A Christmas Carol

♦ Setting ♦

A Christmas Carol takes place in London during the early 1840s. The story begins at 3 p.m., December 24, in the counting house of Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley. Marley died seven years ago, but Scrooge has not removed his name from the business sign. It is bitterly cold outside, and in the counting house as well because Scrooge does not want to spend money for heat. His only nephew comes in to wish him a Merry Christmas and to invite him to a Christmas party, but Scrooge refuses the invitation and gets rid of his nephew as quickly as possible. He cannot stand so much cheerfulness. Two gentlemen soliciting funds for the poor are sent

Charles Dickens

packing next. At closing time, Scrooge reluctantly gives his clerk, Bob Cratchit. Christmas Day off, then dines in his usual drab restaurant. When he returns to his lodgings, Marley's ghost appears to him. Bound with a heavy chain weighted down with cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses, he warns that Scrooge is doomed to an even more miserable afterlife unless he accepts visits from three spirits who will show him the true way of life.

ISBN 0-933833-11-3 Copyright ©, 1990. by Walton Beacham All rights to this book are reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or in any information or storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information write the publisher, Beacham Publishing. Inc., 2100 "S" Street, N.W.. Washington. D.C. 20008. All Rights Reserved.