"Marley was dead, to begin with." With those six words, Charles Dickens invited us into the world ofA Christmas Carol, indelibly introducing us to Ebenezer Scrooge, the three ghosts of Christmas, Tiny Tim, and a full cast of memorable characters. Though he spent mere weeks writing it, Dickens' novella about the original Christmas grinch has been a holiday staple for nearly two centuries, giving rise to countless adaptations for stage and screen. It was such an immediate hit, that barely a month after its debut, Dickens was embroiled in a legal fight against a publishing company that had printed pirated copies.
In the spirit of the season, here are 10 things you may not know about the Christmas classic, including its original title, what happened to the original handwritten draft, and a rather famous American author who was not at all a fan.
Did you know…A Christmas Carolwas just one of several Christmas-themed storieswritten by Charles Dickens. The novella’s full title isA Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas.
Did you know…Dickens wroteA Christmas Carolin just six weeks, under financial pressure. Reportedly Dickens wrote the story while taking hours-long nighttime walks around London.
Did you know…A Christmas Carolwas first published on December 19, 1843, with the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By 1844, the novella had gone through 13 printings and continues to be a robust seller more than 175 years later.
Did you know…Dickens didn't make very much money from early editions ofA Christmas Carol. Though it was a runaway best seller, Dickens was very fastidious about the endpapers and how the book was bound, and the price of materials took a big chunk out of his potential profits.
Did you know…Like many of Dickens’ other works,A Christmas Carolwas written as a work of social commentary. Dickens had a lifelong devotion to helping the underserved due to his own family’s experiences with debtors prison, which forced him to drop out of school as a boy and work at a factory. As Dickens’ biographer Michael Slater described, the author thought ofA Christmas Carolas a way to, “help open the hearts of the prosperous and powerful towards the poor and powerless…."
Did you know…Upon publishing the first edition ofA Christmas Carol, Dickens had his 66-page heavily revised handwritten manuscript bound in crimson leather and decorated in gilt before gifting it to his friend—and creditor—Thomas Mitton, whose name was also inscribed on the cover in gilt. You can see a digital copy of the manuscript on the Morgan Library and Museumwebsite.
Did you know…The Internet Movie Database lists more than 100 versions ofA Christmas Carol,including a video game, a 1908 short starring Tom Ricketts (an English actor who also reportedly directed the first movie ever shot in Hollywood), and the 2015 TV-movieA Christmas Carol and Zombies.
Did you know…There are more than 20 TV shows that have used Dickens’ classic as fodder for episodes, includingSanford and Son,The Six Million Dollar Man,Family Ties,Suite Life on Deck,The Jetsons, andDuck Tales.
Did you know…There are two ballet and four opera versions ofA Christmas Carol, includingThe Passion of Scrooge,a chamber opera for one baritone and chamber orchestra. Listen to an excerpt from the chamber operahere.
Did you know…WhileA Christmas Carolwas received favorably by many of Dicken’s author peers, a 32-year-old Mark Twain was not a fan. Credited as the first writer to do reading tours of his work, Dickens readA Christmas Carolto American audiences during his second visit to the U.S. Twain’s review of the now-iconic book? “There is no heart. No feeling—it is nothing but glittering frostwork.“
As an avid enthusiast and expert in literature, particularly the works of Charles Dickens, I find great joy in delving into the intricate details and historical context of his timeless masterpiece, "A Christmas Carol." My passion for literature extends to a profound understanding of the author's life, his motivations, and the socio-economic influences that shaped this iconic novella.
Let's explore some fascinating aspects mentioned in the article:
-
Original Title and Writing Process:
- The full title of "A Christmas Carol" is "A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas."
- Dickens wrote this classic in a remarkably short span of six weeks, driven by financial pressures, often composing the story during lengthy nighttime walks through the streets of London.
-
Publication History:
- "A Christmas Carol" was first published on December 19, 1843, and the initial edition sold out by Christmas Eve.
- Within a month of its debut, Dickens found himself entangled in a legal dispute with a publishing company over pirated copies.
-
Financial Struggles:
- Despite its immense popularity, Dickens did not profit substantially from early editions. His meticulous attention to details in bookbinding and materials cost him a significant portion of potential profits.
-
Social Commentary:
- Much like many of Dickens' works, "A Christmas Carol" serves as a powerful social commentary. Inspired by his family's struggles with debtors' prison, Dickens aimed to stir empathy for the poor and powerless among the prosperous and powerful.
-
Manuscript Gift:
- Dickens had the original 66-page manuscript, heavily revised, bound in crimson leather and decorated before gifting it to his friend and creditor, Thomas Mitton.
-
Adaptations and Influence:
- The novella has seen over 100 adaptations, ranging from movies to video games. Notably, Dickens' work has been featured in various TV shows, ballets, operas, and even a chamber opera titled "The Passion of Scrooge."
-
Mark Twain's Critique:
- Surprisingly, Mark Twain, during Dickens' reading tours in the U.S., offered a critical review of "A Christmas Carol." Twain remarked that the work lacked heart and feeling, describing it as nothing more than "glittering frostwork."
These intriguing facts showcase the depth of Dickens' artistry and the enduring impact of "A Christmas Carol" on literature and popular culture. It's a testament to Dickens' ability to weave narratives that resonate across generations.
