Question: What Charles Dickens ghost story was first published on 19th December 1843?
Show answer
A Christmas Carol.
Charles Dickens’ ghost story, A Christmas Carol, was first published on December 19, 1843. This novella has become one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time. Set in Victorian England, it tells the transformative tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cynical old man who despises Christmas and everything it represents.
The story begins on a bleak Christmas Eve, with Scrooge showing his disdain for the festive season by refusing to donate to charity, declining his nephew’s invitation to Christmas dinner, and overworking his underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit. That night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the grim consequences of his greed and selfishness. Marley informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits: the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.
Through these supernatural encounters, Scrooge is forced to confront his own actions, the joy he has lost, and the grim future awaiting him if he continues on his current path. Witnessing the struggles of the Cratchit family, including the frail but cheerful Tiny Tim, Scrooge undergoes a profound transformation. By the end of the story, he emerges as a kind, generous, and joyful man, embodying the true spirit of Christmas.
A Christmas Carol not only revitalized Dickens’ career but also contributed to popularizing many Christmas traditions. Its themes of compassion, generosity, and redemption remain deeply resonant, making it a timeless classic.
