Any human being can relate to the themes contained in Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol.’ That is the reason why this tale has endured through the decades. The universality of its themes makes it realistic, approachable, easily understood, and closely relating to human experience anywhere – from the time it was published in 1843 right till today.

The plot is simple and quite empathetic. The character of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the most memorable characters in literature. He is the archetypal tight-fisted miser, a recognizable character throughout the world. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is warned by a ghost that if he does not change his selfish, miserly, and uncharitable ways, he will face the same fate as his partner Marley, who has been dead for seven years. Something warns Scrooge that his old ways will be punished if he does not reform. The ghost tells Scrooge that he will be assisted by three spirits that will visit him during the course of the night: they are The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas yet to come.

The theme of poverty and hardship is prevalent in the story. It is also the most apparent. Growing up a poor youth, Dickens not only related so much with the theme of poverty and hardship, he was also able to relate it most realistically based on his material and emotional experiences. He knew how it is to be poor.

One more theme present in the story is yet another universal experience: social injustice as victimizing the poor. This was predominant during the Victorian era in which the story is situated. The effects of industrialization and mechanization were heavily felt during those times. Labor was certainly hard and dangerous. It still is today. It has always been. This is another universality of the story: the realities of labor in a capitalist world.

The story of ‘A Christmas Carol’ is also about the widely-known concept of capitalism. Any one from the free world knows, lives, and breathes capitalism. These people are well aware, for sure, of the attendant evils that capitalism brings, in the form of insatiable greed and boundless desire for wealth. Scrooge is miserly and uncharitable because a capitalist mind will assure himself of self-preservation and the preservation of his wealth. Material paranoia is one of ugliest outcomes of capitalism.

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