On the Road with Penguin Classics

A Christmas Carol with Simon Callow – Christmas Special 2023

Dec 21, 2023

Simon Callow, celebrated actor, director, and author, dives into the enchanting world of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. He takes listeners on a festive journey through London, exploring the haunting duality of joy and fear in Scrooge's story. The discussion highlights the historical context of Dickens' work, the significance of memory, and the transformative power of compassion. Callow elaborates on Scrooge's redemption and the importance of empathy, examining how Dickens's tale shaped modern Christmas traditions and remains relevant today.

01:12:43

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Episode guests

Simon Callow

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation from a miser to a compassionate individual illustrates the profound impact of empathy and community engagement.

The essence of Christmas serves as both a festive celebration and a call for ongoing kindness and social responsibility throughout the year.

Dickens critiques Victorian society's wealth disparities, urging readers to recognize their moral obligation towards the less fortunate.

Deep dives

The Transformation of Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge is introduced as a cold and miserly character, devoted solely to accumulating wealth. As he undergoes a profound transformation through the visits of three spirits, he begins to confront his past, the consequences of his actions, and the impact of his choices on those around him. His journey highlights the importance of empathy and generosity, culminating in a shift from isolation to community engagement. By the end of the story, Scrooge emerges as a symbol of redemption, demonstrating that change is possible regardless of one's past.

Intro

5min

Dickens and the Spirit of Christmas

19min

Ghosts of Christmas Past

13min

The Spirit of Christmas and Dickens' Legacy

4min

The Transformation of Scrooge: A Journey Through Leadenhall Market

13min

The Impact of Child Labor Reports on Dickens's Creative Vision

2min

Scrooge's Haunting and Redemption

15min

The Transformation of Scrooge: A Journey to Self-Redemption

4min

Charles Dickens in London. For this festive Christmas Special, the actor and author Simon Callow joins Henry to summon the ghost of Ebeneezer Scrooge and follow him around the City of London, starting at Cornhill, taking in Leadenhall Market and meeting all three Spirits of Christmas. A Christmas Carol, Dickens’s best loved novel, was published on 19 December 1843, 180 years ago this year.

Penguin Classics edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/34585/a-christmas-carol-and-other-christmas-writings-by-charles-dickens-intro-michael-slater/9780140439052

https://apple.co/3Te9UQQ

Penguin Audio edition of A Christmas Carol, read by Theo Ogundipe

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/34585/a-christmas-carol-and-other-christmas-writings-by-dickens-charles/9780241455326

https://apple.co/46OVnhC

Simon Callow

https://simoncallow.com/

Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World by Simon Callow

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/charles-dickens-and-the-great-theatre-of-the-world-simon-callow

Simon’s solo version of A Christmas Carol (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001kwg