A Christmas carol

1. A Christmas carol Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

2. Plot summary

3. Stave 1 Scrooge walks the streets of London and everyone avoids him. Fred, Scrooge’s nephew visits his uncle to invite him to Christmas dinner. Scrooge refuses him and says he hates Christmas, while his nephew tries to convince him to love Christmas. Two portly gentlemen visit to ask Scrooge to give money to charity, but he refuses and says they should be in prisons or workhouses, or dead. Scrooge’s clerk requests Christmas day off, and Scrooge grudgingly allows it, telling him to come in earlier on Boxing Day. Scrooge returns home, witnessing a series of supernatural events, starting with Marley’s face appearing in the door knocker. Marley’s ghost appears and tells Scrooge he will be doomed to walk the earth in chains after death unless he begins to be kind to people, and tells him he will be haunted by three spirits. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

4. Stave 2 Scrooge is awoken by the Ghost of Christmas past, who is a shape-changing creature with a beam of light shining from his head and a fire extinguisher cap. Scrooge sees his childhood hometown, and then himself sitting alone at Christmas in school. He sobs at this sight. Scrooge sees his sister, Fan, bringing him home from another lonely Christmas. The spirit reminds Scrooge she died, but had a child (Scrooge’s nephew), and Scrooge is uneasy. Scrooge sees his old boss Fezziwig throwing a Christmas party for his staff and family. Scrooge enjoys the party, and wishes he could speak to his own clerk. Scrooge see his ex-fiance, Belle, breaking off their engagement because Scrooge is too obsessed with money and she has none. Scrooge describes this as torture. Finally, Scrooge sees Belle seven years ago with her charming family. Her husband says he has seen Scrooge, who is all alone. Scrooge is overcome and puts the cap on the spirit’s head in a rage. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

5. Stave 3 The Ghost of Christmas Present appears in Scrooge’s home. He is a jolly giant who carries a horn, and the room is decorated in Christmas splendour. Scrooge sees the Cratchit family and their paltry Christmas. He is moved by Tiny Tim, but the spirit tells him he will die if things don’t change. The spirit shows Scrooge Christmas around the country, from the streets, to the miners, to the lighthouse keepers and sailors. All are festive and happy. Scrooge sees his nephew’s Christmas party, where Fred says he pities Scrooge, while the others make fun of him. Scrooge joins in with the party games. The spirit shows Scrooge two starved children, Ignorance and Want. He vanishes as Scrooge notices a dark, hooded figure coming. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

6. Stave 4 The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge some businessman carelessly discussing the death of an unnamed man. Moving to the backstreets of London, a group of thieves meet. Mrs Dilber, Scrooge’s laundress, laughs about the sheets and bed clothes that she has stolen from the dead man. The spirit shows Scrooge a lonely dead body under a sheet. Scrooge is greatly disturbed, and begs to see someone who feels emotion at the man’s death. Scrooge sees a couple who are happy about the man’s death because their debt is erased. Scrooge begs to see some tenderness towards the man. Scrooge sees the Cratchit family, who are mourning the death of Tiny Tim. It could be that Scrooge’s death hurt the family as Bob became unemployed and was unable to support Tiny Tim. Scrooge finds himself in a churchyard with the spirit pointing to a grave. Scrooge looks at the headstone and is shocked to read his own name. He begs to be told he can change, and wakes up in his own bed. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

7. Stave 5 Scrooge awakens with excitement and happiness. He sends a turkey to the Cratchit house. He walks among the streets and has happy interactions with people, and goes to Fred's party, Bob is late to work on boxing day and terrified he will lose his job. Scrooge pretends he will sack him but raises his salary instead. As the years go by, he continues to celebrate Christmas with all his heart. He treats Tiny Tim as if he were his own child, gives gifts for the poor and is kind, generous and warm. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

8. Structure • An episodic narrative • Five chapters (Staves) • Written as a novella • it has a clear beginning, middle and end through which we see a character's transformation • Scrooge's redemption in the final stave leaves the reader with a sense of both completion and optimism Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

9. context Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

10. Famed British author Charles Dickens was born Charles John Huffam Dickens on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, on the southern coast of England. He was the second of eight children. In 1822, the Dickens family moved to Camden Town, a poor neighbourhood in London. By then the family’s financial situation had grown dire, as John Dickens had a dangerous habit of living beyond the family’s means. Eventually, John was sent to prison for debt in 1824, when Charles was just 12 years old. Following his father’s imprisonment, Charles Dickens was forced to leave school to work at a boot-blacking factory alongside the River Thames. But when Dickens was 15, his education was pulled out from under him once again. In 1827, he had to drop out of school and work as an office boy to contribute to his family’s income. As it turned out, the job became an early launching point for his writing career. Dickens’ first success caught the eye of Catherine Hogarth, whom he soon married. Catherine would grace Charles with a brood of 10 children before the couple separated in 1858. On June 9, 1870, Dickens had a stroke and, at age 58, died at Gad’s Hill Place, his country home in Kent, England Charles dickens Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

11. A Christmas Carol was written in 1843 and education wasn’t free in England until 1870. Ragged Schools were set up by people who wanted to provide free education for poor children. Charles Dickens visited one of the Ragged Schools in London and it inspired him to write A Christmas Carol. In 1834, a new Poor Law was introduced. Some people welcomed it because they believed it would:- reduce the cost of looking after the poor- take beggars off the streets - encourage poor people to work hard gto support themselves. The new Poor Law ensured that the poor were housed in workhouses, clothed and fed. Children who entered the workhouse would receive some schooling. In return for this care, all workhouse paupers would have to work several hours each day. Ragged schools and the 1834 poor law Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

12. Attitudes to the poor The rich fear them and think, like Scrooge, that they are “Surplus population” and not truly human. The rich would not come into contact with the poor, which is why Dickens shows the home life of the Cratchit family and then shows the layers of poverty below them when we see the miners and then the slums “ an obscurepart of town” where Scrooge “had never penetrated”. We are told that the slums “reeked with crime, with filth, and misery”. Scrooge is presented as a wealthy Victorian who ignores the poverty all around him. Victorians think that the poor are poor because they are lazy. Some even thought that helping the poor would make matters worse.The workhouses were made deliberately cruel (e.g. splitting up families) to discourage people trying to get help. There were the “deserving poor” like Tiny Tim, but most were seen as scroungers (a bit like some newspapers view those on benefits now). The rich do not see how a lack of education stops the poor ever making their lives better. We see how some of the poor turn to crime in the slums. Remember that Dickens was one of the first people to link poverty to crime. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

13. The Victorian family The Victorian family was considered to be a very valuable part of the everyday life throughout the era. Most often families were considered by today’s standards to be very large. In 1870 you would find that the average household family contained five or six children. In Victorian families, the father himself was the worker of the family.He would likely work very long hours. However, when returning to the home he frequently had a room referred to as the study. This was a location that he would go if he needed some peace and quiet. The children were frequently not allowed in the study without special permission from the father. The mother did not carry the same role that women did of the 1950s. Although they rarely worked, they did not spend their time cooking and washing clothes. Instead, they planned the dinner parties and spent a lot of time generally teaching the children of the home core values. The Victorian life put a huge value on ensuring that parents taught their children properly. Children, however, did not spend a lot of time with their mother or father. In an average day, most time was probably spent with someone like a nanny which would have also been responsible for teaching them arithmetic and reading. They may only spend an hour or two with both parents in attendance late in the evening and only if they were cleaned up. Children left homes early in life to get married and start their own families. The vast majority of homes in the Victorian era did have servants. These servants were a core part of the average household. Even middle-income households had a servant that was frequently responsible for washing clothes, doing the dishes, and preparing meals. They probably did a lot of the raising when it came to the children. Most of the time, these servants would spend their entire working life with one family.

14. Interestingly, the structure of the novel reflects the Catholic structure of finding atonement: Sinning Regret Redemption Atonement A Christmas Carol emphasises the importance of Christian values, such as warmth, generosity and goodwill. Each ghost’s tale acts like a parable, educating Scrooge (and the reader) in its moral. Religious influence • Christianity: The theme of redemption (being able to change for the better and being accepted) links to Christianity. Victorians were very religious – Bob and Tiny Tim return from church and Dickens talks about the “good people” returning from church on Christmas morning. The biggest link to this aspect of Victorian society is the change to Scrooge. It’s like he’s been born again “I’m quite a baby”, he also says, “I’m light as a feather” which could suggest that the heavy sins that he has been carrying around have been taken away. This is also re-inforced by the way that the fog has disappeared at the end of the novel. With the fog gone, Scrooge is able to see the right path to take in his life. In addition, the laughing and “chuckles” show that he is now much happier. He also becomes “a second father” to Tiny Tim who, “did NOT die”.

15. themes Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

16. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a bildungsroman that tracks the spiritual and moral education of Ebenezer Scrooge.   • Charles Dickens was a social reformer, who wanted to improve Victorian society. The message in the novella is that the middle-classes (represented by Scrooge) should offer support to the poor (represented by the Cratchit family).   • Throughout stave one, Scrooge is a sinful miser, however, through the intervention of Marley (and three other ghosts), Scrooge goes on a redemptive journey of transformation (which begins in stave two). • Stave 3: • Scrooge is submissive: “He obeyed.” “Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit.” • Scrooge learns about poverty: "To any kindly given. To a poor one most […] because it needs it most." • Scrooge understands the Cratchit family’s hardships: “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder” “As good as gold” “Oh, a wonderful pudding!” • Scrooge feels empathy for strangers (Tiny Tim): “Oh, no, kind Spirit. Say he will be spared.” • Scrooge learns about his poor reputation: “His wealth is of no use to him. He don't do any good with it.” • Scrooge learns about Ignorance and Want: "Are there no prisons?" said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. "Are there no workhouses?" • Stave 1: • Scrooge is “hard and sharp as flint” and “solitary as an oyster.” The similes reveal his cruel, miserly, self-centred attitude, but also imply a transformation is possible. • Dickens uses temperature and light symbolically to show the Christmas spirit (Scrooge’s change). At first, the “cold froze his features”, but eventually be becomes like Fred- “all aglow”. • Scrooge is remorseless at first and dehumanises the poor: “decrease the surplus population”. • Marley warns Scrooge that he “wears the chains he forged in life” and that he never escaped the “narrow limits of their money-changing hole.” Scrooge must learn to value people. • Scrooge begins his transformation slowly, by being unable to say “Bah! Humbug!” showing he can be cynical no longer. redemption Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

17. Stave 4: • Scrooge is self-aware and speaks in place of the phantom: “Lead on. The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me.” • Scrooge meets his former business acquaintances (Ignorance): “A very cheap funeral”, “I don't mind going if a lunch is provided”, “Old Scratch”. • MrsDilber (Want), Scrooge’s maid, describes stealing from Scrooge as “a judgment on him.” • Scrooge is terrified by Tiny Tim’s death and his own gravestone: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year” • Stave 5: • The contrasting similes show Scrooge’s change: "I am as light as a feather” “merry as a schoolboy” • Pathetic fallacy shows change: “churches ringing out”, “No fog, no mist; clear, bright” • Scrooge is complimentary to others: “intelligent boy”, “remarkable boy”, “delightful boy” • Scrooge is generous with money: “turkey”, “back payments”, “I am about to raise your salary” • Scrooge reconnects with his family: “I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?" • Scrooge is redeemed: “Make up the fires”, “second father” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

18. Charles Dickens was a social reformer, who wanted to improve Victorian society. The message in the novella is that the middle-classes (represented by Scrooge) should offer support to the poor (represented by the Cratchit family). • Ghost stories were a popular genre in the Victorian era. • The supernatural was a part of Victorian life, they held séances and believed it was possible to contact the dead. • The ghosts act as moral teachers, each one has a lesson that Scrooge must learn so he can transform from a cold, evil miser into a charitable gentleman. • Stave 1: • Marley warns Scrooge that he “wears the chains he forged in life” and that he never escaped the “narrow limits of their money-changing hole.” Scrooge must learn to value people. Stave 3: The Ghost of Christmas Present symbolisesgenerosity and goodwill.The Ghost of Christmas Present wears a “scabbard; but no sword was in it”, which symbolises the peace that Christmas brings. “To any kindly given. To a poor one most.” The Ghost of Christmas Present explains that anything given at Christmas should be for the ones that need it most and how the middle class neglect the poor. The ghost shows Scrooge the Cratchit family so that Scrooge can witness the poverty he has caused. Scrooge shows concern for Tiny Tim by pleading “say he will be spared?” The ghost replies with “decrease the surplus population” to shame Scrooge. Ignorance and Want are the personification of Society’s problems: Want is the poor needs for basic necessities (such as food, shelter & work) whereas Ignorance is the middle-class’ lack of empathy for the poor’s desperation. Scrooge is disgusted and asks if they have “no resource?” Again, the ghost uses his own words to shame him: “are there no prisons?” supernatural • Stave 2: • The Ghost of Christmas Past symbolisesmemory. It wears a “tunic of the purest white” and is a “clear jet of light” which reawakens the Christmas spirit by lighting Scrooge’s past. • It wants his “reclamation”, which reveals that Scrooge used to be a good person. Stave 4: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a “phantom” that terrifies Scrooge and symbolisesdeath.Scrooge is shocked by his “neglected grave” and makes the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come two promises: 1) “I’m not the man I was” and 2) “I’ll honour Christmas and keep it in my heart”. His transformation is complete.

19. .In the Victorian era, Christmas wasn’t widely celebrated until Dickens popularised it through publishing the novel. • Many Christmas traditions such as the Christmas tree, Father Christmas & decorations first gained their popularity at this time – partly due to Dickens’ writing. • The Christmas spirit is a key aspect of the novel, symbolised by fire. Scrooge must learn to embrace hope, love, peace & joy so he can be redeemed. • Family, charity and a social conscience are linked with Christmas. • Tradition 1 - Food – Dickens gives whole lists of food in Stave 2 and it is all described as the very best e.g. “Cherry- cheeked apples” “The Grocers! Oh the Grocers!” etc. However, many did not have enough to eat (Want) – Christmas is a time when “Want is keenly felt and Abundance rejoices” Dickens is showing how the Christmas meal is really important. Turkey was really fashionable but expensive and was chosen by the middle classes. Goose was eaten by the poor – it does not have as much meat on it as turkey. Look at the importance of the Christmas meal to the Cratchit family. • Tradition 2 – Family and fun Dickens shows that Christmas is a time for being with family and friends – he shows the Cratchit family who are “pleased with one another and contented with the time” despite their poverty. Look at how Bob is upset when he thinks his eldest daughter, Martha, wasn’t going to be with them on Christmas day. Scrooge is also shown everyone going out – even the little lamplighter is dressed up and going to visit someone else. The miners are happy together and singing an ancient carol. Fezziwig’s and Fred’s party scenes also show the fun and entertainment that Victorian society was starting to associate with Christmas- games, dancing and music. • Stave 1: • Scrooge shows hatred for Christmas as when his nephew, Fred, wishes him “A merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you!” He replies cynically with “Bah […] Humbug!” • Fred is “all aglow” in contrast to Scrooge’s “cold within him”. Fred believes Christmas has “never put a scrap of gold or silver” in his pocket, but it’s done him good. • In contrast, Scrooge sees Christmas as “a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December.” • “Lump of coal” Scrooge is trying to take away Bob’s Christmas spirit. Christmas Stave 3: The Ghost of Christmas Present wears a “scabbard; but no sword was in it”, which symbolises the peace that Christmas brings. “To any kindly given. To a poor one most.” The Ghost of Christmas Present explains that anything given at Christmas should be for the ones that need it most and how the middle class neglect the poor. The Cratchit family are full of the Christmas spirit: they wear “ribbons” to celebrate and have a “goose, stuffed with apple sauce”. They are struggling financially but the Christmas spirit keeps the family going. They even toast Scrooge as the “Founder of the Feast”, showing forgiveness to Scrooge for his cruel and unfair treatment.

20. Charles Dickens was a social reformer, who wanted to improve Victorian society. The message in the novella is that the middle-classes (represented by Scrooge) should offer support to the poor (represented by the Cratchit family). • As a child, Dickens experienced poverty by worked in a blacking factory as a young boy to recover his father’s debt. This awakened his social conscience & he knew of the grinding struggle associated with poverty. • The decade was known as the Hungry Forties due to widespread starvation. • Poverty could also mean love, happiness and good morals; therefore, the Cratchit family are rich and Scrooge is poor (until he transforms in Stave 5). poverty • Stave 2: • “Left to their beds; which were under a counter in the back-shop” Scrooge, as an apprentice at Fezziwig’s, slept under the counter. • Fezziwig lessens the burden on the poor by offering them a Christmas party to keep up their spirits. He “shakes hands with every individual.” • “A Golden Idol” has displaced Belle: Scrooge becomes spiritually poor when he abandons love to focus on gaining more wealth. His fear of poverty leads to his obsession with money. • Stave 1: • “Dismal little cell” Bob trapped in poverty by Scrooge. • “One lump of coal” Scrooge attacks Bob’s Christmas spirit. • “Decrease the surplus population” Scrooge dehumanises the poor and sees them as worthless • “Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons?” Scrooge supports workhouses despite the terrible conditions. Scrooge is ignorant and dismissive of poverty – he sees it as their problem and nothing to do with him. • “This is the chain I forged on life” Marley, like Scrooge, has created his own punishment for taking advantage of the poor – he must wears chains. • “Mankind was my business” Marley attempts to redefine the word ‘business’ and link it to people instead of money to change Scrooge’s mindset about charity & goodwill. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

21. Stave 3: • The ghost tells Scrooge that he should give to the poor as they are the ones who need it most: “To any kindly given. To a poor one most.” • Scrooge see the Cratchit family celebrating Christmas without any money and are using ribbons to keep the Christmas spirit alive: “But brave in ribbons.” • The Cratchits believe that good behaviour is better than money. Bob Cratchit tells his family that Tiny Tim had been “Good as gold.” Dickens implies wealth is about morals, not money. • Scrooge see that the Cratchits’ work together as a family to help each other by working on the Christmas dinner together. They have a “goose stuffed with apple sauce” as they cannot afford a turkey, yet they toast Scrooge as the “founder of the feast” showing their thankfulness for what they have. • Ignorance and Want are the personification of Society’s problems: Want is the poor needs for basic necessities (such as food, shelter & work) whereas Ignorance is the middle-class’ lack of empathy for the poor’s desperation. They are children who are “ragged, scowling & wolfish” and Scrooge is repulsed. The ghost uses his own words to shame him. • Stave 5: • Scrooge is generous in spirit (“light as a feather” “merry as a schoolboy”) and generous with money: He sends the Cratchits a turkey and gives “back payments” to the charity men. • He “raises [Bob’s] salary” to help the struggling family & becomes a “second father” to Tiny Tim • By the end of the story, Scrooge is financially and morally rich as he chains are gone and he is a good person: “make up the fires”. • Stave 4: • MrsDilber visits a pawnshop and sells Scrooge’s clothes stolen from his dead body. She calls it a “judgment on him.” She presents Want in human form – Dickens is teaching the reader that crime comes from deprivation. • Tiny Tim has died and the Cratchit family are “still as statues”. Tim’s illness caused his death, but can be tracked back to Bob being underpaid by Scrooge – selfishness has consequences. • Scrooge has a “neglected grave” as he has no-one to care for/visit his final resting place: his poverty is a lack of connection with other people. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

22. characters Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

23. “I hope to live to be another man from what I was” “Old Scratch” “a wicked old screw” “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year” ‘he was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions’ “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel” “an intelligent boy! […] a remarkable boy! […] What a delightful boy!” ‘to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father’ ‘he became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew’ How is Scrooge presented throughout the novella? What do these quotations tell us? scrooge “why do you delight to torture me?” ‘nothing between a baby and a rhinoceros would have astonished him very much’ “I learnt a lesson” ‘said Scrooge submissively’ “if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it” ‘[he] was overcome with penitence and grief’ ‘odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man’ ‘the Ogre of the family’ ‘his offences carry their own punishment’ ‘he softened more and more’ ‘he begged like a boy to be allowed to stay until the guests departed’ ‘a savage animal’ ‘[he] had imperceptibly become so gay and light of heart’ ‘Scrooge feared the silent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him’ ‘tight-fisted’ ‘covetous old sinner’ ‘hard and sharp as flint’ ‘solitary as an oyster’ “Bah! […] Humbug!” “I’ll retire to Bedlam” ‘Scrooge was not a man to be frightened of echoes’ ‘caustic and cold’ ‘a solitary child’ ‘greedy’ ‘gain engrosses [Scrooge]’

24. This family serve a similar purpose to the nephew’s. They also serve to represent a typical poor, Victorian family. The work relationship with Bob Cratchit allows Dickens to explore distribution of wealth and financial responsibility bob cratchit and family Tiny Tim features as a symbol of hope. His famous line “God bless us every one!” summarises Dickens’ message about equality The Cratchits “God bless it” ‘They were not a handsome family’ ‘they were not well dressed’ ‘they were happy, grateful’ “I am sorry for him [Scrooge]” Tiny Tim ‘Alas […] he bore a little crutch’ ‘a cripple’ “God bless us every one!” ‘withered little hand’ ‘plaintive little voice’ ‘patient and […] mild’ ‘thy childish essence was from God!’ Tiny Tim represents the grim truth behind Victorian poverty. As a child, he evokes sympathy from the reader as he is a symbol of innocence. Tiny Tim also embodies lots of positive characteristics: selflessness, kindness and thinking of others.

25. Scrooge’s business partner, Marley, dead for 7 years, begins the events that unfold in the novel. He is a dramatic device used to create tension. The same face: the very same.  Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat, tights and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling, like his pigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head.  The chain he drew was clasped about his middle.  It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. His body was transparent, so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking through his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat behind. Jacob marley ‘Marley was dead: to begin with’ ‘dead as a doornail’ ‘death-cold eyes’ ‘dreadful apparition’ “I wear the chain I forged in life” ‘a good man of business’ ‘Marley’s ghost bothered him exceedingly’ The visit from Marley begins the whole chain of events. Scrooge begins “incredulous”, telling the ghost “humbug!” and trying to convince himself he is hallucinating. Eventually, Scrooge’s fear encourages him to listen to the ghost. He began to “quake” and “shivered” as he listened. When Marley leaves, Scrooge’s “curiosity” gets the better of him, and he looks out of the window, only to see more phantoms, many who were “personally known” to Scrooge.

26. The first spirit ‘unearthly visitor’ ‘like a child’ ‘like an old man’ ‘the voice was soft and gentle’ The ghost of Christmas past Scrooge is more prepared for this visit and even “made bold” and asked questions Scrooge responds to what he is shown with “ecstasy” and “earnestness” Seeing his childhood, he regrets not giving money to the child singing carols earlier After the Fezziwig party, he says he would “like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk” Scrooge is full of shame and remorse after seeing his relationship with Belle end, asking the ghost “why do you delight to torture me?” When the ghost leaves, Scrooge is unable to “hide the light” that shone from it It was a strange figure -- like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child's proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long and muscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength. Its legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper members, bare. It wore a tunic of the purest white, and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. This ghost is a disconcerting mix of a child and old man. It takes Scrooge on a tour of his own history, showing him his childhood and early adult years. The ghost of Christmas Past allows Scrooge to connect with his old feelings. It also allows us insight in to his character and what motivates him.

27. The second spirit ) ‘a jolly giant’ ‘a genial face’ ‘sparkling eye’ ‘cheery voice’ ‘kind, generous, hearty nature’ ‘the child will die’ ‘the ghost grew older, clearly older’ The ghost of Christmas present This time Scrooge is alert, waiting for an “especialpurpose” He is clearly nervous in anticipation, suffering a “violent fit of trembling” He looks at the spirit with “reverence” Seeing the Crachits, Scrooge realises he is the “Ogre of the family” To Scrooge’s “horror” they visit less fortunate circumstances, enjoying a happy Christmas The ghost is “greatly pleased” to see Scrooge joining in the nephew’s games Scrooge is “appalled” to see the two children, Ignorance and Want It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the figure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust. The festive ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to visit others during their Christmas celebrations in the present day. This ghost highlights how others share the experience of Christmas – and gives Scrooge insight in to his misery and isolation.

28. This ‘ghost’ is more of a phantom. Its dark presence shows Scrooge a glimpse of what his life will be like if he continues his misanthropicbehaviour. Scrooge “bent down upon his knee” for this ghost He is the most fearful, and “his legs trembled beneath him” He realises that the purpose of his visit is “some moral for his own improvement” Scrooge seems desperate to know more, begging the spirit: “answer me this question” At the end, Scrooge tells the ghost: “The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” The third spirit ‘a solemn phantom’ ‘like a mist along the ground’ ‘it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery’ ‘it was shrouded in a deep black garment’ ‘the spirit was as immoveable as ever’ ‘the kind hand trembled’ The ghost of Christmas yet to come The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded. He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved. Scrooge’s death is during a “bitterly cold” Christmas The Cratchit house is “lighted cheerfully and hung with Christmas”, despite Scrooge’s death Scrooge promises the ghost that he will “honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year”

29. Ignorance and want Ignorance and Want are the personification of Society’s problems: Want is the poor needs for basic necessities (such as food, shelter & work) whereas Ignorance is the middle-class’ lack of empathy for the poor’s desperation. They “cling” to the Ghost of Christmas Present because they damage Christmas cheer – Scrooge needs to help fix these problems so the Christmas spirit can be spread throughout society. “They are Man's,” said the Spirit, looking down upon them. “And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!” cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. “Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse! And bide the end!” “Have they no refuge or resource?” cried Scrooge. “Are there no prisons?” said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. “Are there no workhouses?” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

30. Scrooge’s nephew and family We learn in Stave 2 that Scrooge is clearly deeply saddened by the death of his sister, Fan. Scrooge clearly adored his “delicate” sister Fan, as we see when he returns to his childhood with the Ghost of Christmas Past. Scrooge’s nephew is used in Stave 1 to illustrate Scrooge’s negative attitude towards family and Christmas. In Stave 3, the family allow Scrooge to see how others enjoy Christmas. Through them, he realises how isolated and excluded he is. The family also demonstrate good qualities, such as unity, fun and kindness. Through her character, we learn motivation for Scrooge’s bitter isolation. We also develop sympathy for his loss. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

31. Again, Belle’s character offers insight in to Scrooge’s miserable history. His ex girlfriend, Belle leaves Scrooge, claiming that he loves money more than her. Scrooge witnesses the happiness he could have had. Again, this emphasies the bigger theme of regret and remorse and the moral of valuing humanity over wealth. Belle Fezziwig A joyful and likeable character, we meet Mr Fezziwig in Stave 2, as Scrooge reflects on his young adult years. Fezziwig ‘comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice’ “Hilly-ho!” ‘a positive light appeared to issue from Fezziwig’s calves’ ‘[Fezziwig] has the power to render us happy or unhappy’ Fezziwigis everything Scrooge is not! Rather than personal relationships, this insight in to work-related characters allows understanding of financial and economic themes, and the issue of how rich bosses treated their workers. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

32. Visit the help desk and look for our KOs if you need help getting started! What key information do you need to revise? aCC Knowledge organiser Use your A3 mind map/notes to create an A4 knowledge organiser of your own. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context