The History of Literature 760 Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, and Ebeneezer Scrooge
This holiday-themed discussion dives into the legacy of Charles Dickens and his iconic character, Ebenezer Scrooge. Explore how Scrooge’s name and story reflect themes of miserliness and redemption. Discover the fascinating tale behind the tombstone that inspired Scrooge and Dickens's moral concerns about wasted lives. Jacke illuminates the joy and societal issues intertwined in Dickens's view of Christmas, highlighting the enduring impact of A Christmas Carol on charity and holiday traditions.
01:13:57
Gravestone That Sparked Scrooge
- Jacke Wilson recounts Dickens finding a gravestone in Edinburgh reading 'Ebenezer Scroggie' that inspired Scrooge's creation.
- Dickens misread 'meal man' as 'mean man,' but the image haunted him and shaped A Christmas Carol.
Scrooge As A Wasted Life Warning
- Dickens frames Scrooge's story as a warning about a 'life wasted' rather than mere hatred from others.
- The book examines how selfishness robs the miser of warmth and a fulfilled life.
Lightning In A Bottle Composition
- Jacke narrates how Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol as a side project while serializing Martin Chuzzlewit.
- Dickens felt seized by the story, walking miles at night and weeping and laughing during composition.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Why Dickens and Scrooge Matter Today
02:01 • 3min
The Power of Ebenezer Scrooge's Name
04:34 • 1min
The Tombstone That Inspired Scrooge
05:59 • 7min
Dickens's Moral Concern: A Life Wasted
12:43 • 2min
Christmas as Moral Mirror
14:15 • 5min
Ad break
18:48 • 3min
Why Dickens Chose 'Ebenezer'
21:42 • 3min
Scrooge's Miserly Life Hurts Everyone
25:03 • 1min
Dickens's Life Before The Carol
26:27 • 10min
Lightning in a Bottle: Writing the Carol
36:27 • 2min
Preface and Musical Structure
38:21 • 2min
Opening: Marley's Ghost and Scrooge
40:23 • 5min
Scrooge's Cold Character in Action
45:16 • 9min
Scrooge, Malthus, and Social Debate
54:42 • 2min
Ad break
56:26 • 2min
Public Reception Versus Dickens's Worry
58:06 • 4min
Readers' Letters and Cultural Impact
01:02:22 • 3min
The Carol as Timeless Nursery Tale
01:05:32 • 3min
Ending: Scrooge's Transformation
01:08:18 • 5min
Outro
01:13:31 • 4min
#512
• Mentioned in 52 episodes
Oliver Twist
The 1838 Theatrical Adaptation
George Almar
This adaptation was first performed in the fall of 1838, before the full text of Dickens' original novel had been released.
It is a serio-comic burletta that deviates from the original novel, and Dickens himself was reportedly horrified by the performance.
The adaptation highlights the theatrical interpretation of Dickens' work during the Victorian era.
#3488
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
Martin Chuzzlewit
Alfred Essarts
Tim F. LaHaye
Charles Dickens
The novel tells the story of two Chuzzlewits, Martin and Jonas, and their diverse fates.
Young Martin Chuzzlewit, an apprentice architect, is disinherited by his grandfather after falling in love with Mary Graham, the grandfather's companion.
Martin and his servant, Mark Tapley, travel to the United States, where they face various misadventures.
The novel satirizes American society, highlighting hypocrisy, greed, and other social ills.
It also features notable characters like Seth Pecksniff and Mrs. Gamp, and introduces one of the first literary private detective characters, Mr. Nadgett.
The story ultimately resolves with Martin's moral redemption and reconciliation with his grandfather.
#279
• Mentioned in 79 episodes
The theory of moral sentiments
Adam Smith
Published in 1759, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' is Adam Smith's first major published work, based on his lectures at Glasgow University.
The book argues that morality is driven by humanity's natural sociability and the need for approval from peers, rather than by rational calculation or innate moral sense.
Smith introduces key concepts such as sympathy, the impartial spectator, and the invisible hand, which explain how individuals judge the conduct and character of themselves and others.
The work delves into the emotional and social aspects of human behavior, highlighting the role of emotions like pity and compassion in shaping moral sentiments and behaviors.
#2679
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Dubliners
James Joyce
Dubliners is a collection of short stories by James Joyce, first published in 1914.
The stories are arranged to track the lives of Dubliners from childhood to old age, exploring themes such as the 'paralysis' of Irish society, the desire for escape, and the intersection of life and death.
Each story features a different plot and characters but is connected by the theme of epiphany, where characters experience life-changing moments of revelation.
The collection is known for its realistic portrayal of Dublin life, highlighting issues such as alcoholism, religious tension, and political concerns of the time.
#47
• Mentioned in 225 episodes
The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith
Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics.
The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit.
It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets.
Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces.
The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.
#559
• Mentioned in 49 episodes
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that chronicles the life of Pip, a young orphan living in the marshes of Kent.
The story begins with Pip's encounter with an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, which sets off a chain of events that changes his life.
Pip inherits a large fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which he uses to become a gentleman.
However, his journey is marked by his unrequited love for Estella, the adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham, and his eventual discovery that his benefactor is not who he expected.
The novel explores themes of social class, love, rejection, and the search for true identity, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England.
#302
• Mentioned in 75 episodes
A Tale of Two Cities
Julius Julius Seybt
Francisco Manuel GRANADO CASTRO
Marion Leighton
federico alonso
Aedi Abraham
maxi sanchez
jaime arbe
Fred BARNARD
Laura Santamaria
Juan Ramon Torregrosa
monica alonso
Charles Dickens
Alejo García Moreno
Miguel Muñoz
leonardo pablo federico sanchez alonso
J. J. Bernier
Salustiano Masó Simón
Victor G Ambrus
Jose perez
Hablot K. BROWNE
Published in 1859, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a historical novel that contrasts the lives in London and Paris during the late 18th century.
The story revolves around characters such as Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, and Lucie Manette, each dealing with love, sacrifice, and the profound societal changes brought about by the French Revolution.
The novel critiques both the conditions leading up to the Revolution and the Revolution itself, highlighting themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the potential for positive change.
Dickens's vivid portrayal of the social disparities and political unrest of the era, along with his iconic opening lines, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' make the novel a compelling exploration of human resilience and societal issues.
#147
• Mentioned in 122 episodes
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius.
Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude.
Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge.
The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.
#3032
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Pickwick Papers
Lynn Brittney
Charles Dickens
The Pickwick Papers, or The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, is Charles Dickens' first novel, published in 1837.
It follows the travels of Samuel Pickwick, a kind and wealthy gentleman, and his three companions: Mr. Tupman, Mr. Winkle, and Mr. Snodgrass.
Along with Pickwick’s servant Sam Weller, they get into numerous scrapes and misadventures.
The novel satirizes societal misunderstandings and highlights the absurdity of social class divisions.
A significant part of the story revolves around the trial of Bardell vs Pickwick and its aftermath, leading to Pickwick's incarceration and eventual triumph.
#755
• Mentioned in 40 episodes
Bleak House
Charles Dickens
Bleak House, published in 1852-1853, is a novel by Charles Dickens that revolves around the Jarndyce family and their entanglement in the interminable lawsuit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
The story highlights the inefficiencies and injustices of the English Court of Chancery, as well as themes of family secrets, blackmail, murder, and social critique.
The novel follows Esther Summerson, who becomes the guardian of two other wards, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare, and their lives as they navigate the complexities of the lawsuit and personal secrets, particularly those surrounding Lady Dedlock and her past.
The novel is known for its vivid portrayal of Victorian England and its critique of various social and legal institutions of the time.
#122
• Mentioned in 137 episodes
A Christmas carol
Jacqueline Goldfinger
Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences.
This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.
#670
• Mentioned in 43 episodes
David Copperfield
Paul Lorain
Charles Dickens
A classic novel by Charles Dickens, following the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood.
In this holiday-themed episode, a sentimental Jacke takes a look at Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (1843), and the creation of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
A version of this episode first aired in December 2020. That episode has not been available in our archives for several years.
Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. December update: Act soon - there are only two spots left!
The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com.
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