Much of Charles Dickens' depiction of morality in his most famous Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, derives from "the wisdom of our ancestors." (1) From the beginning of his story Dickens explains his use of the phrase "dead as a doornail", in relation to Marley, as trusting in the "wisdom of our ancestors", even if it was not the simile he himself would have invented. He continues to carefully craft his story in reference to traditional culture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe Christmas season, as a setting, represents the temporary breaking of the restrictions felt within a normal life in a Dickensian society. Scrooge's nephew describes the Christmas season as:...the only time I know, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem with one accord to open their closed hearts freely, and think of the people beneath them as if they were truly companions on the journey to the grave, and not another race of creatures headed on other journeys... even if he never put a piece of gold or silver in my pocket, I think he did me good , and it will do me good; and I say: God bless him! (6-7)Indeed, the fragmentation and restoration of a set of values ​​is the theme of A Christmas Carol, a story set not in chapters, but sung in staves. The characterization of a story told in a song is in itself a return to ancestral and traditional values. We remember the famous opening "Song of war and man at war" (ln. 1) of Virgil's Aeneid. The poems of ancient Roman writers, such as Virgil and Ovid, speak of the history of a culture but perhaps above all they teach a moral lesson. In adopting this medium Dickens pays homage to his ancient predecessors, and also to the art of caroling itself (as the title suggests). Before the 20th century one of the only means of widespread education was through the Christian Church. And through Dickens's characterization of church officials as often corrupt, it can be assumed that Dickens probably did not like the tainted information that churchgoers received. However, Christmas carols maintain their integrity, regardless of who sings them. Their message is clear and their words unaltered, except for common children's mistakes (going 'babble' instead of 'wassailing'). Mainly what Dickens' novel does is take the eroding moralistic traditions of the past and deliver them intact to the common man. His many characters are allegorizations of the traditional values ​​Dickens is concerned with in the past, present and future. Ebenezer Scrooge is perhaps the most allegorical among them. Although in cross-order, we see Scrooge's progression and depression during his time as a schoolboy through to his elderly, miserly years. His first vision is of himself as a terribly lonely child at Christmas, trying to keep company with book characters. The first spirit, that of Christmas past, is himself a child and an old man at the same time; and the luminous splendor of his head speaks of the importance of the human mind. This first ghost represents memory and its ability to tie one's entire life together. Indeed, the fluid movement of time throughout history suggests that in terms of humanity it is not the "when" that is important; it's just the "what" you should worry about. The second spirit, that of the Christmas Gift, exemplifies the concerns one should ideally have in association with Christmas: goodwill, generosity, love and celebration, for starters. The food «piled up on the floor to form akind of throne" (57) helps the spirit to evoke thoughts of prosperity and joy. Likewise, the moral theme of A Christmas Carol has little to do with the solemnity of a religious occasion (although the influence of organized Christianity is present, in the ringing of church bells to mark the hours, for example), but above all in praising the abundance of joy, which has the ability to share with each other. In essence, Dickens' Christmas is not about self-control and religious piety. It is a time to share your riches, whether on a scale of poverty or wealth, whether monetary or spiritual. Here Scrooge begins to realize what is perhaps already evident to the reader: celebrating by feasting is an extremely pleasant experience. , but only if you share that celebration with others. The Cratchit family is able to demonstrate the ability to derive great joy from having little by sharing it with loved ones, as opposed to the very little joy Scrooge derives from abundance due to his loneliness. This visit from the Spirit of Christmas Present also highlights the importance of teaching that joy to the next generations to come. In literature the presence of children embodies the natural human response to innocence within a loving or loveless environment. The children in the story in question are no different as they serve to greatly focus the course of the book. Mainly this goal is achieved through the pathetic character of Tiny Tim. His faith and loving spirit in the face of deadly disease are one of the reasons A Christmas Carol has maintained its extreme popularity throughout the ages. Tiny Tim correctly highlights the connection between him and Jesus Christ when he tells his father: ...he hoped that people would see him in church, because he was a cripple, and that it might be nice for them to remember on Christmas Day who made beggars lame . walk and the blind see. (67) Growing up in an environment of monetary comfort but little love, Scrooge ages into a cold-hearted miser. Yet, raised in a world with lots of love and little money, the youngest Cratchit has the kindest soul in the story. In contrast to the spiritual light that radiates from the character of Tiny Tim are the "evil" looking creatures: the boy called Ignorance and the girl called Want. “They are children of man” (86), as they are the product of neglect of social responsibility. Ignorance and need are explained by the second spirit as humanity's "doom" if ignored. The third spirit, the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, brings with it a dark undertone to the story. It represents Scrooge's fate (i.e. greater humanity) if poverty continues unaltered by those with the power to change conditions. As Scrooge begins to understand that a desolate and perverted future will be his destiny, the fear of death and the impending reckoning push him to connect his new lessons and memories to an emotional landscape where he can not only relate to the suffering of common man, but but also openly concerned as a humanitarian. As previously noted, Scrooge is able to see other people as if they "...were indeed fellow travelers to the grave, and not another race of creatures destined for other journeys." imagine the world of the accounting office. Yet he continues to visualize a restructuring of selfish society, embracing the most basic human morality of love. The society suggested by Dickens is a sort of voluntary socialism. As Scrooge learns that all men are men regardless of their position, the reader is led to imagine each of himself as responsible for the happiness or suffering of others. Please note: this is just an example.:20)