A Christmas Carol: The End of It - Dateline NBC

Summary

Dateline NBC Podcast Summary: "A Christmas Carol: The End of It"

Introduction

In the final episode of "A Christmas Carol: The End of It," Dateline NBC delves deep into the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, exploring his profound transformation from a miserly, isolated figure to a benevolent and cherished member of society. Hosted by Keith Morrison, the episode intricately weaves the narrative of Dickens' timeless story with insightful commentary, highlighting themes of redemption, compassion, and the enduring human spirit.

Scrooge’s Transformation

The episode begins with Keith Morrison setting the stage for Ebenezer Scrooge’s ultimate change. After encountering the three spirits of Christmas—Past, Present, and Future—Scrooge faces a dire vision where both he and Tiny Tim have perished, unnoticed and unmourned by society (01:04). This haunting revelation propels Scrooge into a desperate quest for redemption.

Key Turning Point

At [01:04], Morrison narrates the pivotal moment when Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, a changed man ready to embrace a second chance. Scrooge exclaims, “A Merry Christmas to everybody. A Happy New Year to all the world” (03:15), symbolizing his newfound joy and generosity. This shift is marked by his immediate actions to amend his past misdeeds, showcasing his commitment to change.

Interactions and Acts of Kindness

One of the most touching segments occurs when Scrooge interacts with the butcher’s boy to purchase a prize turkey. He offers the boy incentives: “Come back with that man and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes and I'll give you a half crown” (09:45). This gesture not only secures a grand feast for the Cratchit family but also exemplifies Scrooge’s transformation from selfishness to selflessness.

Moreover, Scrooge’s behavior towards his employees changes dramatically. Upon realizing Bob Cratchit’s late arrival to work, Scrooge initially reacts harshly but swiftly rectifies his mistake by announcing, “A merry Christmas to you, sir. Mr. Scrooge” and promising to “raise your salary and endeavor to assist your struggling family” (12:30). This moment underscores the genuine remorse and commitment to bettering the lives of those he once disregarded.

Community and Personal Relationships

Scrooge’s newfound generosity extends beyond his workplace. He eagerly participates in community activities, attends church, and engages warmly with children and the less fortunate. At [10:22], Morrison narrates how Scrooge “watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted the children on the head, and questioned the beggars," illustrating his profound connection to society and empathy for others.

A particularly poignant interaction occurs when Scrooge visits his nephew Fred. Despite years of estrangement, Scrooge approaches with humility and warmth: “My dear sir, said Scrooge, quickening his pace and taking the old gentleman by both his hands, how d'ye do? I hope you succeeded yesterday” (13:05). This reconciliation signifies Scrooge’s complete transformation into a loving and supportive family member.

Historical Context and Dickens’ Influence

Toward the episode's conclusion, Keith Morrison provides a powerful context about Charles Dickens himself. Highlighting Dickens' difficult childhood—where his family was imprisoned for debt and he was forced to work in harsh conditions—Morrison draws parallels between Dickens' experiences and the themes of poverty and compassion in "A Christmas Carol" (16:40). Morrison reflects, “Maybe that's why for the rest of his life, Charles Dickens championed the poor, the vulnerable among us, hoping to show what good it would do if we were all just a little bit kinder” (19:50).

Conclusion

Keith Morrison wraps up the episode by celebrating Scrooge’s redemption and the timeless message of "A Christmas Carol." He emphasizes the importance of kindness, generosity, and the capacity for personal change: “May that be truly said of us and all of us. And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, every one” (21:00). The episode serves as both a retelling and a deeper analysis of Dickens' work, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and the impact of their actions on others.

Through meticulous narration and thoughtful commentary, Dateline NBC's "A Christmas Carol: The End of It" not only honors Dickens' legacy but also reinforces the enduring relevance of his message in today’s world.

Notable Quotes

Scrooge (03:15): “A Merry Christmas to everybody. A Happy New Year to all the world.”
Scrooge (09:45): “Come back with that man and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes and I'll give you a half crown.”
Narration by Keith Morrison (16:40): “Maybe that's why for the rest of his life, Charles Dickens championed the poor, the vulnerable among us, hoping to show what good it would do if we were all just a little bit kinder.”
Final Reflection (21:00): “May that be truly said of us and all of us. And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, every one.”

Credits

"Morrison Mysteries" is a production of Dateline NBC and NBC News, featuring senior producers Charmia Ling and Liz Brown, associate producer Carson Cummins, sound mixing by Bob Mallory and Katherine Anderson, and audio production head Bryson Barnes.

Transcript

Keith Morrison (0:01)

When work gets crazy, I like to stop by the bar after have a few cold ones. I don't drink at all until 4:00.

Ryan Reynolds (0:09)

We limit ourselves to one bottle of wine a night.

Bob Cratchit (0:12)

Excessive drinking has a way of sneaking up on us. A few drinks, a few nights a week, it can add up and suddenly we're at greater risk for long term problems like heart disease, cancer and depression. Reason enough to rethink to drink more at Rethink to Drink? No Ha. Initiative.

Ryan Reynolds (0:31)

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Keith Morrison (1:04)

I'm Keith Morrison and this is the final episode of A Christmas Carol. It's a wonder Ebenezer Scrooge has made it this far. In our story, the last ghost he met, the spirit of Christmas Future, showed him terrible things. Tiny Tim was dead and so was Scrooge the though not one single soul mourned him, all of it, Scrooge sees, could have been prevented if only he had been a better person. He is tortured now, and as the last ghost disappears, Scrooge is desperate to atone for his sins. As we pick up the story, Scrooge is suddenly back in his own bedroom, everything just as it always was. It's Christmas morning and old Ebenezer, the most hated man in all of London, is about to get the most precious gift of all, a second chance. The bed was his own, the room was his own. Best and happiest of all the time before him was his own. To make amends in I will live in the past, the present, or the future, Scrooge repeated as he scrambled out of bed. The spirits of all three shall strive within me, oh Jacob Marley, Heaven and the Christmas time be praised for this. I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees. He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call. He had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the spirit, and his face was wet with tears. They're not torn down. Cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed curtains in his arms. They're not torn down. Rings and all. Here they are. I am here the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled. They will be. I know they will be. His hands were busy with his garments all this time, turning them inside out, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislaying them, making them parties to every kind of extravagance. I don't know what to do. Cried Scrooge, laughing and crying at the same breath. I am as light as a feather. I'm as happy as an angel. I'm as merry as a schoolboy. I'm as giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to everybody. A Happy New Year to all the world. He had frisked into the sitting room and was now standing there perfectly winded. There's the saucepan the gruel was in. Cried Scrooge, starting off again and going round the fireplace. And there's the door by which the ghost of Jacob Marley entered. There's the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Presents sat. There's the window where I saw the wandering spirits. It's all right. It's all true. It all happened, really. For a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh. A most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs. I don't know what day of the month it is, said Scrooge. I don't know how long I've been among the spirits. I don't know anything. I'm quite a baby. Never mind. I don't care. I'd rather be a baby. He was checked at his transports by the churches, ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Running to the window, he opened it and put out his head. No fog, no mist. It was clear and bright and jovial and stirring. And cold, cold piping for the blood to dance to. Golden sunlight, heavenly sky, sweet fresh air, merry bells. Oh, glorious, glorious. What's today? Cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him. Eh? Returned the boy with all his might of wonder. What's today, my fine fellow? Said Scrooge. Today? Replied the boy. Why, it's Christmas Day. It's Christmas Day, said Scrooge to himself. I haven't missed it. The spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Of course they can. Hello, my fine fellow. Hello, returned the boy. Do you know the butchers in the next street but one at the corner? Scrooge inquired. I should hope I did, replied the lad. An intelligent boy, said Scrooge. A remarkable boy. Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there? Not the little prize turkey, the big one. What? The one as big as me, Returned the boy. It's hanging there now. It is, said Scrooge. Go and buy it. I am in earnest. Go and buy it and tell him to bring it here, that I may give them the direction where to take it. Come back with that man and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes and I'll give you a half crown. The boy was off like a shot. I'll send it to Bob Cratchitz, whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands and splitting with a laugh. He shan't know who sends it. It's twice the size of tiny. The hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one, but write it he did somehow, and went downstairs to open the street door, ready for the coming of the butcher's man. As he stood there waiting his arrival, the knocker caught his eye. I shall love it as long as I live. Cried Scrooge, patting it with his hand. I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has in its face. It. It's a wonderful knocker. Here's the turkey. How are you? Merry Christmas. It was a turkey. He never could have stood upon his legs, that bird. He would have snapped him short off in a minute. Why, it's impossible to carry that to Camden Town, said Scrooge. You must have a cab. The chuckle with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid for the turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again and chuckled until he cried. Shaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much. And shaving requires attention even when you don't dance while you're at it. But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a piece of sticking plaster over it and been quite satisfied himself all in his best, and at last got out into the streets. The people were by this time pouring forth as he had seen them with the ghost on Christmas present, and walking with his hands behind him. Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile. He looked so irresistibly pleasant in a word, that three or four good humored fellows said, good morning, sir, a Merry Christmas to you. And Scrooge said often afterwards, that of all the happy sounds he ever heard, those were the happiest in his ears. He had not gone far when, coming on towards him, he beheld the portly gentleman who had walked into his counting house the day before, and said, scrooge and Marley's, I believe. It sent a pang across his heart to think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met. But he knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it. My dear sir, said Scrooge, quickening his pace and taking the old gentleman by both his hands, how d'ye do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir. Mr. Scrooge. Yes, said Scrooge. That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness here? Scrooge whispered in his ear. Lord bless me. Cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious? If you please, said Scrooge. Not a farthing less. A great many back payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favor, my dear sir? Said the other, shaking hands with him. I don't know what to say. Don't say anything, please, retorted Scrooge. Come and see me. Will you come and see me. I will. Cried the old gentleman, and it was clear he meant to do it. Thank you, said Scrooge. I am much obliged to you. I thank you 50 times. Bless you. He went to church, and he walked about the streets, and he watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted the children on the head, and questioned the beggars and looked down into the kitchens of houses and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk, that anything, could give him so much happiness. In the afternoon, he turned his steps toward his nephew's house. His nephew, the bright and sparkling young man whose optimism stood fast even in the face of Scrooge's unforgiving misery. He could turn Scrooge away, of course. And who would blame him, really?