【電子書】A Christmas Carol（II） 圣诞故事集：圣诞颂歌/小气财神（英文版）

Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol at a time when the British were examining and exploring Christmas traditions from the past, such as carols, as well as new customs such as Christmas trees. He was influenced by experiences from his own past, and from the Christmas stories of other authors, including Washington Irving and Douglas Jerrold. Dickens had written three Christmas stories prior to the novella, and was inspired to write the story following a visit to the Field Lane Ragged school, one of several establishments for London's half-starved, illiterate street children. It's a very special Christmas Eve when Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. This short story is a Christmas classic featuring the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a self-interested man redeeming himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story. There is discussion among academics as to whether this was a fully secular story, or if it is a Christian allegory.