"The Chimes" echoes A Christmas Carol with ghosts visiting a man who an attitude adjustment.
"The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In" is a novella by Charles Dickens, published in 1844 as part of his series of Christmas books. The story revolves around Toby "Trotty" Veck, a poor elderly ticket-porter living in Victorian London.
The story begins on New Year's Eve when Trotty's daughter Meg announces her engagement to Richard. Their joy is short-lived after an encounter with Alderman Cute and other elites who discourage the marriage, claiming the poor are inherently wicked and undeserving of happiness.
Influenced by these negative views and a newspaper article about a destitute woman's suicide, Trotty begins to lose faith in the goodness of his social class. That night, he hears the church bells (the Chimes) calling him. Upon climbing the bell tower, he encounters the spirits of the bells and their goblin attendants.
The spirits reveal that Trotty has died from his climb and show him visions of a bleak future:
- Meg marries Richard, who descends into alcoholism and dies, leaving her widowed with a child.
- Their friends Will and Lilian face hardships, with Will repeatedly imprisoned and Lilian turning to prostitution.
- Meg, destitute and hopeless, contemplates suicide with her child.
These visions are meant to teach Trotty that mankind is not inherently wicked but strives for better when not crushed by circumstances.
Trotty awakens on New Year's Day, realizing it was all a dream. He finds Meg and Richard happily preparing for their wedding, with friends gathering to celebrate. The story ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the importance of trust, hope, and belief in the goodness of humanity.
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