A Christmas Tree by Charles Dickens

Author: Charles Dickens | Published: 1850

A Christmas Tree Synopsis

"A Christmas Tree" is a short story by English author Charles Dickens. It was published in Household Words weekly journal on December 21, 1850.

The narrator begins by describing the magical experience of setting up and decorating a Christmas tree, recalling the anticipation and excitement it brings. He reminisces about his childhood and the various ornaments and trinkets that adorned the tree, each holding a special memory or meaning. As the narrator reflects on the decorations, he dives into a series of descriptions, each associated with a particular ornament or aspect of the Christmas tree. These descriptions touch upon different emotions and experiences related to the holiday season.

Several ghosts are also present in the story. Among them is the ghost of a drowned housekeeper who roams around the corridors attempting to use her spectral keys in various locks. She haunts the entire abode but is particularly drawn to a specific chamber where a portrait of the man who rejected her hangs.

About Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens, the renowned English novelist, and social critic, is known for using satire and humor in his works. He was born in 1812 in Portsmouth, England, to a family of modest means. Throughout his career, he wrote numerous novels, including The Pickwick Papers (1836-37), Oliver Twist (1838), A Christmas Carol (1843), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861). These works have been translated into many languages worldwide and are widely studied literature classics.

The themes Dickens explored in his writings included poverty, injustice, hypocrisy, and oppression, allowing him to highlight Victorian England's social issues. His observations on human psychology are considered ahead of their time as he delved into the motivations behind people's actions. Find out more about Charles Dickens at sevenov.com.