Mr. Dickens And His Carol

How does the inclusion of Eleanor Lovejoy and her son impact the story, and how does the presence of these characters influence Charles Dickens’s writing process? Use at least three examples from the text to support your analysis.

Charles Dickens’s and Eleanor Lovejoy’s attachment is implied to be romantic. Analyze at least three passages that support this implication.

How does the revelation of Eleanor being a ghost affect the story? What was the author’s reason for including this twist, and how does it relate to the original story of A Christmas Carol?

What effect does the three-part structure have on the narrative, and how does the story shift in tone and focus with each section?

The novel often features elements of classism. How well is this issue explored in the novel, and what does its presence suggest about the realities of consumerism in Victorian England?

The novel shows rampant, unpunished plagiarism of Dickens’s works. How does this situation reflect the copyright laws in Victorian England?

What effects do the novel’s artistic liberties have on the story of Dickens’s life? Highlight at least three serious departures that the author makes from historical records, and explain the stylistic purposes that they serve.

How does the Scrooge disguise create authentic connections between Silva’s novel and Dickens’s original story? How does the common knowledge of Scrooge affect readers’ understanding of Dickens as a character?