In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, there are two types of books mentioned. The first are those used in his counting house, where he treats Bob Cratchit like a slave. Those books represent the greed and selfishness of the upper class in general and of Ebenezer Scrooge specifically.
Later, in Stave II, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Mr. Scrooge to the boarding school where Scrooge spent much of his childhood. Scrooge sees his younger self sitting all alone at a desk reading. These books represent his imagination and joy. He remembers how the books of his childhood came alive for him especially when he was lonely.
"'Why, it's Ali Baba!" Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. It's dear old honest Ali Baba! Yes, yes, I know! One Christmastime, when yonder solitary child was left here all alone, he did come, for the first time, just like that. Poor boy! And Valentine,' said Scrooge, 'and his wild brother Orson; there they go!'" (Dickens 37)
He goes on to talk about the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, and other beloved books he read as a boy. They represent his innocent self from a time before money took over his life--a self, who despite his loneliness, found joy.
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