EBENEZER SCROOGE: HUMBUG OR HERO?

Although its meaning can apply year-round, the Christmas season is a time where we normally do exchange gifts and remember to have love for our fellow man. There exists a story which takes place around this time of year and reminds us of this: Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Given that the story was originally published 173 years ago and has endured to this day, I feel that it is worth exploring. 

A simple synopsis of this yarn would read something like, “A grouchy old miser who hates Christmas comes to love the holiday after visitation by his old business partner and three spirits.” While this is a general summation of the story, there is so much more to it. 

Scrooge learns many a lesson after his supernatural encounter. He learns to love people, namely his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and Cratchit’s family. He also learns that people aren’t crazy and lazy just because they choose not to focus their lives on building a fortune, as he has. In other words, there is so much more to life than money.

One reason that this tale is of great importance is its applicability. This is to say that, while not everyone is a rich, old, humbug like Scrooge, it is entirely possible for a person to take the moral of the story and apply it to their life. It is of vital importance, especially in this day and age, that we learn to love one another, that there is more to a successful life than wealth, and that, even when life is hard, it is not impossible to share love.

Scrooge’s tale is one that has lasted through the ages and continues to impart the lessons of love, life, and Christmas. Dickens, without a doubt, wrote a most wonderful and fantastic story when he first brought old Scrooge to life all those years ago.

For those interested, there are some upcoming productions of this wonderful tale in the Portland metro area, starting later this month. Go and see the story live; laugh, cry, and come away with a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas and what it means to love your fellow man.

Whadayasay?

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

“Scrooge! The Musical” – Performed at the Sellwood Playhouse, southeast Portland. For tickets and more information: sellwood-playhouse.ticketleap.com/scrooge-the-musical-2019/

“A Christmas Carol” – Staged at the Dolores Winningstad Theatre, downtown Portland. For tickets and more information: portland5.com/winningstad-theatre/events/christmas-carol-musical

“A Christmas Carol” – Presented at the Portland Playhouse, northeast Portland. For tickets and more information: portlandplayhouse.org/shows-events/a-christmas-carol-12/