I watched my favorite holiday movie over the weekend, A Christmas Carol – the George C. Scott version. After years of enjoying this classic, I admit that the movie presents for me one major—for lack of a better term—challenge. Before I share this challenge with you, allow me to preface it by saying I love Charles Dickens. If he were alive today, I would be a Charles Dickens’ groupie. I would be like the “Dead Heads” who follow the Grateful Dead. I would be a…”Dick Head?” Hm. I think there should be a better term. Well, we can figure that one out later. On to my Dickens Dilemma.
After the ghosts of Christmas past, present and Christmas yet-to-be showed Scrooge the error of his ways, he began to make amends for his miserly ways by surprising his beleaguered employee, Bob Cratchit, with the prize turkey that hung in the poulterer’s window. Scrooge ordered the bird on Christmas morning after 9 AM with the intention it be delivered to the Cratchit’s that day in time for their Christmas dinner. The turkey, which resembled a Volkswagen with feathers and feet arrived at the Cratchit home sometime in the late morning, and the grateful Mrs. Cratchit declared that she would cook it and have the best Christmas feast ever! When did these people eat their Christmas feast? New Year’s Day?
This bird could not possibly be cooked in time for their afternoon holiday feast or even a late night holiday feast. I get that these were the days before anyone knew about Salmonella, so I am sure Mrs. Cratchit probably served a few portions of pink poultry to family and friends during her lifetime, but come on, the bird still had to be plucked. That in itself had to take an hour or so to ensure that no one coughed up a feather during the feast.
So, I’m going to take a huge leap here and assume that Charles Dickens never prepared any meal let alone a fresh-killed turkey meal. Anyone, who has ever worried about their Christmas dinners, knows that it takes more than wishful thinking to create an edible holiday feast. Perhaps the spirit of Christmas yet-to-be should have offered some extra magic to Mrs. Cratchit by presenting her with a microwave or one of those cool induction ovens that I see on Sunday morning infomercials that cook food in half the time or maybe a turkey fryer. But did he? Nope.
Personally, I think if Scrooge did have an epiphany about Christmas and discovered its true meaning, he would have wanted Mrs. Cratchit to enjoy the holiday and not have to cook anything. He would have wanted her to sit back and relax all day long instead of spending hours picking apart a piece of poultry. While this was not part of the official Dickens tale, it is said that the following Christmas, Mrs. Cratchit sent a note to Mr. Scrooge which read, “Eb, thanks for the prized turkey, but this year, a gift card to a nice restaurant or a even a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken would be more appreciated. Bah, humbug, Mrs. C.”
I want to be in The Dick Head!
HA HA Terri, okay you can be a Dick Head? Now, that does sound strange!
He should have brought them a goose because I’m sure Cratchit came home many nights telling his wife that, “His goose was cooked” working for Scrooge!
you should have co-authored this book with Dickens Deb!
There is but one Christmas film Don Don’s and that is Die Hard. I’m afraid this is not open for discussion! Such is the ways of the Y.
Die Hard? Yes, I guess it does re-tell the Christmas story better than most?
Didn’t the Cratchit family already have their own Christmas goose? Maybe Mrs. Cratchit saved the gift goose (which is goose, not a turkey) and cooked it the next day, then served the family leftovers for a week.
They probably didn’t get a good feast very often, with the miserly wages Scrooge had been paying Bob Cratchit.
I always wondered about that. It bothered me greatly. However, I overlooked it for its wonderful sentiment and crackerjack writing. But resentment has always lurked beneath the surface, festering, festering . . . Until now, WHY THE BLOODY HELL DOES EVERYONE THINK COOKING IS SO FREAKING EFFORTLESS, THAT WE ENJOY WHIPPING UP A FEAST WITH NO ADVANCED PLANNING. *Takes a deep breath. Ponders the plight of Cubs fans waiting for a World Series* Okay, okay, I’m all good. You all can go home now. Nothing to see here. I’m okay. Merry Christmas.
I know that cooking is not effortless, which is why I prefer to leave it to someone else. 😉
a bird is a bird is a bird?
That has always bothered me. How would they cook that enormous bird? Time? And the simple act of getting that calf inside her oven . . .
I thought I was the only one who noticed and worried about this. As usual, Donna, you have proved that we are birds of a feather. *cough*
yes, birds of a feather! I love that Diane! HA HA!!!!
I would be honored to be in the Dick Head club with you as our leader. As to the turkey, Mr. Scrooge. In MY fav version, the Mr. Magoo classic, the turkey is sent already plucked and cooked. So I’d say is was Magoogled that that was a better idea!!!!
Who would think that Mr. Magoo was the more sensible version? I am proud to have you in my dick head club!
I say Dickens had some raw talent, just not in the Kitchen
HA HA Troy! I will accept this about Dickens
Never noticed that Theresa! wow!
Good eye here. Five bucks says Dickens either (1) ate Xmas dinner in a restaurant or (2)let his wife cook and had no idea how long it took because he was busy writing.
I guess we need to give him a pass. He did give us great literature and if he took the time to cook, he might have not finished a book!Thanks Thomas.
Dick Head! LOVE it.
I might have to start a meet up group with this as the title!
You’re an impressively analytical reader. Sounds to me like you have thoroughly cooked Mr. Dickens’ goose.
I’m all for poetic license but I hate when things don’t make sense chronologically. Drives me batty!
He should have just given them a chicken. It’s in his name, after all. CH-arles d-ICKEN-s.