Who might the Ghost of Christmas present represent? Why did Dickens design the character this way - what's the purpose?
Father Christmas and Jesus - reference to the spirit of Christmas and the Christian origins of the festival.
How does Scrooge approach the Ghost of Christmas Present differently to how he approached the Ghost of Christmas Past?
He was submissive and he CHOSE to go with the spirit rather than be forced.
There are SEVEN Cratchit children. What are their names?
Martha, Belinda, Peter, Tiny Tim and two unnamed younger Cratchit children – Dickens mentions a "boy and a girl" without naming them.
What are the FIVE main places that the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to in Stave 3?
BONUS: Can you name the minor ones?
The Streets of London – To show people joyfully preparing for Christmas, despite their hardships.
The Cratchit Home – To witness Bob Cratchit’s loving but poor family, including the frail Tiny Tim.
A Mine (Coal Miners’ Hut) – To show poor miners celebrating Christmas with warmth and gratitude.
A Lighthouse – Where isolated lighthouse keepers still celebrate Christmas together.
A Ship at Sea – Where sailors, though far from home, still feel the Christmas spirit.
Fred’s House – To see Scrooge’s nephew Fred and his friends enjoying Christmas, even joking about Scrooge.
What are the names of the boy and girl hiding beneath the Spirit's robe and what do they symbolise? One of them has two meanings!
Want and Ignorance.
Want = need
Ignorance 1 = lack of knowledge and education
Ignorance 2 = lack of awareness the rich have about the lives of the poor.
Why did Dickens include charity collectors in his novel?
There was no Welfare state during the Victorian times and the poor, therefore, needed to rely upon donations from the rich.