Twinkling lights, chilly nights, beautifully wrapped gifts, and tall decorated evergreen trees are just a few of the images that come to mind when one thinks about the Christmas season. In some parts of the world, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a blanket of white snow on the ground. In other places,it is about church services and silent prayers. Christmas is one of the major holidays around the world because it has become much more than a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. t has become a time for joy and togetherness no matter what your religion may be or where you arelocated. Throughout literature, countless Christmas stories have talked about the magic of Christmas and its meaning in people’s lives. However, few of them are as famous and well-loved as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
First published in December of 1843, A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, 1)greedy businessman who has no time for charity for anyone. The perfect example of this is the relationship Scrooge has with his employee, Bob Cratchit. Although Cratchit is a kind, soft-spoken, and loyal man, Scrooge treats him with impatience and cold-heartedness.
Dickens was inspired to write A Christmas Carol for several reasons including the new-found popularity with old Christmas traditions, especially those found in the writings of Washington Irving. Dickens’ troubles while growing up were another source, which mainly helped shape Ebenezer Scrooge’s character. The third major inspiration was the 2)plight of the poor, particularly poor children. In some ways,Dickens hoped that the coming together for Christmas 3)festivities could create more harmonybetween the social classes.
The plot of A Christmas Carol is a transforming journey. On the night before Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge is warned that he will be visited by three spirits. Although 4)startled by the vision, Scrooge dismisses it and goes to bed. Not long after, Scrooge is woken up by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who reminds him of the young man he used to be. Scrooge remembers with joy the people he loved and the fun he used to have.
The second spirit is the Ghost of Christmas Present. This spirit takes Scrooge to the home of Bob Cratchit, where he finds the Cratchit family very poor but very kind. Scrooge takes a special interest in Cratchit’s youngest son, Tiny Tim, who has a big heart and 5)boisterous spirit despite being crippled. The final spirit is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Scrooge sees the death of Cratchit’s young son. He also sees his own passing, and no one cares or has a kind word to say about him. Terrified and ashamed, Scrooge wakes up to find it is Christmas morning. He immediately sets out to change his ways and future, beginning first with Bob Cratchit and his family.
Scrooge’s journey from 6)miser to 7)Samaritan gives spotlight to the true meaning most people attach to Christmas. It’s not about how rich you are in possessions, but how rich you are in love and family. Undoubtedly, this is the reason A Christmas Carol has stood the test of time and will hold a special place in thehearts of all for many years to come.
闪烁的灯光、寒冷的夜晚、包装精美的礼物，以及有着装饰点缀的高耸常青树，当我们想到圣诞节假期时，这些只是我们脑海中会浮现的其中几个景象而已。在世界上的某些地方，圣诞节如果地上没有覆盖一层白雪就称不上是圣诞节。而在某些其他地方，圣诞节则是上教堂做礼拜和安静祈祷的节日。圣诞节是世界上最重要的节日之一，因为它已变成不仅仅是庆祝耶稣诞生的基督教节日而已。不论你信仰什么宗教或住在哪里，它已经成了欢乐和团聚的日子。纵览文学作品，无数的圣诞节故事都谈到圣诞佳节的魅力和它在人们生命中的意义。不过，很少有故事像查尔斯•狄更斯的《圣诞颂歌》那样著名并深受喜爱。
《圣诞颂歌》的初版于1843年12月发行，它讲述了一个贪婪的生意人埃比尼泽•史库奇的故事。史库奇是一个吝于付出时间为别人做点好事的人。这一点可以从他与他的员工鲍勃•克雷契的关系看出来。虽然克雷契是一个善良、说话温柔且又忠实的人，史库奇对他却很没耐心又很冷酷。
狄更斯创作《圣诞颂歌》的灵感得自于几个原因，包括当时圣诞节旧传统的新流行，尤其是华盛顿•欧文作品当中所描述的。狄更斯成长过程中所遭遇的烦恼是他另一个灵感来源，这主要帮助他塑造史库奇的个性。第3个重要的灵感来源是穷人(特别是穷人家的孩子)面对的困境。在某些方面，狄更斯希望人们齐聚欢祝圣诞节的同时，能在社会不同阶级中创造更和谐的氛围。
《圣诞颂歌》的情节是一次转变的旅程。圣诞夜当晚，埃比尼泽•史库奇被警告会有3个鬼魂来拜访他。这个幻象虽然吓到了史库奇，但他不予理会，仍旧上床睡觉。不久，“过去的圣诞节鬼魂”吵醒了史库奇，这个鬼魂让史库奇想起自己年轻的时候。史库奇回忆着过去他所爱的人和一些开心的事，心里充满喜乐。
第二位来的是“现在的圣诞节鬼魂”。这个鬼魂带着史库奇来到鲍勃•克雷契的家，史库奇发现克雷契家里很穷，但他们一家人都非常善良。史库奇对克雷契最小的儿子小提姆特别感兴趣，尽管他跛脚，却是个心胸宽大又活力四射的孩子。最后一个来的是“未来的圣诞节鬼魂”。史库奇看到克雷契小儿子之死。他也看到了自己的死亡，没有人在乎，也没有人说他的好话。史库奇感到既惊恐又羞愧，等他醒来后已经是圣诞节的早晨了。他马上着手开始改变待人的方式和他自己的未来，而头一站是到鲍勃•克雷契的家里。
史库奇从守财奴变成慈善家的历程，点出了大多数人赋予圣诞节的真正意义。那与你拥有多少财产无关，而与你在爱和家庭当中的富有程度相关。无疑地，这也是《圣诞颂歌》能够经得起时间考验的原因，在未来许多年它仍将在所有人心中占有一席之地。
1) greedy (a.) 贪婪的
2) plight (n.) 困境
3) festivity (n.) 欢庆，庆典
4) startle (v.) 使吓一跳
5) boisterous (a.) 活跃的，喧闹的
6) miser (n.) 守财奴，吝啬鬼
7) Samaritan (n.) 撒马利亚人，乐善好施者
