Dickens’ Inspiration For A Christmas Carol

“Marley was dead: to begin with.”

And with those six words starts one of the most iconic stories ever told.

It is in a snowy winter in London that we first meet Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man who has become bitter with life. He is known for being cold and selfish and profits off his impoverished community, financially benefitting from their labour whilst paying measly wages to his employees—sounds somewhat relevant today, doesn’t it?

Later, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future show Scrooge what he needs to see before it’s too late to save his soul, and we get to witness the mistakes of his past, the emptiness of his present, and the dark future that awaits him.

Few stories capture the spirit of Christmas like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Published on December 19, 1843, it quickly became a hit, selling out its first 6,000 copies within a week and cementing Dickens’ reputation as a storyteller who could move audiences to laughter, tears, and action. Even now, almost 200 years later, it continues to be retold, from the page to the screen. There’s even one cinematic retelling with Michael Caine playing the Scrooge role as seriously as a car crash… alongside a supporting cast of muppets.

So just what inspired Dickens to write the classic tale?

Dickens Grew Up In Poverty

Dickens’ motivation for writing A Christmas Carol was deeply rooted in his own early life. Born into a middle-class family, his fortunes took a sharp turn in 1824 when his father was imprisoned for debt. At just 12 years old, Dickens was sent to work in a blacking factory, pasting labels on pots of shoe polish in grim conditions. The experience left an indelible mark. He later described feeling “utterly neglected and hopeless,” sentiments that would later infuse his depictions of characters like Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family.

While Dickens eventually escaped the clutches of poverty, his exposure to the hardships faced by children and families in Victorian England stayed with him. By the time he wrote A Christmas Carol, he was a man haunted by the plight of the poor, particularly children, and determined to use his voice to inspire change.

Dickens’ Social Conscience

The 1840s were a time of economic depression, mass unemployment, and widespread poverty. Industrialisation had drawn families into overcrowded cities, where conditions were squalid, and even children were expected to work to make ends meet. Many laboured in factories, mines, and workhouses, often for up to sixteen—yes, sixteen—hours a day. Life expectancy for these young workers rarely exceeded their mid-20s.

Dickens’ observations of these conditions were eye-opening. These charity-run institutions provided basic education but were poorly funded, overcrowded, and rife with disease. Dickens was horrified, describing the environment as “sickening” and haunted by the sight of boys and girls “with nothing natural to youth about them.” This visit solidified his determination to shine a light on the devastating effects of poverty and neglect.

Dickens’ outrage extended to the workhouses, infamous for their dehumanising conditions and punitive treatment of the poor. Designed to discourage reliance on public assistance, they separated families by gender and forced residents to labour in exchange for meagre sustenance. Dickens’ depiction of Bob Cratchit’s precarious position as Scrooge’s underpaid employee captured the real fear of families being driven to such dire straits.

Fiction Over Fact

Initially, Dickens planned to write a pamphlet titled An Appeal to the People of England on behalf of the Poor Man’s Child. However, he soon realised that a simple pamphlet wouldn’t deliver the emotional impact he desired. Fiction, he decided, could convey his message with “twenty thousand times the force.”

In just six weeks, Dickens poured his anger, empathy, and storytelling prowess into A Christmas Carol. The novella’s supernatural elements and unforgettable characters, from the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to the angelic Tiny Tim, allowed Dickens to weave his social commentary into an engaging and accessible tale. At its heart was a call for empathy and action: a reminder that the well-being of society’s most vulnerable is everyone’s responsibility.
One of the most poignant moments in the story comes when the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals two emaciated children hidden beneath his robe: Ignorance and Want. These allegorical figures warn of the consequences of neglecting the poor, especially children, whose futures are shaped by the opportunities—or lack thereof—afforded to them. This chilling scene, often omitted from modern adaptations, underscores Dickens’ belief that societal indifference to poverty was a moral failing.

Dickens’ Dire Finances

Though Dickens’ social conscience was a major driving force, his personal circumstances also played a role in the creation of A Christmas Carol. In 1843, his latest novel, Martin Chuzzlewit, was selling poorly, and his publishers were threatening to cut his salary. With a growing family to feed and debts to be repaid, Dickens needed a hit—and fast.

Despite the urgency, Dickens spared no effort in ensuring his novella was a masterpiece. He would often take long walks around London at night, conjuring scenes and dialogue as he roamed the city streets. The story came together quickly, with Dickens completing the 30,000-word manuscript in just over a month. Yet his financial gamble didn’t pay off as expected. To ensure the book met his exacting standards, Dickens paid for the publication himself, demanding luxurious bindings and gilt-edged pages. Priced at the equivalent of £25 today, the book was a commercial success but left Dickens with a fraction of the profits he had hoped for. Still, the novella’s enduring popularity ensured that his financial woes were eventually eased, particularly through public readings that he performed until his death.

Why It Matters Today

Nearly two centuries later, A Christmas Carol remains as relevant as ever. The issues Dickens grappled with—child poverty, income inequality, and the moral obligation to care for the less fortunate—continue to resonate. Scrooge’s transformation from a selfish miser to a compassionate benefactor serves as a timeless reminder that it’s never too late to change and make a difference.

Charles Dickens’ motivations for writing the novella were deeply personal, profoundly empathetic, and undeniably practical. Whether driven by his own experiences of hardship, his desire to spark social reform, or his need to pay the bills, he created a story that transcends its origins to become a universal tale of hope and humanity. As we sit down to Turkey and all the trimmings (while trying to avoid eye contact with the Brussels sprouts), it’s worth remembering the message at the heart of A Christmas Carol: that the true spirit of Christmas lies in kindness.

Many happy returns this festive season, and have a happy new year too!