A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens audiobook - Introduced by robot narrator Amy
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens audiobook - Introduction. First published in 1843 it tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Through these visits, Scrooge is shown the error of his ways and is transformed into a kinder, more generous person. The story is a classic example of the transformative power of kindness and redemption and has become a staple of the holiday season.
It's a great book but I prefer to watch the 1992 retelling of this story, The Muppet Christmas Carol with the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Michael Caine. There's also a real stand-out performance by Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit.
Anyway, you'll notice Dickens uses a strange name for chapters in this book. He calls them staves. The Navella is split into five staves. A stave is a set of five parallel lines on which a musical note is written. By referring to the chapters as staves, Dickens suggests that the novella will be a joyous, uplifting and moral tale.
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A Christmas Carol audiobook - FAQ
How long is A Christmas Carol audiobook?
This audiobook is 3 hours 54 minutes long.
What happens in each chapter of A Christmas Carol audiobook
Chapter 1: The story introduces the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy but miserly old man who hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the consequences of his greedy ways.
Chapter 2: The First of the Three Spirits - Scrooge is visited by the first ghost, the Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes him on a journey through his past to show him the kinder, more generous person he once was.
Chapter 3: The Second of the Three Spirits - The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the joy and togetherness of the Christmas holiday, as well as the suffering of those less fortunate.
Chapter 4: The Last of the Spirits - The final ghost, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, shows Scrooge a vision of his own death and the emptiness of his life, reminding him that it's never too late to change.
Chapter 5: The End of It - Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning a changed man, filled with kindness and generosity. He visits his nephew, makes amends with his employee, Bob Cratchit, and even joins in a Christmas feast. The story ends with Scrooge as a joyful, beloved member of the community.
Is A Christmas Carol difficult to read?
The 19th century language used by Charles Dickens in his works, including A Christmas Carol, can be considered challenging for some modern readers. The writing style from that period is characterized by long sentences with elaborate constructions, and the use of vocabulary and grammar that might no longer be in common use. For example, in A Christmas Carol, the following passage can be seen as difficult:
"Oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!"
This sentence is written in a highly descriptive and imaginative style, but the use of vocabulary and grammar might be confusing for some readers. Words like "wrenching," "scraping," and "clutching" are less common in modern English, and the sentence structure is complex.
What does Baa Humbug mean?
"Bah Humbug" is a phrase popularly associated with Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The phrase is used by Scrooge to express his disbelief and annoyance with the Christmas holiday and all its associated festivities.
In effect, "Bah Humbug" means "Christmas is nonsense," or "I don't believe in Christmas." It represents Scrooge's grumpy and cynical attitude towards the holiday and everything it stands for. Over time, the phrase has become synonymous with a general attitude of negativity towards Christmas and the holiday season.
What are the themes in A Christmas Carol?
- Redemption: The story follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a cold-hearted, miserly man to a generous and loving person, demonstrating the power of redemption and the possibility of change.
- The effects of poverty: The poverty and suffering of the Cratchit family and the poor of London serves as a reminder of the devastating effects of poverty and the need for charity and compassion.
- The importance of family and friends: The story highlights the value of family and friendship and the positive impact they have on our lives, especially during the holiday season.
- The value of kindness and generosity: The story stresses the importance of treating others with kindness and generosity, and the positive impact it can have on both the giver and receiver.
- The consequences of a life without love: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge the bleak future that awaits him if he continues on his current path, emphasizing the importance of living a life filled with love and compassion.