English 10/11
Name:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Study Guide Questions:
Chapter 1:
1. Who was Marley? What happened to him?
Scrooge’s business partner. He died.
2. What was Scrooge and Marley’s relationship?
Scrooge was his only friend and only mourner. People sometimes confused
them.
3. Characterize Scrooge.
“Scrooge was a very tightfisted man. He was secret, and self-contained, and
solitary as an oyster… The hair on his head, eyebrows, and chin were frosty
white. He seemed to carry his own temperature with him.
4. What is the setting? What is the mood?
It is Christmas Eve, a very dark, cold and foggy day. The mood is creepy and
ominous.
5. How does Scrooge treat his clerk?
Scrooge keeps his door open so he can keep an eye on his clerk; he doesn’t
trust him. Scrooge only allows a single coal for the clerk’s fire and a single
candle. The clerk must cover himself with a comforter and is still very cold
as he works.
6. Who comes to visit Scrooge at his office? How does Scrooge treat this
person?
Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, comes to invite his uncle to Christmas dinner.
Scrooge is rude and cold to Fred, but Fred remains cheerful. We learn that
Fred is poor, but happy. Scrooge is wealthy, but unhappy.
Chapter 2:
1. For how long has Marley been dead?
7 years
2. Who comes to visit Scrooge and what do they want?
Two gentlemen with books and papers who are raising money for needy
people to bring them cheer at Christmas.
3. What literary device is used in the sentence, “Christmas is a time, of all
others, when Want is keenly felt, and Plenty rejoices.” p. 13?
Personification of Want and Plenty.
4. What is Scrooge’s attitude towards poor and needy people?
Scrooge believes they belong in prison, workhouses, or dead. He does not
believe in charity, even though he has enough wealth to share with others.
5. What does the clerk ask of Scrooge and what is his reply?
The clerk asks for the full day off tomorrow, Christmas Day. Scrooge
reluctantly agrees.
Chapter 3:
1. Where does Scrooge live?
“A gloomy suite of rooms in and old and dreary building. Nobody lived there
but Scrooge. The other rooms had all been rented out as offices.” p. 17
2. What happens to the knocker on Scrooge’s door?
As Scrooge puts his key into the lock, the knocker changes into Marley’s
face.
3. Describe Marley’s ghost.
Marley’s ghost looks just as Marley did in life- his pigtail, vest, tights, and
boots are exactly the same, except he is transparent. He also drags behind
him a long, winding chain made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds,
and heavy steel purses.
4. What does Marley’s chain symbolize?
The chain is made of all of the items Marley valued in life. They all have to
do with business, greed, and selfishness. Marley must now bear the weight
of the bad deeds he committed in life.
5. According to Marley, how did he treat others while he was alive?
He ignored his fellow man, only caring about his business and giving little
thought to charity, mercy, or kindness.
6. About what does Marley warn Scrooge?
Scrooge is on the same path as Marley; his chain is even heavier. Scrooge will
be haunted by Three Spirits over the next three nights. These spirits will
give Scrooge a chance to escape the fate of Marley.
Chapter 4:
1. What time does Scrooge awake? Why is this unusual?
Midnight, but he went to bed after 2 a.m. Time has gone backwards.
2. Describe the first Spirit that visits Scrooge. What is it called?
“A strange figure- like a child. Yet is was not so much like a child as like an
old man reduced to a child’s size. Its hair was white with age, yet the face
had not a wrinkle on it. It wore clothes of the purest white. Around its waist
was a shining belt that sparkled and glittered. The visitor held a branch of
fresh green holly in its hand. Its dress was trimmed with summer flowers. A
bright clear glow came from the crown of its head lighting the room.” p. 24
3. Where does the Spirit take Scrooge and what does he see there?
To his boyhood hometown and school. He sees boys riding ponies and
laughing, himself all alone in the school house with only his books to keep him
company.
4. How does Scrooge feel when he sees his younger self?
At first he feels happy to see the town and boys, but then he sad and pities
his young self and cries.
5. What does Scrooge wish at the end of the chapter?
Scrooge remembers the boy who came caroling and wishes he had treated
him with generosity and kindness, instead of hitting door with a ruler to
frighten the boy away.
Chapter 5:
1. Who approaches Scrooge in the beginning of this chapter? What happens
to her?
His sister, Fan, arrives at the school to tell him that he may come home and
that father is “kinder.” She dies a young woman after having a child,
Scrooge’s nephew, Fred.
2. Who is Fezziwig? How does he celebrate Christmas?
Scrooge’s old employer. He invites all of the staff and servants to a festive
party with music, dancing, food and drink. Everyone has a wonderful time,
especially Fezziwig himself.
3. What does Scrooge state about Fezziwig’s ability to bring people
happiness? What does this realization make Scrooge think of?
Scrooge notes that Fezziwig didn’t have to spend a great deal of money to
bring happiness to others. He also observes that as his boss, Fezziwig had
great influence over how happy Scrooge’s life was at that time. This makes
him think of his own clerk and wish to speak to him.
4. What scene does Scrooge observe between his younger self and a young
lady? What does she say to him and why?
Scrooge observes himself as a young man having an argument with his fiance,
Belle. She states that he has changed and loves only money now, rather than
her. She ends the engagement.
5. What becomes of the young lady, Belle?
Scrooge observes later that she has married someone else and has several
children and a cheerful home. Her husband comments that he saw Scrooge
all alone in his office on Christmas.
6. How has Scrooge changed at this point in the novel?
Chapter 6:
1. Describe the scene Scrooge observes in his bedroom.
His room is brightly decorated with holly, mistletoe, and ivy, along with a
blazing fire. There is a feast of meats and desserts piled on the floor.
2. Describe the second Spirit Scrooge meets.
A “jolly giant” holding a glowing torch. He wears a simple green robe,
bordered with white fur. Its feet are bear and he wears a holly wreath with
shining icicles as a crown over long dark brown curls. He has a “joyful” look.
This is the Ghost of Christmas Present.
3. What scene does the Spirit take Scrooge to observe?
The city streets on Christmas day, full of shoppers buying wonderful treats
and in joyful moods.
4. What does Scrooge see at Bob Cratchit’s house?
Mrs. Cratchit and the children preparing for Christmas dinner. The young
children dance with excitement. Martha comes in late from work and Tiny
Tim is carried by his father because he is sick and must walk with a crutch.
5. What does Scrooge wish to know about Tiny Tim? What is the Spirit’s
reply? How does this affect Scrooge?
Scrooge wants to know if Tiny Tim will live. The Spirit replies, “I see a
vacant seat in the corner – a crutch without an owner” unless things change.
He also quotes Scrooge’s own words from the previous day, “If he is going to
die, he had better do it, to decrease the surplus population.” Scrooge is
disgusted by his own words and hangs his head in shame.
6. Why is Scrooge’s name mentioned by Bob Cratchit? What does this
reveal about the man?
Bob wishes to raise a toast to Scrooge for being “the founder of the feast.”
Mrs. Cratchit and the rest of the family disapprove and obviously dislike
Scrooge very much. Bob is seen as a caring and compassionate man, unlike his
employer.
Chapter 7:
1. What is the Spirit’s purpose in taking Scrooge to see the miner family,
lighthouse tenders, and men on the ship?
He wishes to show Scrooge that even these people, who have little or must
work and be apart from loved ones, embody the Christmas spirit of kindness,
gratitude, and good will to others.
2. What does Fred state about Scrooge’s wealth?
Scrooge does not even enjoy his wealth himself. It does nobody any good,
especially himself. Ironic.
3. How does Fred feel about his uncle?
He pities Scrooge and will continue to invite him for Christmas dinner each
year, hoping for the best.
4. What types of activities do the guests engage in at the party? What
change do we observe in Scrooge as he watches the party?
They listen to music and play many games, including “Yes and No” in which
Fred good-heartedly describes Scrooge as a stubborn and selfish animal.
Scrooge enjoys watching the games and wants to stay longer when the Spirit
says it is time to go.
5. What does Scrooge see under the Spirit’s robes? What do they
symbolize?
Two ragged, wretched children –the boy is Ignorance and the girl is Want.
They symbolize the causes of problems for humanity and the things that
Scrooge has shown no compassion for in his life.
Chapter 8:
1. Describe the third and final Spirit Scrooge meets?
“A ghostly Phantom slowly and silently approached… covered in a deep black
garment that left nothing visible but one outstretched hand.” It is the ghost
of Christmas Yet to Come. It does not speak. p. 57
2. What does Scrooge overhear the merchants and business men
discussing?
Somebody has died, he had a lot of money, it’s unlikely that anyone will come
to the funeral. Scrooge has no idea who this dead man might be or how it
relates to him.
3. What are the cleaning woman, laundress, and undertaker’s man doing at
the dirty shop?
This is a pawn shop and they are attempting to sell the things they have
taken from the dead man.
4. How does Scrooge react to the scene?
With “hate and disgust.” He says, “The case of this unhappy man might be my
own. My life tends that way, now.” Dramatic Irony- he doesn’t know it is him.
Chapter 9:
1. Describe the new scene Scrooge sees before him.
He sees an empty bed with no curtains, beneath a thin sheet is the body of
the dead man.
2. What does the Phantom want Scrooge to do? What is his reaction?
The Spirit wants Scrooge to uncover the dead man and look at his face.
Scrooge can not do it- inner conflict. Instead, Scrooge asks the Spirit to
show him any person who feels emotion for the dead man.
3. Who are the people who feel emotion over the dead man’s death?
First, a young couple who owed the man a debt. They are happy and relieved
because they will now have more time to pay the debt off to the new debtor.
4. What does Scrooge learn at the Cratchit’s house?
Tiny Tim has died and the family is very sad.
5. Who is the dead man?
It is Scrooge himself.
6.What does Scrooge vow at the end of the chapter?
He promises to change his life, to honor Christmas in his heart, to remember
the lessons the Spirits have taught him if only his fate can be changed.
Chapter 10:
1.Where does Scrooge wake up? What is his reaction?
He wakes up in his own bed and he is filled with excitement. He realizes that
it is Christmas Day and the Spirits completed their tasks all in a single night.
2. What does Scrooge ask the boy in the street to do? What is his plan?
To go and buy the prize turkey at the poultry shop and bring it back to him
in five minutes. He plans to send the turkey to Bob Cratchit’s house as a
surprise.
3. Provide specific examples of how Scrooge has changed as he walks down
the street.
He is friendly to everyone. He offers a great sum of money to the men who
came to fundraise the day before.
4. Who does Scrooge spend Christmas Day with? How is he received by his
host?
His nephew Fred welcomes him warmly into his home.
5. What trick does Scrooge play on Bob Cratchit?
He pretends to be mad that Cratchit is late to work. He begins to scold him,
but then tells him that he is going to raise his salary and help him to care for
his family.
6. What happens to Tiny Tim?
He lives and Scrooge becomes like a second father to him.
7. In what ways is Scrooge a dynamic character?
He keeps his promise and lives out the rest of his life and “became a good
old man as good as the city ever knew.” It was afterwards said that “he knew
how to keep Christmas well.”
8. What is the theme of A Christmas Carol?
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It is never too late to make a change for the better.
Money does not bring happiness.
Happiness is having friends and family who love you.