“HUMANITY: PAST, PRESENT AND YET-TO-COME”

by Opal Elaine Moyer

     Charles Dickens' famous story, A Christmas Carol, carries one into the world of Christmas in the 1800s. However, there is more to this story than the vivid images of the Victorian Christmas. Dickens delivered a powerful message of humanity to his readers, within the pages of this book. This book has been a favorite of mine for many years; I read it every year at this time and I never lose the wonder at the message in the story and the means in which Dickens chose to convey it.

     In the preface, Dickens, himself, wrote, "I have endeavored this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an idea"; he certainly has succeeded in this. His "ghostly little book" has been put into play-form and has reappeared several times in the movies. A wide range of actors have had the opportunity to play Scrooge in some form. It has been released in cartoon and musical forms and has even been done as a comedy. Some versions have changed Scrooge from male to female and the time periods vary from version to version. Hollywood tends to change details of the storyline, but the message never changes.

     Dickens' greatest messenger was, perhaps, the second of the three spirits, the Ghost of Christmas Present. When rebuking Scrooge (for his remarks about the poor: "If they be like to die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population."), he [the spirit] replies, "Oh, God, to hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his brothers in the dust." Many times, people exhibit an indifference and, even resentment toward their fellow human beings in need. Indifference can be just as harmful as Scrooge's contempt.

     Another notable remark came from this specter, when Scrooge discovered the two gaunt, emaciated children hiding in the spirit's robes. When asked if these children were his, the spirit explained to Scrooge, "They are Man's. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow, I see that written which is doom, unless the writing be erased." Ignorance can be quite deliberate, as was in Scrooge's case; to be conveniently ignorant to the pain and suffering of our fellow human beings, frees one of responsibility and even frees one of having to care.

     Dickens' message and purpose, that he wished to convey, are clear. His message was to remind us to become mindful of the plight of our fellow human beings and not "walk through crowds of our fellow human beings with our eyes turned down and never raise them to that blessed Star which led Wise Men to a poor abode" (Jacob Marley). Dickens' was illustrating to his readers the importance of everyone taking the time to know and care about one's fellow human beings. His purpose was to "raise the ghost of an idea" in the minds of all mankind, to make us all think about the kind of people we should be--not only at Christmas, but all year long. His story lives on, today, so he has had some success. This message was timely in Christmases past, as it is in Christmas present and it shall continue to be so in Christmases, yet to come. Merry Christmas and "God bless us, everyone."