A Christmas Carol - Staves 1 - 2 (hosted by Connie and Sara)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I agree, jokes in Christmas crackers are always childish! Perhaps it is because they are intended to be suitable for all the family. Some of them have definitely been the rounds, and are familiar.

Sorry to distract from the main discussion, but it seemed so "on point!"

[Kirsten]

Debra Digs wrote: "A couple of thoughts:

“Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years,” Scrooge replied. “He died seven years ago, this very night.” - - Interesting to make a point of seven years and to this day. Is ..."

I don't know if anyone's mentioned it, but 7 is very special. It's used a lot in the Bible. Also, at least in modern times, if someone is missing, they can be declared dead after 7 years.

[Debra Diggs]

I just googled how many times 7 was used in the bible. 735 times! And, if you include sevenfold and seventh, 860 times.

[Kirsten]

Kathrin wrote: "Connie wrote: "Kathrin, anything you can add to the discussion about how economics and Malthus influenced Scrooge would be welcome. I don't remember hearing about Malthus until I was researching "A..."

Malthus' theory was popular all the way up until the 20th century when modern food production negated it.

[Kirsten]

Connie wrote: "Jean, those are wonderful quotations you shared! Thank you for posting the illustrations. The Rackham illustration is in the version that I'm reading, and shows the chains, and the assorted money b..."

We used to have a fairy tale book kicking around the house illustrated by Rackham.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Thanks for the thought about 7, Kirsten! It sounds a bit like number 3, which is so special in myth, and magic.

Arthur Rackham's work is superb! He was one of the top Golden Age children's illustrators :)

[France-Andrée]

In Catholic school we learned that 7 was God’s number, took horror movies to hear about 666 though.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

That's interesting, thanks France-Andrée.