Scrooges: Man’s Personal Power To Thwart God’s Plan Series

It is amazing how understanding a person and a historical event gives a different way of looking at history. I enjoy reality fiction, especially in movies. For example, “The Man Who Invented Christmas” appears to be a fantasy movie. It is reality fiction. The story tells how Charles Dickens came about to creating “A Christmas Carol” in 1843.

Two years after the success of Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) is suffering financial hardship from the failure of his last three books. Rejected by his publishers, he sets out to write a new book to restore his finances. Seeing inspiration around London, most notably a rich man's funeral that is largely unattended, he begins writing A Christmas Carol, due in six weeks in order to be published by Christmas. As Charles begins to develop his story, he interacts with the characters he is writing about, most notably Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer). Dickens is helped by one of his servants, Tara, an Irish immigrant who is literate and able to provide advice.

While writing his book, Charles is greeted by the arrival of his father, John Dickens (Jonathan Pryce), whom Charles views as immature and fiscally irresponsible. Charles' relationship with his family is increasingly strained as he struggles to finish the book in time, as he is unable to resolve Scrooge's story. Hearing that Charles intends to let Tiny Tim die, Tara suggests a resolution for Scrooge by having him save Tiny Tim instead. Charles rejects her help, and soon sends her away from his house in a fit of rage. Additionally, Charles has a falling out with his father and sends him away upon learning that he has been selling Charles' signature.

It is revealed that much of Charles' animosity towards his father is from his childhood embarrassment of working in a blacking factory after his family was taken to debtor's prison. Returning to the long-abandoned factory, Charles is forced to confront his own insecurities through Scrooge. Charles realizes that his story should be one of redemption, and races home to finish his manuscript. As he leaves to submit it to his illustrator, he encounters Tara, and invites her back. His wife suggests he do the same with his father, who is about to board a train to leave London. Reconnecting with his family, Charles submits the manuscript in time for publishing before Christmas. The film ends with the Dickens family celebrating the holidays, while a title text explains the overnight success of A Christmas Carol, and its lasting impact on the Christmas holiday.

As with any story, understanding the background is crucial. Charles Dickens was on the verge of giving up writing when he wrote The Christmas Carol. At this period of history, Christmas was a second-rate holiday in Great Britain. The rise of the Puritans in the mid-17th century squelched the holiday due to its background; previously it was a pagan festival and people would dress up in costumes, much like Mardi Gras.

Dickens typically enjoyed snowy Christmas days, providing a backdrop for his image of a white Christmas, a traditional image that lives on. During the time Dickens wrote the book, Queen Victoria brought a Christmas tree from Germany and slowly the festival became a time for family and celebration. Dicken’s father simply is characterized as the Scrooge. His father was known to be reckless with money; he was deeply in debt in order to live his extravagant lifestyle—living beyond his means. In a letter Dickens called his father a “jackass.” In 1840 Dickens sent his father and mother to Devonshire to keep him out of trouble; he went public saying he would no longer pay toward his father’s debts.

Ebenezer Scrooge appears to be a manifestation of Dicken’s father. Can you imagine what it would be like to watch this old favorite movie with Charles Dicken’s father?

“A Christmas Carol” was one of the inspirational factors that changed the way Christmas was viewed, in Great Britain and in America.

The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). It is a time of worship, often called Communion or Eucharist. The focus of the service is to remember that Jesus was God incarnate, died as an atonement for our sins, was resurrected, and promised we, too, will experience life abundantly and eternally. The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that could take place after sunset and prior to sunrise. Out of this Christians began to hold it at Midnight! This is where we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas.

Often the light shines the brightest when the darkness appears bleak and we feel weak and hopeless. This was the setting for the birth of Jesus. Understanding context helps us better understand the story line.

In the real Christmas story, we have our scrooges. In a book, movie script, and in real life they are called antagonist. Antagonist are often the most complex and fascinating characters. People often love them because it is a way for them to experience the fantasy of letting their scrooge take life. This is seen in most of the seek-and-destroy games people are playing.