Charles Dickens
The one story that so captivated me, all those years ago was a story called..... 'A Christmas Carol'.
It was a Christmas Ghost story. There was a film made about it in 1951 and my sister Norma, took my brother Clive and I to see it, at The West Derby Cinema, in the village where we lived.
What a fabulous film it was too, it was screened in black and white, which made it more realistic, particularly in the 'ghostly' scenes!
I think we spent most of the time hiding under our coats because it was so scary.
My sister, who was eight years older, used to read it to my brother and I in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The underlying theme of the story was about a Miser called Ebenezer Scrooge, Scrooge's meanness, and in particular, the way in which he treated poor Bob Cratchit, his Articled Clerk.He made him work very long hours in the office, which was very cold and damp he knew Bob had a large family to feed yet gave him a pittance to live upon.
However, Scrooge was to have an Epiphany.
On going to bed on Christmas Eve, he fell into a deep slumber, and had the most frightening dream which illustrated his meanness. It pointed out how his life would be if carried on being so mean and it was not a nice picture. He was visited by ghosts in various forms, including his former partner, Jacob Marley. I won't go through the whole synopsis as I feel most of the readers will already have read this enchanting story. if you haven't I implore you to do so.
Some illustrations to help with the story line, |
| The Ghost of the Christmas Present |
Marley's ghost
The magnificent St George's Hall Liverpool
and
Charles Dickens
Entrance
Magnificent Main Hall
EntranceCharles Dickens used to give readings of his works in the Small concert hall. They were called 'The Penny Readings' and insisted that people were charged just one penny to enable even the poorest to attend.
He used to travel to Liverpool from London to give readings in the magnificent St Georges Hall. He loved Liverpool and said 'excepting London, it was his favourite city'. He was also quoted, as saying that 'Liverpool is a city that has a love affair with words' and described it as 'that rich and beautiful Port' !
As it is my quest to keep my beloved city in the picture of this round of Abcw I am trying to keep a link between each post. I could have written so much more about Charles Dickens and Liverpool and will when the next relevant letter appears.
My sincere thanks to the Delightful Denise for Devising Abcw and also to the dashing Roger for administrating Abcw so diligently
