A Christmas Carol (Critique)
My critique of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. It's good, sure, and the original has spawned many adaptions... but I have beef with the moral message. Read on, why not 😁
Iconic, picturesque and spooky.
A nauseatingly sentimental promotion of crass consumerism.
Scrooge has no arc; he's just moved by terror from one extreme view to the opposite. His motivation is corrupt. Still a terrible person, but now buys love with generosity.
🤢
We have Christmas Day off now, though, yay!
About the Creator
L.C. Schäfer
Book babies on Kindle Unlimited:
Summer Leaves (grab it while it's gorgeous)
Never so naked as I am on a page
Subscribe for n00dz
I'm not a writer! I've just had too much coffee!
Sometimes writes under S.E.Holz
Keep reading
More stories from L.C. Schäfer and writers in Critique and other communities.
Thou Shalt Not Set Fire to a Nunnery
"You're going to have to help me move the body." Julie stood in the doorway to my room, which was a cell really, and she was as close to breathless as I'd ever seen her. She looked dashing in the moonlight, and lit up with the glow of adventure.
By L.C. SchäferExclusive • about a month ago
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH5 days ago in Critique
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal4 days ago in Resources
Comments (12)
I’m teaching this one next term so I’ll see what the kids come up with! My first instinct is to immediately disagree with your take, and it’s something I’ve never considered, but that’s the beauty of opinion right? I’ll have to keep it in mind when re-reading:)
LOL, love it. I have my own take on ACC which I don't think is posted here. Not sure if I like it. I might consider adapting it next Yuletide. Some of the film versions are worth watching. I liked the one with George C. Scott playing Mr S. Of all Mr D's books I think this is the best (of a bad lot).
I get your take on this story. It’s “Scared Straight” for the wealthy and crass. Lol. Good job.
I love that story. I have watched every version, plus read the book. What I get is, he got so caught up in said consumerism, greed overtook his soul, he lost his love by means of neglect. Got bitter, miserly and lost, lost his best friend. Lost his way, then he was shown the folly of his ways and changed for the better. I find it to be a great moral lesson. How to balance one's life to have a happy continuation into forever.
What do you mean L.C !? How is it crass consumerism..? I thought it was the opposite.. I just read it last year for the first time. We need to get a panel show asap! 😁
Oh wow, never thought of it like this "he's just moved by terror" that's true! Hm, maybe he didn't really become a better person. It's like how they say, it's not about what you do when people are watching, it's what you do when no one is watching... also kind of what you do when there is nothing to gain from it... or without fear as a motivator. I liked your different take on this!
I've never watched this but your review made a lot of sense and I agree with you!
nice
Made me laugh! Never viewed it like that before. I reckon Dickens would argue with you about the message. As an aside, I know where that picture was taken of the door knocker!
The subtitle alone was more than enough of a critique...LOL. When you break Scrooge down like that, it feels like the description of a lot of people in this world.
Lol, love this. I’d have to sit on your take longer, haha…I read the book years ago and felt it had a slightly more nuanced message than the movies. But I like that there’s room for debate with this one. 💜
Greed is not always good?