Blog 49: Bah Humbug

Art from A Christmas Carol, illustrated by Mark Summers

Christmas can mean different things to different people. Not just dependent on your religion, or if you even have one, but what you are going through, maybe you are dealing with grief or struggling with illness. There are a lot of people going through financial difficulties, and this time of year just ramps up the stress of those expectations as to what Christmas should be like.

If we want to look at an example of a contrasting Christmas in literature, we would quite easily fall upon Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, named because he wished for the moral of the story to be as familiar as the carols sung every year. The theme, the character arc of Scrooge and the supernatural element of the ghosts of past, present and future have obviously made an impact. As here we are, 182 years since it was published, still reading it, watching it on TV, in the theatres, and there is even a much-loved Muppet version of it.

Thinking of my own Christmas past, I recall waking up feeling the weight of a sack full of presents on my bed, realising Father Christmas had magically left it while, despite my excitement, I had slept. I have fond memories of meeting up at church on Christmas mornings, singing carols and exchanging Christmas cards. And, one year, having a Christingle service with candles, where a friend managed to set the end of her hair on fire during prayer time. Luckily, my nan, who was sitting behind her, noticed or could smell burning, and patted it out before she realised. I also remember when my two girls were small, and they would rip into their presents so quickly, as if they would disappear if they took too long to open them. I sat there unable to work out which family and friends had bought them which presents. And I wondered how on earth my mum had been able to make an organised list of gift givers when my brother and I had opened ours at that age for us to write thank you letters.

We all have our favourite memories of Christmas, as well as stories and programmes that we enjoy at this time of year. Any story associated with Christmas is going to be remembered, but the theme of A Christmas Carol, looking after the poor, being generous and thankful, has certainly stood the test of time and is still relevant today as it was when Dickens wrote it.

Firstly, what is a theme? Well, it’s the overall message of the story, the idea or concept that the reader can resonate with. It could be: Good vs. Evil, Coming of Age, Man vs. Nature, or Love Conquers All.

Secondly, why do you need one? Knowing the theme of your story is important when you come to write the blurb and sell the idea to an agent, publisher or the public when it is time for marketing. And, during the drafting process, once you know what the underlying message is, the easier it will be to tie your plot together, which can make for a smoother storyline.

So, when you are writing your story, how do you find a theme that your audience will connect with? Dickens chose his after experiencing poverty, when at age 12 he was forced to work in a factory after his father was sent to debtors’ prison, and the fact that there was such a difference between how the poor had to live compared to the rich. At a time when goodwill and charity was the message of Christmas, he wanted to make that message a little louder.

How to choose your theme: -

1. What is important to you? Choosing something that is close to your heart will definitely have a bigger impact. If it’s something you know a lot about and have a lived experience with, then use it.

   
   

2. What’s going on right now? There may be a hot topic that is playing on everyone’s mind at the moment that feels relevant and engaging. Perhaps, like Dickens, there is an up-to-date issue that you could bring out in the open that your character has to face.

   
   

3. Popular themes for your genre. Take note of popular themes in other stories of the same genre. Readers recognise and enjoy specific messages within a plot. We read and see them when we watch films and TV programmes. You don’t have to try and grasp a new idea. The best themes are the ones that people know well and can get on board with.

   
   

4. Has it already been decided? Once you have begun writing about your character and their situation, the theme may have already come about on its own. Of course, there can be several or many themes in a story, but there is usually a major one that pulls everything together.

Linking your story to an occasion, such as Christmas, would make it more memorable. Therefore, if you were thinking of writing a Christmas-type story, here are some examples of the themes in these books to give you some ideas: -

A Christmas Carol – Looking after the poor, transformation and redemption, charity, poverty, Christmas spirit, death and loss, Christmas traditions, responsibility.

The Snowman – innocence of childhood, imagination, fleeting joy, love and inevitable loss, friendship.

The Polar Express – belief and faith, doubt vs. hope, loss and rediscovery of childhood wonder, the spirit of Christmas, friendship, and connection.

The Elves and the Shoemaker – kindness and generosity, gratitude, reward for hard work and virtue, unexpected help, action vs. words.

I hope you're all looking forward to Christmas and are way better prepared for it than me. But if you aren’t, then please know that you’re not the only one. Make sure to talk to someone. Don’t feel alone at this time of year. There is always someone who can help you.

Catch you next time.