Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol — A Short Commentary
How many adaptations of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens exists? The short answer is hundreds.
There have been countless — and yes I did try to count and gave up- adaptations such as:
- theatrical productions
- musicals
- live-action films
- animated films
- made for TV performances with live studio audiences
- TV movies & TV series & Animated TV movies
- direct to DVD movies
- radio & studio recording albums
- operas, ballets
- graphic novels, comic strips
- parodies & derivative works
- music
- an online performance over zoom
- video game adaptations
- podcasts, audiobooks and audio dramas (such as those voiced by Patrick Stewart and Tim Curry).
The first theater adaptation was in 1844, only one year after the first publication of the novella. Since then it’s been ICONIC.
The ghosts, the religious undertones like metanoia, self-reflective narrative, the winter/ Christmas setting, and troubling subjects like poverty, greed and selfishness; it’s subject matter doubt applicable even in our present time.
It’s a narrative difficult to escape because it’s an iconic stable within our culture. It’s also relatable. As Christmas time is so close to New Years, many people are reflecting on their past and pivoting their mindset to their future. This in combination with the cozy Christmas setting makes it inescapable.
You may be asking yourself, if I’ve come across so many adaptations why should I even bother reading the book? I don’t blame you if you do. That’s exactly how I felt. However, it a period piece. In that classic Victorian era tone. It’s rich in symbolism and allegory.
A Christmas ghost story about metanoia which means, “to change one’s mind; to expand it in such a way as to have a new perspective on the world or one’s self.”
And if none of that has convinced you, did I mention it’s a short novel? According the online site, Reading Length, the novella will only take the average reading 1 hour and 4 minutes.
Well, I hope this has inspired you to pick up the novel if you haven’t already. Although many adaptations successfully capture the spirit of the novella, none do present the original work in its entirety. There’s a valid reason it’s ICONIC; because it’s a masterpiece.
