Monday, Dec-2nd
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Central Library in Copley Square

In Boston, where history whispers through the cobblestone streets, the Central Library in Copley Square is set to host n fascinating event. "Charles on the Charles: How Boston Inspired Dickens’ 'A Christmas Carol'" promises to unfold the layers of influence that Boston had on one of the most celebrated Christmas tales of all time.

The event features Professor Natalie McKnight, who wears many hats as a Dickens scholar, a dramaturg, and an academic leader. At 6:30 PM, attendees will dive into how Charles Dickens, on his visits to Boston in 1842 and 1867-68, drew inspiration from the city's vibrant life for his timeless story of redemption, "A Christmas Carol."

Boston, with its rich history of old and new, provided Dickens with unique insights into American society. The lecture will explore how the industrial city of Lowell, which Dickens also visited, influenced the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, reflecting on themes of wealth, poverty, and transformation.

Natalie McKnight, with her extensive background in Victorian literature, will guide the audience through these connections. Not only has she authored books on Dickens, but her role as the Dramaturg for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s new production of "A Christmas Carol" adds a practical dimension to her scholarly insights.

The event will also be an interactive session! Following McKnight's talk, there will be a Q&A where attendees can ask about Dickens' time in America, the adaptation of his work to stage, or how literature reflects societal changes

This event is for Dickens lovers, literature buffs, and anyone interested in how places shape stories and how stories, in turn, shape our understanding of places. It's a chance to see Boston through the eyes of someone who, albeit briefly, called it a muse.

So, if you're near Copley Square 12/2 why not step into the Central Library? Engage with a piece of literary history, understand the nuances of Dickens' work in a new light, and perhaps leave with a deeper appreciation of how a city's character can echo through the pages of a book.