A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a novella from the early 19th century that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who undergoes a transformation after being visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and three spirits representing Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. This classic tale explores themes of compassion, redemption, and the true meaning of Christmas, encouraging readers to reflect on the importance of kindness and generosity.
In the opening, Scrooge is portrayed as a cold-hearted, greedy man who dismisses Christmas as “humbug.” The emphasis on Marley’s death highlights Scrooge’s detached character and isolated life. His cheerful nephew, Fred, invites him to a Christmas gathering, but Scrooge rejects the invitation, scorning the holiday spirit. Later, when two gentlemen request donations for the poor, Scrooge harshly refuses, displaying his cynical attitude toward charity. These scenes establish the bleakness of Scrooge’s life, setting up the pivotal moment when Marley’s ghost appears, initiating the transformative journey that lies ahead.

PREFACE
CHARACTERS

STAVE ONE. MARLEY'S GHOST
STAVE TWO. THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS
STAVE THREE. THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS
STAVE FOUR. THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS
STAVE FIVE. THE END OF IT