In my English class, we read one of the most famous stories that Charles Dickens has ever written. This story is called A Christmas Carol. A Christmas Carol is about a very greedy and selfish person named Ebenezer Scrooge. In the story, Scrooge goes on a journey through time to get taught important lessons that would hopefully change him for the better. While reading this story, I had fun reading about Scrooge’s character development and the hidden meanings in the text.

Early in the story, we learn that Scrooge had a business partner who died named Jacob Marley. Later, Scrooge is visited by Marley’s ghost who warns Scrooge that if he doesn’t change for the better, he will be miserable after death. Marley also tells him that the only way that he can be saved is if he follows the teachings of three different spirits that will visit him. The first spirit that visits Scrooge is named the Ghost of Christmas Past, who reminds Scrooge of things that have happened in his past. The next spirit is named the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows Scrooge visions of people who are celebrating Christmas with others. The final spirit that visits Scrooge is named the Ghost of Christmas Future. The Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge things that will happen in the future if he doesn’t change for the better. After he gets visited by all three spirits he wakes up on Christmas day to change his fate. 

As I read through this story it is easy to see Ebenezer Scrooge’s character development. It made the reading experience more fun as Scrooge changed from a horrible and greedy person at the start of the book to a generous person. I also enjoyed finding the hidden meanings inside the text Charles Dickens wrote. In many pages, there is a hidden meaning in the text that teaches Scrooge a lesson, which is fun to find.

Overall, A Christmas Carol is a fun book to read. My favorite part about it was seeing the character development of Scrooge. At the beginning of the story, he demonstrates how he’s a selfish and greedy person who only cares about money. Then, he turned into the complete opposite person. I highly recommend this story to others since it is a fun book to read while in the Christmas spirit.

-Matthew R.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol–along with every variation–is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.