fact, he was a bit of an abusive bully to his wife, and grew worse with age. The woman had an incredible constitution for that time - almost too good, as he managed to keep her pregnant for most of her 20s and early 30s and she didn't die. Her younger sister, Mary lived with them, and Dickens liked to tell his peers AND his poor wife that Mary was his ideal woman. When Mary died very suddenly, Dickens' wife had a miscarriage, and he all but blamed her. By the time she was 40, fat and older than her years after bearing all his children, he had fallen for some 18 yr. old actress, and separated from his wife, forcing her from the family home and separating her from her children. He couldn't divorce her because she had not committed adultery. When Dickens was 12 his Father was thrown into debtor's prison and he was sent to work at a "Blackening" company, pasting labels on jars for 10 to 12 hours a day. For some peculiar reason, he blamed his Mother for this, and I think the trauma and shame gave him something close to PTSD. As this Prof. mentions, the Christmas Past scene of being alone and left behind in school at Christmas is a reference to his childhood. Old CD couldn't quite see the Forrest for the trees, and his poor wife bore the brunt of it.

[@justtruth5855]

He also wanted to keep the slave trade of that time.

[@windstorm1000]

I don't think Dickens quite exercised his demons. He was able to do in his art but not in his life.

[@YorkyOne]

@@justtruth5855 I think you should change your name to 'just lies'. Dickens was firmly against American slavery and spoke out against it on many occasions.

[@katg109]

I realize this is a comment to a 2 y/o observation but couldn’t resist. I had heard about how he treated his wife later in life. He seems to have been able to look upon sins of a distance with more accuracy than those closer to him. We can rationalize anything. The heart is deceitful above all things.

[@soslothful]

What would 15 shillings be in 2017 wages?

[@CIMAmotor]

75 new pence.

[@buyerbware25]

I can't say exact currency, but then, it would have been slightly more than what would have been paid to a teenage apprentice.

[@dodsss]

Josh Kerr is a Buckle

[@charles-etiennethibeault8304]

bg

[@c0l3r4z9]

Napoli💙

[@DollarEuro_]

7-6 (d.c.r)

[@janiebarker2687]

♡

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

I listened to this audio book about Christmas Carol. I fell asleep and had a lucid dream about Ebenezer Scrooge. Don’t do that. It’s a warning ⚠️. Don’t fall asleep listening to an audio book. Your brain is active at this time. 😩

[@angelawho9083]

@#Pathos?

[@kilowhiskeyalpha6078]

Not sure what the Novel had to do with child exploitation. More likely this was a commentary on the insidious money lending business, Dickens father was imprisoned for debt which had a profound psychological effect upon him. The theme of debtors ran quite strongly through his work including Little Dorrit, The Pickwick Papers and David Copperfield. The business of Scrooge and Marley was quite obviously money lending given the origin of their names Ebenezer and Jacob belonging as they do to a certain faith.

[@abdulrahmanmakinde2174]

real.

[@fasbc]

Come join us at "The Incomparable Sim ~ The Alistair Sim Fan Group". It is a brand new page dedicated to by all accounts the very best Ebenezer Scrooge.

[@justinchow7062]

who is brought here by online homework?

[@flamelily2086]

Charles Dickens had to get a job at the age of 12 when his father was incarcerated in debtors prison, so he was also writing from personal experience.

[@galimirnund6543]

It's a good story even without a religion....

[@dayzeereyes128]

It wasn't for the working class though he made it for the wealthy to see the error in their ways.

[@karenryder6317]

good point.