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A Christmas Carol Thesis Statements and Essay Topics

Below you will find four outstanding thesis statements / paper topics for “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens can be used as essay starters. All four incorporate at least one of the themes found in “A Christmas Carol” and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to provide a focused clear thesis statement. These thesis statements offer a short summary of “­­­­­­­A Christmas Carol” terms of different elements that could be important in an essay. You are, of course, free to add your own analysis and understanding of the plot or themes to them. Using the essay topics below in conjunction with the list of  important quotes from “A Christmas Carol”  on our quotes page, you should have no trouble connecting with the text and writing an excellent essay.

Topic #1 Varieties of Disabilities

Compare and contrast societal views on “handicaps “or disabilities with the handicaps presented in the story. Tiny Tim has health problems. The Cratchits are very poor. According to society, they would be considered needy. However, the family is happy. In that sense, they are wealthier than Ebenezer Scrooge. Because Scrooge has more money and is healthy, he is viewed as successful. He is also very unhappy. Who has the greater handicap in Dickens’ story? Is it Tiny Tim or the Cratchit family in general? Or is the neediest character actually Scrooge?

Topic #2 The Ability to Change One’s Personality

Ebenezer Scrooge goes to bed a miser and wakes up with a generous heart. Discuss the possibility of such a phenomenon. Include information on personal reflection and self-examination. Could a close look at one’s life and direction really bring about such a drastic transformation in a short amount of time? How does the time period affect this viewpoint? Contrast the time period of the story with modern times. Cynicism is prevalent in many cultures when it comes to changing oneself. How does that affect the moral of the story?

Topic #3 Thinking Positively in the Face of Grave Uncertainty

Tiny Tim exhibits a positive and humble attitude in spite of his physical affliction. He manages to bring joy to others in his family while he suffers through his illness. He does not get angry that his parents cannot afford the right doctors. He does not lash out at others to have companions in his misery. Explore the belief that a positive outlook improves one’s ability to overcome the symptoms of illness. How does that theory apply in the case of Tiny Tim?

Topic #4 The Value of Money

Ebenezer Scrooge and his late partner, Jacob Marley, are consumed with making and keeping their money. After Marley dies, he comes back to warn Scrooge of the folly of money and greed. When Scrooge is being shown his life by the Christmas ghosts, he sees how his decisions have shaped his life. He sees what his life will become if he does not change his lifestyle. His greed over money made him who he is. Money is painted as one of the evils of life. How does Scrooge’s attitude about money become what it is? How have his choices and decisions affected his life? Are these choices and decisions to blame, or is money the culprit?

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thesis a christmas carol

A Christmas Carol Thesis

Generosity in a christmas carol.

Through the use of the supernatural, as well as natural world, Dickens manages to employ a reason for change by arguing that greed is an inhumane tool of power utilised by the wealthy. Moreover, Dickens argues that generosity is a quality that is severely lacking throughout humanity, before concluding by reassuring his audience that change is achievable. Thus, it is a profound message throughout ‘A Christmas Carol’, that despite the doings of the Industrial Revolution, an assertive effort must be made to bring an end to the social injustice present in their

A Christmas Carol: A Review

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, present, and the future. The spirits of all three shall thrive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach me.” ( Play 32 ). This is what Scrooge said to Jacob Marley, his old business partner. He was told that he would be haunted by three spirits and after he was haunted by the third spirit, he realized that he was going to die alone. He wanted to change that. It was probably very hard for him to change his way of life towards Christmas.

Ebenezer Scrooge In Jacob Marley's A Christmas Carol

The novel “A Christmas Carol” takes place in a poor section of London, England during the Industrial revolutions (1800’s). The main character is Ebenezer Scrooge. He is a hard-hearted business man that hates Christmas. Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his dead partner Jacob Marley that now wears a heavy chain for thinking only of making money instead of helping others around him. Marley warns Scrooge that he’s heading the same direction and will be given a chance to avoid it. Marley tells Scrooge that he will be haunted by three spirits on the next day.

Theme Of Compassion In A Christmas Carol

Dickens, throughout the novella, wanted to convey compassion—something that many people within the higher-class didn’t fully understand, due to their ignorance of the impoverished classes beneath them. To be compassionate means to be aware of other’s suffering and misfortune; to be empathetic, to pity somebody or something. Dickens definitely wanted to portray this within A Christmas Carol to influence his readers to be more aware of those who were suffering, and to be more charitable.

Theme Of Social Justice In A Christmas Carol

1) In one of Charles Dickens’ most famous stories, A Christmas Carol, he drops hints about his views on society during Victorian England, which was the period that Dickens lived in. 2) Throughout the novella, Dickens implies his thoughts on social justice that was around him; several pieces of evidence are provided and they all paint a picture of the way the higher class citizens overlooked and disregarded the poorer members of society. In addition, Dickens indicates the way of change that he desired for the rich. 3a) Initially, Dickens uses Scrooge as an example of the wealthy civilians throughout his time due to the fact that Scrooge refuses to donate to the poor and suggests the prisons, Union workhouses, The Treadmill and Poor Law as options

Examples Of Poverty In The Christmas Carol

One out of every seven people in America live under the poverty line. Even though the Christmas Carol is fictional novella it still illustrates examples of poverty, its effects and what can be done to stop it. Throughout the Christmas Carol different characters who either live in poverty, or are ignorant of it completely. This is a Scenario is applicable to real life. Many people believe that poverty is the fault or problem of those afflicted by it. Poverty affects all types of people in many varying ways. It can lead to malnutrition, hunger, heath problems, lack of education and increase in crime. Most of these themes are represented in the Christmas Carol by an array of characters.

Isolation In Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol

Over the course of Charles Dicken writing career he wrote a brilliant novel: A Christmas Carol. The novel shows a story of a man name Scrooge, who’s a businessman and has no spirit for anything but money. The character Scrooge turns out to be the grumpiest person ever during Christmas time. There’s also the three ghost of the past present and future that follows. In the novel you see some themes that jump right out to you which for me was isolation the most, some character’s show loneliness. You can also see some character’s mentally isolated by their life circumstances. However, you see the struggles to change the isolation. In my opinion scrooge has a connection with Charles Dicken because as a child he was struggling being an adult and having

Industrial Revolution In A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is a book written by Charles Dickens that was set in 1843. The novella is about a man by the name of Ebenezer Scrooge, who is known for his miserable antics. On Christmas Eve, the spirit of his old coworker, Jacob Marley, and three other spirits visit Scrooge. The spirit’s purpose is to show scrooge why his life is shaped the way it is, the people he has or has not affected, how he could live his life, and what his life could end up looking like. Although Scrooge is meant to represent greed he also has many factors surrounding him or in him that are similar to the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution was a time when people stopped relying on agriculture but instead relayed on machines. Charles dickens makes sure

The Separation Between Charles Dickens And His Family

In the nineteenth century, Dickens was writing a forgettable epic works. "Dickens beliefs and attitudes were typical of the age in which he lived” (Slater 301). The circumstances and financial difficulties caused Dickens’s father to be imprisoned briefly for debt. Dickens himself was put to work for a few months at a shoe-blacking warehouse. Memories of this painful period in his life were to influence much of his later writing, which is characterized by empathy, oppressed, and a keen examination of class distinctions. When certain events influence individuals emotionally and in a negative way, such as the separation between Charles Dickens and his family, the events tend to stay in the person 's mind throughout their lifetime. Jail

How Is Scrooge Presented In A Christmas Carol

"If they would rather die,…they had better do it and decrease the surplus population." - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Compare And Contrast How The Grinch Stole Christmas Carol

Naturally, A Christmas Carol has become such an influential work that modern authors still draw upon the character types, conflicts, and themes found in Dickens’ traditional story. At the end of A Christmas Carol, after all the Ghosts left

A Dynamic Character In Ebenezer Scrooge In A Christmas Carol

By comparing and contrasting how he feels at the exposition and the end of the novel and going through the ghost’s visions influenced both Scrooge and us, the readers. Any reader can come to realize that he is an emotionally changed character for life. On top of that, readers can take away many valuable lessons. This classic novel will forever be cherished with the journey to the Victorian times, the meeting of spectacular characters along the way, but especially the remembrance of old Ebenezer Scrooge, the true father of Christmas spirit. As Dickens has said once, “God bless us every one.” And as Ebenezer Scrooge has said many times, “Bah,

A Christmas Carol Changes

Events from the past can influence people to change their life for the better. Influence from anyone and anything can definitely affect you. Chances are, if you have done atrocious things, you probably want to try and do some good. This the case for the main characters in the stories “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and “A Retrieved Reformation” by O’ Harey. Ebenezer Scrooge is a greedy, grumpy man who hates Christmas and really anything that involves joy. One night, when three spirits come to him to inform him about the past, present, and future, he decides to turn his life around and change for the better. Jimmy Valentine is a safe cracker who moves to a new town. Once he meets a girl name Annabel, he decides to literally change his

What Is Charles Dickens: Good Vs. Evil?

Charles Dickens is an influential author for all ages. He has written many books that children know very well, including A Christmas Carol, with the character, Ebenezer Scrooge, finding his love for Christmas again. Dickens has also written some more mature books with topics that relate to our world today, such as Great Expectations, were the young boy, Pip, deals with an abusive family. In Charles Dickens books, we read many different themes that all have one thing in common: good v.s. evil.

A Christmas Carol: Literary Analysis: Christmas Carol

Have you ever wondered if someone can change overnight? In this book Scrooge changed very rapidly with the ghost appearing and changing him completely . In the beginning of the story Scrooge was hateful and in the end he was very loving. But once he started to change he changed very rapidly. When the ghosts started coming he started changing , each time one ghost came he changed little by little . In the book “ a christmas carol “ by charles dickens , the theme is influenced by the process of change by scrooge 's character , and the ways he changed through the ghost 's appearance in the story.

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thesis a christmas carol

Essays on A Christmas Carol

Analysis of scrooge's transformation in a christmas carol.

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The Changes of Ebenezer Scrooge in a Christmas Carol

How scrooge represents hyprocisy in "a christmas carol", morality in a christmas carol by charles dickens, the transformation of scrooge as highlighted in "a christmas carol", a reflection on a christmas carol by charles dickens, the ghosts of christmas as illustrated in "a christmas carol", charles dickens’ a christmas carol vs. wilkie collins’ the moonstone, a criticism of christmas by a capitalist in "a christmas carol", a christmas carol as a moral maxim, the episodes of christmas as highlighted in "a christmas carol", exploring dickens’ views on money in a christmas carol, a study of the personality of scrooge in charles dickens’ book the christmas carol, how religion and secular practises became part of christmas, an analysis of the use of tone in a christmas carol, a book by charles dickens, a detailed look at the role of emotions in "a christmas carol", the perfect christmas from the perspective of "a christmas carol", charles dickens' terrible childhood, feeling stressed about your essay.

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19 December 1843, Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Fred, Fezziwig, Belle, Peter Cratchit, Martha Cratchit, Fan, The Portly Gentlemen, Mrs. Cratchit

1. Jaffe, A. (1994). Spectacular sympathy: visuality and ideology in Dickens's A Christmas Carol. PMLA, 109(2), 254-265. 2. Davis, P. (1990). Literary History: Retelling A Christmas Carol: Text and Culture-Text. The American Scholar, 59(1), 109-115. 3. Butterworth, R. D. (1993). 'A Christmas Carol'and the masque. Studies in short fiction, 30(1), 63-70. 5. Ferrari, A., Signoroni, S., Silva, M., Gaggiotti, P., Veneroni, L., Magni, C., ... & Massimino, M. (2017). “Christmas Balls”: a Christmas carol by the adolescent cancer patients of the Milan Youth Project. 6. Hancock, P. (2016). A Christmas carol: A reflection on organization, society, and the socioeconomics of the festive season. 7. Hancher, M. (2008). Grafting A Christmas Carol. SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900, 48(4), 813-827. 8. Burleson, D. R. (1992). Dickens's a Christmas Carol. The Explicator, 50(4), 211-212. 9. Preston, S. (2012). Existential Scrooge: A Kierkegaardian Reading of A Christmas Carol. Literature Compass, 9(11), 743-751.

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thesis a christmas carol

A Christmas Carol Essay Examples

thesis a christmas carol

thesis a christmas carol

A Christmas Carol Essay

thesis a christmas carol

A Christmas Carol

The play “A Christmas Carol” was written by Charles John Huffam Dickens, playwright who was born on February 7,1813. Charles was a English writer and also a social critic, he created some of the best fictional characters that people know today. Charles is recognized as one of the greatest novelist of the Victorian Era. Charles wrote 15 novels , 5 novellas, hundreds of short stories and lots of other things. Charles left school early to work at a factory to provide for him and his family, but his

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In this extract we are presented with Scrooge. From the beginning Scrooge is presented as a miser. In the extract we find out that he is an old, rude and ignorant man that doesn’t appreciate others around him. Dickens uses different language techniques to describe Scrooges appearance as clear as possible. In the opening paragraph Dickens uses imagery to create a vivid impression of Scrooge. He is described as ‘a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone’, and this

Analysis Of A Christmas Carol

Have you ever thought of Christmas as a humbug, or just another ordinary day? Probably not, but if you were to ask Ebenezer Scrooge (from A Christmas Carol), his response to Christmas would be “Bah, Humbug.” Just after we finished reading the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, last week, on December 1, 2017, my classmates and I went to see a live performance of A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The play was adapted by Barbara Field, and directed by Drew Fracher. In this essay

Scrooge in A Christmas Carol

In a time in which the significance of Christmas gradually started to change, Charles Dickens, in accordance with these changes, wrote a Christmas tale: A Christmas Carol. The novella was published six days in advance of the Christmas celebrations of 1843; it was sold out three days later. Although a socially engaged narrative, Dickens’ work is not occupied with trivialities such as the introduction of Christmas cards; instead A Christmas Carol focuses on the transforming beliefs and values

With each Ghost's tale functioning as a moral story, Dickens demonstrates the Christian moral ideals associated with Christmas such as; generosity, kindness, and a universal love for your community which follows the same moral landscape of Victorian England in general. The novel focuses more on a modern view of Christmas that is less concerned with religious ceremony and emphasizes more on joyous traditions like the sharing of gifts, festive celebrations, exhibitions of prosperity. The idea that

A Christmas Carol Analysis

Assessment Task 1 10/X/2017 A Christmas Carol After reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens I would not help but associate this story with how I envision the Realism period. I have learned, through my research, that authors during the Realism period often wrote about struggles that resulted directly revolutions of the period. My initial thoughts on this story were that the author wanted to use Scrooge to symbolize greediness of people during the Christmas season and the negative direction

Allusions In The Christmas Carol

The Christmas Carol is a magnificent movie which shows Ebenezar Scrooge a grumpy old man who changes his future. Ebenezar will go on a magical journey where he will see his past, present, and future with the help of the ghosts of past, present, and future, which changes Scrooge for the better. In the Christmas Carol you find many allusions, metaphors, allegories, paradoxes, personifications. An example of a foreshadowing would be of how Mr. Scrooge is an old grumpy and gloomy man, and while I

published A Christmas Carol in 1843, in part as an attempt to garner some success, and also as an attempt to convince the masses of kindness and charity at Christmas time. While it did not gain him commercial success, the legacy this story has left, succeeded in inspiring our society to give a little more at Christmas time. Nowadays, the story has become synonymous with Christmas. It would be hard to imagine a Christmas without some adaptation of Dickens masterpiece. As A Christmas Carol is one of

money, but in who and what you are lucky enough to posses. In “A Christmas Carol”, Ebenezer Scrooge is an elderly, lonely and pessimistic man who cares about nothing more than his money. However, while experiencing 3 separate encounters with 3 Christmas ghosts, he evolves into something different. Some might say he is a Santa Claus-like character by the end; jolly, caring and most of all, grateful. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, adapted by Israel Horovitz Scrooge teaches readers that you should

A Christmas Carol In a Christmas Carol, Dickens uses some of his past childhood experiences to show us that Christmas is very important and many messages come across in this book. It is split up into five ‘staves.’ The reason that they are staves instead of chapters as staves are used in music and it is called a Christmas ‘carol.’ In most cases, when people hear the word ‘Christmas’, we think of a time for giving and sharing with people less fortunate, a time for being thankful for everything

all the pieces that I have read I wanted to pick one that affected my life in some way. With that said, I decided to write about A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I first read A Christmas Carol when I was younger but when I really got into the book was in 7th grade. A Christmas Carol was published on December 19, 1843 by Chapman and Hall in London. A Christmas Carol showed me that the choices I make affect me the others around me in more ways than what is happening in that moment, it can affect

teachings, in his book A Christmas Carol. In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens shows that one’s business in life is to commit to charity and helping others, through what Scrooge learns from the Three Spirits’ lessons. In stave I, Scrooge thinks man's business is making money, which caused him to be the way he is, penurious and lonely. In the following piece of evidence, Scrooge gets into an argument with his nephew. Clearly expressing the fact he very much dislikes Christmas, in this argument, and

The novels A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, and Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte display a strong parallel in the ways in which they use their different styles of narration in the story to reveal the true inner-feelings of characters. In A Christmas Carol, the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is taught many valuable lessons through the testament of three different spirits, each working to bring out the true emotions of this man. Likewise, in Wuthering Heights, the main character, Mr. Lockwood

Christmas Carol Essay

Christmas Carol How does Charles Dickens convey the character of scrooge in the early pages of a Christmas Carol? Charles Dickens, is best known for his host of distinctively cruel, repugnant characters. His father was sent to a Debtors prison taken his son Charles with him maybe this is where some of the ideas for characters came from. After a few years, Dickens left the prison to work in a blacking factory. Dickens started writing in prosperous Victorian England, where only the

Redemption In A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol presents to the reader the transformation of an egotistic, miserable man, named Ebenezer Scrooge, to a compassionate and merrier elderly who finds the true perception of Christmas. Good afternoon, my name is Hayley Harris-Organ; I am here before you to address the importance of studying the humorous yet stern approach to Scrooge’s plight in the novella A Christmas Carol. This short novel acknowledges the threat of holding a selfish life. The author makes a clear

Ghost In The Christmas Carol

In the book The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, there are three ghosts: The ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The ghosts were sent to haunt Scrooge so he wouldn't be so antagonistic, dismal, and just plain malicious. I think the most effective ghost that changes scrooge for the better is the Ghost of Christmas present. The Ghost of Christmas present first brings E. Scrooge to the house of his co-worker Bob Cratchit. The ghost shows Scrooge Bob´s crippled son. Scrooge makes a remark

mind of the people. It is almost Christmas in 1946 and all the parents are buying presents for their children and spending a great deal of money. This article speaks to the parents to spend quality time with their children, as opposed to just buying them gifts. The article is trying to persuade the reader that tangible gifts are not what make a child happy. The author’s idea about the family is that they should be together reading stories and singing Christmas carols; and that will create happiness

Transformation In A Christmas Carol

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was first published in London on the 19th of December 1843, the novella was instantly popular and still is to this day. Dickens inspiration for the short story seems to come from his childhood experiences and his sympathy for the poor. In the story a miserable old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, is shown the error of his ways and what will come of it if he doesn’t make drastic changes. Various ghosts and spirits slowly transform him into a kinder more pleasant man. A Christmas Carol is

Essay On A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol Do you ever feel like people change? In A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens, Scrooge is a grouchy, unsocial, miserly, uncharitable old man. He is extremely unsympathetic and bah humbugs everything to do with Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is magically visited by 3 ghosts. The ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Scrooge has a rude awakening of haunting memories he holds onto. These memories make him feeling as if he needs a second chance and a fresh start

Miserism In A Christmas Carol

during that time and the following generations to come. The way that each book is interpreted may differ depending on the time period, because there will be changes in the ways of thinking depending on the historical or cultural context. In A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens during the Industrial Revolution, the belief that everyone should become charitable instead of miserly is represented throughout the novella. In another novel, The Old Man and the Sea written by Ernest Hemingway, Santiago

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illustration of Ebenezer Scrooge in silhouette walking toward a Christmas tree and followed by the three ghosts

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

What is a good thesis statement for A Christmas Carol ?

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"What is a good thesis statement for A Christmas Carol ?" eNotes Editorial , 24 July 2019, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-is-a-good-thesis-statement-for-a-christmas-1139240. Accessed 2 Mar. 2023.

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It might be interesting to argue the idea that Scrooge wasn't always such an unpleasant and greedy person, that the conditions of his childhood paved the way for him to become avaricious later in life. There's a good deal of evidence to suggest that a difficult childhood, where Scrooge was abandoned at a miserable boarding school and alienated by his family, made him prioritize money over everything else. When the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to his past, the old man "wept to see his poor forgotten self as he had used to be." His younger self has only a "feeble fire" and is all alone in this school, where there is "too much getting up by candle-light, and not too much to eat." An empty belly and small fire could certainly contribute to Scrooge's acquisitiveness; he certainly would not want to return to this position later in life. Further, when his sister comes to collect him, she tells him, "Father is so much kinder than he used to be." This is a rather troubling line: was Scrooge sent away by an unkind, even abusive, father? How bad was his very early childhood? How did he come to be totally abandoned in this sad place? We cannot know, but the conditions in which he lived at the boarding school certainly seem to betray either a lack of interest or neglect on his father's part. In thinking of this, we might grow more understanding of Scrooge's desire to acquire money—since money wouldn't abandon him and would, instead, provide him with the security he lacked as a child—especially after Belle breaks it off with him as well.

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When writing a thesis statement it's always important to bear in mind that you're putting forward an argument. You need to have something you want to say about the story, then be prepared to argue your case, backing it up with evidence from the text. There are a number of potential arguments you could use in relation to A Christmas Carol . For example, you could argue that Scrooge has only really changed his ways for selfish reasons. In that sense, he remains as selfish at the end of the story as he did at the beginning, albeit with a radically different effect upon other people. The Ghost of Christmas Future gives Scrooge a frightening glimpse of what lies in store if he doesn't mend his ways. He's absolutely terrified at the prospect, genuinely concerned at the fate of his soul. So perhaps it could be argued that Scrooge's dramatic conversion is motivated, not by a genuine desire to improve the lot of his fellow man, but by fear and self-interest. For Scrooge, it's all about doing whatever he can to save himself.

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To write a thesis statement for a literary analysis paper on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens , begin by thinking about what aspect of the novel you would like to evaluate in depth. The novel is rich with topics for analysis. You might decide to analyze how Dickens develops Scrooge's character; how Dickens uses figurative language; how other characters serve as foils for Scrooge; or how Dickens makes the three Spirits become increasingly scary.

Once you have chosen a specific aspect of the novel to look into, break the subject into three subtopics. Here are some possible divisions for the above topics:

As you can see, such a thesis isn't necessarily arguable in the sense of being controversial. You don't need to find a thesis that many people would disagree with. You just need to pull out an interesting interpretation of the novel or some aspect of the novel and then prove your interpretation using solid examples from the book. Once you have your key point that you want to argue and the three subtopics, you can craft a three-part thesis statement. Starting with an "although" clause or concession clause is a good way to acknowledge that other viewpoints exist.

Here's an example of a three-part thesis statement that includes a concessions clause, thesis, and sentence of division (or map):

Although Dickens uses direct and indirect characterization masterfully in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge becomes a believable character primarily through the use of foils, especially Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, and Fred.

Educator since 2015

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When writing specifically about the novel  A Christmas Carol , by Charles Dickens, here are some interesting questions to help you brainstorm a good argumentative thesis. 

Use these as brainstorm questions about the major characters, themes, symbols, conflicts, and elements of the novel to develop a great thesis!

Well, that depends on whether or not your teacher has assigned you a prompt that you should answering with your thesis statement, or if he/she has allowed you to develop your own argument entirely. 

Regardless of whether or not your thesis is in response to a specified prompt, it should always be an argumentative claim. Many people have trouble ensuring that their thesis statements are argumentative, not simply observations or statements of fact. An argumentative thesis claims some sort of connection or relationship between two elements of the text, whether it is a cause-effect, reciprocal, a similarity, a difference, or some other relationship. 

If you are unsure about whether or not your thesis statement is an argument, the easiest "cheat" to check is to include the word "because". This automatically inserts a cause-effect relationship into your thesis statement around which you can build your argument. 

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Popular Questions

Latest answer posted December 26, 2020 at 4:09:54 PM

Describe the two children who emerge from the second spirit's robe in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Latest answer posted December 05, 2020 at 2:12:53 PM

Name the six places the second spirit takes Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

Latest answer posted December 06, 2020 at 12:31:06 PM

Why doesn't Scrooge like Christmas in A Christmas Carol?

Latest answer posted January 12, 2021 at 5:08:54 PM

What lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in A Christmas Carol?

Latest answer posted December 11, 2020 at 10:52:15 AM

Why does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge the boarding school where he was left alone in A Christmas Carol?

A Christmas Carol Essays

Literary devices in a christmas carol.

Charles Dickens uses a wide variety of literary devices within his book titled A Christmas Carol. Dickens had to use certain literary devices to describe characters in a way that would appeal to the reader. Throughout A Christmas Carol, Dickens uses literary devices such a characterization, symbols, and nature. Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean old grumpy man who despises Christmas and everything joyful. The story, The Christmas Carol, begins with Scrooge and his only employee, Bob Cratchit, in their counting […]

Charity in a Christmas Carol and It’s Long Term Effect

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a classic story that has been around for ages. This story has changed people’s view and feelings about the Christmas season. Written during a time of poverty for Dickens this story is still helping others to this day, as some of the charities he gave to and set up are still donating money they raise during the Christmas season. A Christmas Carol has changed the way that we view Christmas. Dickens also wrote […]

The Influence of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens’ legacy was using his novels and other works to reveal a world of poverty and unimaginable struggles. His vivid descriptions of the life of street children in the city, workhouses and Yorkshire boarding schools lead to many reforms. His works describing the corruption of the politics and justice system put the system under intense scrutiny. His strongly written characters inspired people, whether to found orphanages for children whose mothers could not care for them, to found schools to […]

The Development of Ebenezer Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist of the ?Christmas Carol The Musical?. He is the mean old owner of an accountant’s office in London. The musical follows Scrooge as three spirits of Christmas visit him in hopes of reversing his penny-pinching, cold-hearted approach to life. Scrooge realizes the errors of his ways throughout the musical and transforms to a more caring and compassionate citizen. Dickens uses Scrooge to criticize the divide between those who have money and those who do not, […]

Motif, Symbol, and Theme – Examples

Motif, symbol, and theme: does one grasp the distinction between these 3 literary terms? due to the reciprocity of those devices, folks usually use them interchangeably—and incorrectly. after you scan a book, you may notice continual themes inside the text, that sometimes influence the plot and supply clues into the plot or conflict occurring. so as to make and make a case for the theme, the author can use symbols and motifs. several readers absolutely perceive what a logo is, […]

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Summary of a Christmas Carol

In the story A Christmas Carol is about a Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man who on christmas day is visited by ghosts. He was first visited by his old business partner, Jacob Marley to warn him about the ghosts that will be coming. Ebenezer Decides not to believe him until the ghost of christmas past visits him. The ghost shows him all of the bad things he has done in the past. He is shown how he has treated people […]

The Origins of Christmas

“The word Christmas comes from the shortening of the term Christ’s Mass, a time for piety and religious devotion. However, early Europeans were celebrating light and birth in the darkest days of winter centuries before the birth of Christ. Long before the inception of Christianity, pagans in different parts of Europe welcomed the winter solstice with feasts and festivities. Despite the Church’s efforts to consecrate these pagan holidays, Christmas was still a time of rowdy celebrations that emphasized the social […]

Greed? what is Greed?

Greed is intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, power, or food(Merriam-Webster). Heavily talked about in the novel A Christmas Carol through the character Scrooge, who changes his whole perspective on life after he has some ghosts visit him. In In the novel A Christmas Carol, it is prime to know about the author and historical era so as to analyze the characterization and theme of the literary work. The Industrial Revolution–what exactly is the Industrial Revolution one […]

Review on a Christmas Carol

From childhood, my favorite holiday has always been Christmas. One book-turned-movie I long to see during this mystical holiday is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Like many Christmas stories, it depicts men at their worst through greed, society, and family values. Later, they grow to appreciate all they have now, then, and in the future. By way of intervention, Ebenezer Scrooge receives a life or death lesson with the aid of three ghosts: the ghosts of Christmas past, present […]

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A Christmas Carol

Charles dickens.

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Mini Essays

In what way is A Christmas Carol an allegory? What are the symbolic meanings of the main characters?

A Christmas Carol is an allegory in that it features events and characters with a clear, fixed symbolic meaning. In the novella, Scrooge represents all the values that are opposed to the idea of Christmas--greed, selfishness, and a lack of goodwill toward one's fellow man. The Ghost of Christmas Past, with his glowing head symbolizing the mind, represents memory; the Ghost of Christmas Present represents generosity, empathy, and the Chri stmas spirit; and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come represents the fear of death and moral reckoning. The Cratchits represent the poor, whom Dickens portrays with warmth and sympathy while seeking to draw attention to their plight.

Read about another allegorical work, Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Masque of the Red Death.”

How does the time scheme of A Christmas Carol function? Why might Dickens have chosen to structure his book in this way?

Time is very important in A Christmas Carol, which is structurally centered around distinct elements of Past, Present, and Future. But, the time scheme of the story itself seems to make little sense. On Christmas Eve, Jacob Marley's ghost tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts on three successive nights. On Christmas morning, Scrooge awakes, having already been visited by all three ghosts. The three nights seem to be compressed into a single night. The presence of the spirits apparently bends the normal flow of time. A view further supported b y the fact that Scrooge goes to bed at two o'clock in the morning after Marley's visitation and awakes at midnight the same night--two hours after he fell asleep. Dickens uses the tem poral inconsistencies to emphasize the supernatural powers of the spirits--when they are around, normal earthly standards, including the flow of time, have no effect.

Read a mini essay about the effect of non-linear time in Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town .

What role does social criticism play in A Christmas Carol ? To what extent is the story a social commentary?

Social commentary--particularly those statements directed at the Poor Laws governing the lower classes during Dickens' time--plays an important but not a central role in A Christmas Carol . Dickens often uses Scrooge as a mouthpiece to express the more callous justifications and excuses used to defend the harsh treatment of the poor. Malthus' theory that anyone who could not support himself did not have a right to live is a good example of these outrageous claims. Asked whether he wishes to sup port a charity, Scrooge replies that he does support charities--prisons and workhouses, which are all the charity the poor need. Dickens harshly criticizes these attitudes and presents a highly sympathetic view of the poor through his depiction of the Cratchits. On the whole, however, the numerous messages of A Christmas Carol expand far beyond this narrow political critique of Victorian society.

Read about the related theme of the failure of charity in Charles Dickens’s more explicit social commentary, Oliver Twist .

A Christmas Carol (SparkNotes Literature Guide)

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COMMENTS

  1. Why Did Charles Dickens Write “A Christmas Carol”?

    There were two significant reasons why Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol.” The first was the fact that his latest book was not selling and led him into serious financial trouble.

  2. Who Are the Four Ghosts in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens?

    The four ghosts who appear in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens are Jacob Marley, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. All four visit Ebenezer Scrooge within the span of a ...

  3. Why Is There Christmas?

    Christmas began as a celebration of the nativity story of Jesus in Rome in 354. It had been celebrated even earlier by Christians in the East, but they incorporated it into their Epiphany celebration on Jan. 6, which focused more on Jesus’ ...

  4. A Christmas Carol Thesis Statements and Essay Topics

    A Christmas Carol Thesis Statements and Essay Topics · Topic #1 Varieties of Disabilities · Topic #2 The Ability to Change One's Personality · Topic #3 Thinking

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    Dickens is trying to warn/teach/criticise/celebrate/reveal the importance of... ... In the Novella, A Christmas Carol, Dickens presents

  6. A Christmas Carol Thesis

    A Christmas Carol: Themes Compassion & Forgiveness Dickens, throughout the novella, wanted to convey compassion—something that many people within the higher-

  7. Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Thesis

    Morality is a significant theme in the novel. While Scrooge may have the comfort that wealth

  8. A Christmas Carol Essays

    Our free essay examples on "A Christmas Carol" are designed to help you answer all questions and easily write any paper.

  9. THESIS STATEMENT

    View THESIS STATEMENT - A Christmas Carol.docx from MATH, ENGL 73 at Kingston University. THESIS STATEMENT – A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens uses the

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    A Christmas Carol Theme Essay A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, presents the theme that even the most despicable people are capable of changing for the

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    Free Essays from Bartleby | The play “A Christmas Carol” was written by Charles John Huffam Dickens, playwright who was born on February 7,1813.

  12. What is a good thesis statement for A Christmas Carol?

    There's a good deal of evidence to suggest that a difficult childhood, where Scrooge was abandoned at a miserable boarding school and alienated by his family

  13. A Christmas Carol Essay Examples

    Free essays about A Christmas Carol ➤ Proficient writing team ✐ Best quality of every paper ✓ Largest database of essay examples on PapersOwl.com!

  14. Mini Essays

    A Christmas Carol is an allegory in that it features events and characters with a clear, fixed symbolic meaning. In the novella, Scrooge represents all the