past, present and future. dickens was falling deeper and deeper into debt as he struggled to support his large family. his own childhood had been mired in poverty. when his family fell on hard times, his father was sent to debtors prison. while 12-year-old charles was sent to work ten hours a day in a shoe factory. that experience would shape his work. after delivering a pivotal speech to working families in october of 1843, he was inspired to write a christmas carol. what better way to highlight the tale of the working poor than with a stingy boss who is shown the error of his ways and makes amends to his mistreated employee? dickens worked to complete the book in time for the holidays. when it was published, a christmas carol was an instant success. there were live stage performances in london.