Griffin Speaks
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Charles
Dickens in 1843 financed the publishing of one of his most successful
Christmas books, “A Christmas Carol”. The book sold 6000 copies by
Christmas. However, Dickens earned very little money on the book because of
a pirate edition published by Lee and Haddock in January 1844. He sued them,
won and recovered no money because the company went out of business.
I
love “A Christmas Carol” because it has something in it for everyone: a
miser, ghosts, death, love, hate, and a cute child. The story is simple
enough for anyone to understand and appreciate, as it goes back and forth in
time reminding Scrooge about the misery and joy he’d once enjoyed, before
his vision was clouded by greed.
Three
ghosts visit Scrooge. They visit him on Christmas Eve to give him one last
chance to change his wicked and unforgivable ways. Christmas Past takes
Scrooge on a tour of his childhood, with the loss of his fiancée, and the
fine times he had with Mr. Fezziweg. He is then visited by Christmas Present
who shows Scrooge how his nephew, Fred, is celebrating the holidays. Lastly,
Christmas Yet to Come reveals to Scrooge the dire consequences he and the
Cratchit family will face if he doesn’t change his wicked and unforgivable
ways. Ebenezer Scrooge decides to change.
The
lesson Dickens teaches us through “A Christmas Carol” is powerful in the
lesson that even the worst of individuals can be transformed for the better.
Everyone can change! Do you want to make a change?
As
we approach the New Year (2005) let us examine ourselves and see if we need
to make a change. Is there something or someone in your life that you would
like to remove? Do you feel that something or someone is holding you back
from achieving your goals? Do you believe that life has passed you by?
Look
in the mirror and remember Charles Dickens tale and know that you can have a
complete transformation. Go for It!
Greg
Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by
visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com
