In this radio programme (which can be downloaded), three academics discuss A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens was 31 when it was published in 1843; it was an in

In this radio programme (which can be downloaded), three academics discuss A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens was 31 when it was published in 1843; it was an instant bestseller. Some random discussion points in the programme: - The conceit of seeing the past, present and the future has an immediately appeal to every reader. - Scrooge is an unpleasant character, but Dickens doesn't want the reader hate him. Instead, the reader accompanies Scrooge on his journey. - Is there a bit of Scrooge in all of us (including Dickens)? - Is Dickens a sentimental writer? - Is Dickens too wordy a writer? He is prone to excessive adjectives ("Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!"). The guests think it makes the text lively. - Dickens creates vivid descriptions of 'cut-aways' and 'transitions' - one of the reasons the work transfers so successfully to stage and film. - Dickens believed people could change. In constrast, fellow novelist Charlotte Brontë did not really believed people's true nature could change (according to one of the guests).