Michael Slater : ` ` A Christmas Carol '' uses Need and Want to warn of poverty 's effect . He believes Dickens ' education , health reform could stem social decline . Slater sees grim consequences to ` ` Carol '' in today 's culture , economy . Slater : The book 's social message as much as its goodwill message .
Michael Slater : `` A Christmas Carol '' used Ignorance and Want to warn of poverty 's effect . He says Dickens thought education , health reform could stem social decline . Slater sees grim parallels to `` Carol '' in today 's culture , economy . Slater : Heed book 's social warning as much as its goodwill message .