(I have a busy week next week, so I'm posting this just a couple of days early, but discussions will be open until the 10th as usual.)
So what did you think of A Christmas Carol?
I must admit that this short of a book was perfect for my Decemeber. The plan of reading it to my kids however, turned into reading them the Childrens', Great Illustrated Classic, edition. It was too much for the little ones. They all loved it, however, and I enjoyed watching them laugh at the changes Scrooge went thru in the end.
If I'm being perfectly honest, I find Dickens to be a little overly descriptive. When it speaks of the Ghost of Christmas Present surrounded by food, I could have just been told that there was turkey and drinks and lots of fruit. I don't need to know how golden the skin was and the exact discription of how it smelled. I found myself more skimming over those parts than reading them.
I was actually surprised at how little Tiny Tim was mentioned. He was definitely a part of the story, but it seems to me like the movies always put more emphasis on him.
I loved the book though. It was a perfect addition to my Christmas reads. I love the change in Scrooge, the Spirit of Christmas, and the message that it's never too late to change.
I hope that all of you had a WONDERFUL holiday season!!! Please leave your thoughts on A Christmas Carol and take time to vote for February's book on the side bar. I hope you enjoy The Scarlet Letter this month.
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15 comments:
Growing up, A Christmas Carol was as much a part of Christmas for me as the carols that you actually sing. I remember very well being able to go with my family to the local theater to see it performed live, as well as countless opportunities to see movie versions of it. I don't think a single Christmas has gone by in my life without a visit from Scrooge and Tiny Tim. My father loves this story. Perhaps at least in part because of that, I love it, too.
Every time I read this story I seem to notice new things. Lately, for example, I've been starting to realize more of the symbolism related to the ghost of Christmas present. In particular, the references to him having nearly 2000 brothers and sisters (the previous years' Christmases), the reason he, unlike the other ghosts, grows old (since his existence is connected to a single day) and the reason he is so forgetful (he lives only in the present). I also found the description of the ghost of Christmas past to be interesting this time, with the descriptions of how its form changes continually, giving impressions, but also playing tricks on the eyes. It was fun to think of that description in connection to how memories work for me -- they, too, are often a bit fuzzy on details and somewhat changeable.
I always enjoy the way this book ends. This time, I was appreciative to Dickens for one thing in particular: When Scrooge undergoes his change of heart, he changes his fate with love and service, rather than by just giving away money. Note, for example, that "to Tiny Tim ... he was a second father." That means so much more to me than that "he paid all the medical bills." It's wonderful to see a book extolling the idea that life's greatest problems need better solutions than just to throw money at them. It is, of course, obvious that Scrooge would have used financial resources to help. I like to think, though, that just as you can't buy your way to heaven, Scrooge had to put in a fair amount of service, love and true empathy (what a change!) to undo the chains that were preparing to bind him.
As much as I love this book, I still have a hard time reading Dickens. I'd love to say that he is one of my favorite authors, but I can't. I think his stories are phenomenal, but I also think he rambles too much. As a case in point, the book begins with his rather out of place musings on whether or not "dead as a coffin nail" should be a preferable phrase to "dead as a doornail." Tangents like that, I believe, could have been left out without any detrimental affect on the book.
Oh, I love what you said about the ending. I agree, he did do more than throw money. I hadn't thought about it that much, but I agree with everything you said there. That's a wonderful observation.
This is actually the first time I have ever read this book. I've heard the story of course, but it was great to read the book and I believe it is something I will read every Christmas season in the future.
One of my favorite quotes was from Marley. He said "The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!" The purpose of our lives is not to make a lot of money or to obtain a lofty profession. Marley said "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business." That is what should be the focus of our lives. Reaching out, serving, and loving others is the true business of our lives. There is always so much that we can do to help others, and I don't think that we can ever do all that there is to do. "Any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness."
I also liked the attitude of Scrooge's nephew. He told Scrooge "there are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited." There are many good things in this life that are not associated with gain or money. Christmas is especially a time when we can share and feel good friendship, love, and charity. Scrooge later realizes this when he is with the Ghost of Christmas Past. As he watches the party that Fezziwig has, the Spirit asks him what was so special about the party. Fezziwig obviously didn't spend much money on it, so why did he deserve so much praise? Scrooge finally realized what made Fezziwig a good man "He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count 'em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune." Scrooge then realizes that he needs to treat his clerk better. I really think this applies to me as a parent. The way I talk to my children can make a great influence in their lives. I have the ability to make their childhood a "pleasure or a toil", and I don't need tons of money to create good memories and teach my children good lessons.
The good news for Scrooge is that he can change. He realizes that if he changes the course of his life, he can also alter the end. He chooses to "honour Christmas in [his] heart, and try to keep it all the year." The transformation he makes is amazing, and it brings so much joy into his life as he reaches out and helps others. He becomes "as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew." That is what brought happiness to his life at last, and that is what can make each of us happy. As we reach out to those around us, and try to influence their lives for good, we will be blessed with joy beyond measure.
Mr. Mordecai,
Thank you for the insight into the symbolism of this book. With it being my first time reading it, I didn't really think much about the symbolism. It adds a lot to the story and the meaning to understand those things!
Amy, I think you just converted me to the ways of writing in my books. I loved the quotes you pointed out but had forgotten them by the time I did my posts.
And thank you for your insight on how we can apply Scrooges lesson to our own lives even with our children. I couldn't agree more and it's a reminder that I needed.
I love quotes from books! If I own the book I usually highlight the stuff that sticks out, otherwise I won't remember it. It's also so much easier for me to use a quote from a book, rather than trying to put it into my own words.
Exciting news! Shimmy Mom, after you wrote about your emotions as you read Jane Eyre for the first time, remember how I lamented not being able to have that first-time thrill for myself? Well, I have discovered a way to recapture that thrill almost entirely! READ IT ALOUD TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER READ IT THEMSELVES! In this case, my chilren!
Like Mr. Mordecai I have seen A Christmas Carol performed on the stage so many times, I don't remember ever NOT knowing this story. My children have not had this opportunity. So, as I read aloud, I used the best voice I could muster for each character. Oh my! By the time I bellowed Marley's, "Business! Mankind was my business...", I had my 6yo in tears...but she wouldn't leave the room! And my 12yo son reacted throughout to the spookiness, like when all the bells in the house began ringing. I am so familiar with A Christmas Carol, I forgot - IT IS A GHOST STORY. And when the plot is totally unknown, it is SPOOKY!
Even knowing the ending, by the time I reached it, I was so moved by Scrooge's transformation I could hardly speak. The joy and hope and love all caught in my throat.
As Mr. Mordecai and Shimmy Mom both mentioned, a few times Dickens' wordiness really made me laugh...especially reading it aloud. I too noticed the "dead as a coffin nail" paragraph. There were several places where my son and I just smiled at each other and said "Dickens - Gotta love him".
One aspect of this story that interested me more this time was conversion. I noticed Scrooge's stony heart at the beginning, then how he actively fought against his doubts, followed by the agony of his fears while his mind was still so unsettled, then brokenness and humility, and finally the JOY.
Relating to conversion I was struck by the light on the head of the Ghost of Christmas Past. (I like your thoughts Mr. Mordecai about the Ghost's appearance relating to the indistinct, fuzzy way we remember the past.) In conversion, the struggle to accept a new belief is often frightening. One part wants to stop doubting, stop examining and just put a cover over the light of new truth and go back to life as it used to be. But once our heart/mind/soul has understood a certain amount of truth, we cannot go back, we cannot extinguish the light.
Amy, I appreciate your thoughts about the power of a mother to influence her children and fill their lives with good and happy memories.
Oh, and Mr. Mordecai, I'm guessing you did NOT vote for Dicken's Bleakhouse in February!
Sharon in KY
Sharon,
I love your analogy about the light. It really applies to my "conversion" to homeschooling. Sometimes I get a little stressed out and would love to "cover that light" and go back to the way things used to be, because it seems like it would be so much easier.
But, I know that I can't extinguish the light of truth and understanding that I have recieved regarding my children's education, and the path my family is meant to take.
This analogy really gave me some encouragment, so thank you!! :)
Amy,
Actually, I haven't voted yet :-)
I can't quite decide whether I'd rather read Bleakhouse or Moby Dick. I think either one would probably be an excellent choice. I also think that either one will be a more challenging read than what I typically focus on in my spare time: Newbery award winners.
I really don't intend to demean Dickens much. I believe there is a good reason he is considered to be one of the best writers of all time; the plots and depth of his writing are incredible. As I mentioned, I really enjoy his stories.
The only thing I meant to point out is that, for me, Dickens is one of those rare cases where I would actually consider the possibility that a condensed version might be more enjoyable. For any other author, I would consider that nigh unto desecration.
Mrs. Mordecai and I have actually discussed Dickens quite a bit between us. For us, it's interesting to remember that he came from a very different era in writing. Unlike authors today, his books weren't released all at once; they were published in installments. Readers could only get their hands on a piece of the story at a time. So, it actually makes sense that he would have so many little sub-plots and minor character developments in the middle of the book, because, in that piece, it would have been like it's own little story.
As far as Dickens is concerned, A Christmas Carol is an exception. I find it to be a relatively easy read, but I can also recognize Dickens' innate nature in the way the book is written. Between it and The Life of Our Lord, I think we can find not only some of Dickens' writing that is easiest to read, but possibly also two of his greatest masterpieces.
(Sorry, that last note should have been addressed to Sharon, not Amy.)
Mr. Mordecai,
I do understand that you don't in any way despise Dickens. I was, I suppose, just trying to be cute with my comment about how you'll vote.
I enjoy Newbery winners as well. For Christmas my sister-in-law gave my son The Giver by Lois Lowry. I sat down with that book on New Year's Eve and finished it 30 minutes into New Year's Day. I still find myself thinking about the story and questions it raised.
Sharon in KY
Sharon,
The Giver is an excellent book. In case you're interested, it's actually a (pseudo) trilogy. The other books in the series are Gathering Blue and Messenger.
Trilogy is an unusual word for the series, though, because in Gathering Blue is based on a completely separate community with very different rules and circumstances and there aren't any overlapping characters. More than a sequel, it's a continuation of Lois Lowry's thoughts on dystopian societies. In Messenger, Jonas shows back up again.
Of the three, though, I still liked The Giver the most.
Mr. Mordecai,
Thank you. I did not know Lowry wrote other related stories. They will go on my library list.
Also, love the word dystopia - opposite of utopia I presume - though I've never heard it used...until now. Thank you again for a new word.
Hmmm. Could one person's utopia ever be another person's dystopia? Or are utopias alway full of freedom and peace? If our imagined perfect world is so full of freedom, why do we, the globe over, so often choose "security" over freedom? I suppose it often happens that a powerful man or body of men want to "secure" others for their own benefit.
I apologize for cluttering up the discussion area for A Christmas Carol.
Sharon in KY
Sorry I've been missing for a couple of days. We had a small emergency at my house, but now that I have a minute it has been so fun to read the thread of comments.
Sharon, I am so excited that you got to relive the joy through your children. That was probably my favorite part of reading the book too.
And don't ever apologize for taking something off topic. I think we are all in this to not only share our feelings about this months book, but to get ideas for others and share our ideas about how different ones tie together.
Thanks so much for all of you comments and input. I am having so much fun with this.
Happy Reading!!
I admit, I've been checking the site all day wondering how Shimmy Mom would resolve this tie.
As the willing adoptive parent of this site, I suggest Shimmy Mom that your vote count double. You decide and I will agreeably read along with you.
Just my thoughts,
Sharon in KY
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