Stave 1
Where the story takes place.
What is Victorian London.
What does the memory of Fan remind Scrooge of?
The happiness and love of family at Christmastime
What does the Ghost of Christmas present sprinkle on people?
A type of "spirit" that blesses the holiday food and spreads good cheer. He says that the flavor appeals to a "poor" man's dinner "most" because "it needs it most."
Describe what Scrooge is like at the end of Stave 5.
Scrooge is thankful to the Spirits for their lessons, he is excited for a second chance at life, and willing to begin making changes and bringing about the Christmas spirit in the lives of his family and neighbors
Give 2 examples of how the book represents the time period in which it was written.
stark portrayal of social inequality, criticizing the harsh realities of poverty and wealth disparity prevalent at the time, particularly highlighting the plight of the working class, which Dickens himself experienced, by using Scrooge as a symbol of the greedy, uncaring wealthy individuals who ignored the suffering of the poor; the story also reflects the Victorian fascination with ghosts and spiritualism
The description of the chain that fettered Jacob Marley.
What is a heavy, cumbersome chain made up of items like cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses, all forged from steel, symbolizing the material possessions and priorities he valued excessively during his life, which now serve as a punishment he must carry in the afterlife; essentially representing his greed and lack of compassion towards others
Give 3 traits for the Ghost of Christmas Past.
a strange, ethereal figure appearing both young and old at once, with a glowing light emanating from its head, often wearing a white tunic adorned with summer flowers despite holding a branch of winter holly, symbolizing the contradictory nature of memories and the past's influence on the present; it is essentially a representation of Scrooge's childhood and past experiences, showing him both joyful and painful moments from his life
Describe the Ghost of Christmas Present.
a large, jolly giant, wearing a green robe trimmed with white fur, with a cheerful demeanor, a booming voice, and a joyful air, embodying the spirit of Christmas celebration and generosity, often carrying a glowing torch symbolizing plenty; he is described as having a genial face, sparkling eyes, and an open hand, signifying his welcoming nature.
Name 3 characteristics of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
a silent, shrouded figure, completely cloaked in a dark garment, revealing nothing but an outstretched hand used to point and guide Scrooge to visions of his potential, unmourned death, symbolizing the unknown and frightening nature of the future, often compared to the Grim Reaper in appearance and function; it is a terrifying presence that forces Scrooge to confront his mortality and the consequences of his miserly ways without offering any words of explanation
Name 3 ways that Dickens's personal life is reflected in the story.
his experiences with poverty, his feelings towards his father, and his concerns about child labor
Three traits that describe Jacob Marley.
What is Marley is a miser and a foil to Scrooge, his former business partner and only friend. Marley is greedy and obsessed with money, and he is haunted by the regret of his choices. His chains symbolize the emotional and moral burdens he carries, and his punishment in the afterlife is a reminder of the importance of our actions.
Describe 3 of the 5 memories that the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge.
The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge memories from his childhood, including a lonely Christmas spent at boarding school, his younger sister coming to fetch him home, his time as an apprentice to Mr. Fezziwig where he experienced a joyful Christmas, and most importantly, his painful break-up with his fiancée, Belle, due to his growing obsession with money; these memories highlight the turning point where Scrooge became the cold, miserly man he is now.
How does the shadow of the Cratchit family influence Scrooge?
The shadow of the Cratchit family, particularly the plight of Tiny Tim, deeply influences Scrooge by revealing the harsh realities of poverty and the importance of compassion, causing him to confront his own miserly ways and ultimately leading to his transformation into a more generous and caring person; seeing their happiness despite their hardship forces him to re-evaluate his priorities and realize the value of human connection over wealth
What is significant about Ignorance and Want?
"Ignorance" and "Want" are allegorical child characters representing the societal neglect of the poor, with "Ignorance" symbolizing the lack of education and awareness that traps the impoverished, and "Want" representing their unmet needs; essentially, Dickens uses these figures to criticize Victorian society's disregard for the poor and urge social responsibility to combat poverty and its consequences.
Scrooge's characterization at the end of Stave 1.
What is "a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, scraping, covetous old sinner." He is scared by Marley's sudden ghostly appearance and dreads the visits of the other three ghosts.
Describe Scrooge as he views the memory with Fezziwig. What does his unconscious speech make him realize?
Scrooge notices the generosity and joyful demeanor of his former employer. It makes Scrooge think about his own clerk, Bob Cratchit, and how cruel Scrooge has been to him.
What does Fred’s toast say about Fred and what does Scrooge realize in that scene?
Fred's toast, where he raises a glass to Scrooge's health despite Scrooge's consistent negativity and refusal to celebrate Christmas, highlights Fred's generous and kind spirit, embodying the true Christmas spirit by wishing well even to someone who doesn't reciprocate the sentiment; Scrooge realizes that his miserly ways have alienated even his own family and that he is missing out on the joy and warmth of human connection by refusing to embrace the Christmas spirit like Fred does
True or false. Two buisnessmen joke about Scrooge's death in Stave 4.
True
What was Dickens' purpose in writing this story?
to highlight the plight of the poor in Victorian society and to use his platform to advocate for social change by exposing the harsh realities of poverty and urging the wealthy to be more charitable, particularly during the Christmas season; essentially, he aimed to "open the hearts of the prosperous and powerful towards the poor and powerless" through his story.
A description of a symbol in Stave 1.
Marley's chain: burden of greed and negative consequences of prioritizing material wealth over human connection
Fog: Scrooge's lack of understanding of the human condition; clouded moral vision
Scrooge's cold demeanor: mirrors the winter weather; inner coldness turns him away from others
How has the visit from The Spirit of Christmas Past influenced Scrooge’s attitude?
The visit from the Spirit of Christmas Past significantly softens Scrooge's attitude by reminding him of his happier past, reawakening his long-forgotten capacity for love and compassion, and causing him to reflect on how his current miserly behavior deviates from the person he once was, thus initiating his transformation towards a more generous and caring individual.
What does Scrooge learn during his time with the Ghost of Christmas Present?
1. Christmas is a universal experience
2. The poor can be joyful
3. The rich are selfish
4. Generosity can be lifechanging.
5. The future can be changed because of present decisions.
6. He's missing out on simple pleasures.
7. He has opportunities to do good.
Why doesn't the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come speak to Scrooge?
Because no one truly knows what will happen in the future. Scrooge's future is dependent on the choices he will make now in the present.
What is the theme of the story?
- Redemption/transformation
- Generosity and compassion
- Spirit of Christmas
- Family
- Moral responsibility