Christmas Carols

Synopsis

Everyone loves a Christmas carol - in the end, even Scrooge. They have the power to summon up a special kind of midwinter mood, like the aroma of mince pies and mulled wine and the twinkle of lights on a tree. It's a kind of magic. But how did they get that magic? In Christmas Carols Andrew Gant tells the story of some twenty carols, each accompanied by lyrics and music, unravelling a captivating - and often surprising - tale of great musicians and thinkers, saints and pagans, shepherd boys, choirboys, monks and drunks. We delve into the history of such favourites as 'Good King Wenceslas', 'Away in a Manger' and 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', discovering along the way how 'Hark, the Herald angels sing' came to replace 'Hark, how all the welkin ring' and how Ralph Vaughan Williams bolted the tune of an English folk song about a dead ox to a poem by a nineteenth-century American pilgrim to make 'O little town of Bethlehem'. Christmas Carols brims with anecdote, expert knowledge and Christmas spirit. It is a fittingly joyous account of one of our best-loved musical traditions.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Ghost of Jacob Marley

* Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the consequences of his greed. Marley is condemned to wander the earth with heavy chains because he was selfish and unkind in life.
* Example: Scrooge's cold and heartless treatment of his employees and the poor.

Chapter 2: The First of the Three Spirits

* The Ghost of Christmas Past visits Scrooge and shows him scenes from his childhood and young adulthood.
* Example: Scrooge remembers his happy days with his younger sister Fan and his love for Belle.

Chapter 3: The Second of the Three Spirits

* The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to observe the Christmas festivities of various individuals, including his nephew Fred and the impoverished Cratchit family.
* Example: Scrooge sees the joy of Christmas at Fred's party and the poverty and illness at the Cratchit's home.

Chapter 4: The Third of the Three Spirits

* The Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come shows Scrooge the future, where he is alone and unmourned after his death.
* Example: Scrooge witnesses his own funeral and the fate of the Cratchits without Tiny Tim.

Chapter 5: The End of It

* Scrooge is transformed by his encounters with the three spirits and becomes a kinder and more generous person.
* Example: Scrooge gives Bob Cratchit a salary increase, donates to the poor, and spends Christmas with Fred and his family.

Chapter 6: A Commentary

* The author reflects on the themes of the story and the importance of empathy and compassion.
* Example: The author discusses how Scrooge's conversion is a reminder that it is never too late to change and that kindness can make the world a better place.

Additional Real Example:

* Chapter 2: Scrooge's recollection of his love for Belle could be compared to the real-life experiences of someone who has lost a loved one due to their own selfishness or neglect.
* Chapter 3: The Cratchit family's Christmas feast, despite their poverty, highlights the idea that happiness can be found in even the most challenging circumstances.
* Chapter 4: Scrooge's vision of his own future foreshadows the consequences of his continued greed and isolation.
* Chapter 5: Scrooge's transformation represents the hope that all people have the capacity for redemption and positive change.