NAME : _______________________________________
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Year 8 Workbook
Created by S. Johnson (2010)
A Christmas Carol
Stave One: Marley’s Ghost
Stave One: Summary
* Chapter One opens with the reader being informed that Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's old business
partner, is dead.
* Ebenezer Scrooge is introduced as a cold and miserly man. It is explained the Scrooge has been miserly for
most of his life and that he seems comfortable with this characterization.
* The reader first sees Scrooge in the company of his employee, Bob Cratchit. The two men are working in
their office, which is cold because Scrooge refuses to pay for more coal.
* Scrooge's nephew, Fred, arrives full of the Christmas spirit and invites his uncle to come and celebrate
Christmas at his annual dinner party. Scrooge responds with rounds of "Bah Humbug!" and renounces Fred
for his love of the holiday.
* Soon after Fred leaves, two portly men arrive at the door asking Scrooge for holiday donations to charity.
Even though Scrooge has plenty of money, he refuses to make a donation saying that the poor should be
sent to prisons or workhouses.
* The reader also witnesses Bob Cratchit having to beg Scrooge to have Christmas Day off. After much
conversation and persuasion, Scrooge agrees to let Cratchit have the day off, but he must come in early the
next day to make up the time.
* Upon returning home after work, Scrooge sees many mysterious things, starting with the ghost of his
partner's face in his door knocker, although it promptly disappears, and a bell that seems to ring itself.
* Scrooge hears the clanking of chains, and finally, he sees the ghost of his dead partner Jacob Marley.
* Jacob Marley informs Scrooge that his spirit has been doomed to wander the earth carrying these chains
because of the way that he lived his life while alive.
* Jacob Marley tells Scrooge that three spirits will be visiting him with the hope of convincing him to change
his ways.
* Jacob Marley is joined by a hoard of other phantoms who are chained and moan about the lives that they
led while alive. This is a sight that terrifies Scrooge.
* After Marley and the phantoms leave, Scrooge collapses in his bed and immediately falls asleep.
Stave One Super Summary
Imagine you have to tweet a summary of Stave One to your friends. You have only 140 characters.
What would you write?
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Stave One Quick Quiz
1. What is Scrooge's relationship to Jacob Marley?
a) They were enemies.
b) They were best friends.
c) They were brothers.
d) They were business partners.
9. What must Marley carry around with his spirit?
a) Chains.
b) Weights.
c) Sorrow.
d) Books.
2. Which word best describes Scrooge?
a) Affectionate.
b) Bored.
c) Misery.
d) Childlike.
10. What has Marley come to do to Scrooge?
a) Change him.
b) Warn him.
c) Scare him.
d) Kill him.
3. Who stops by to invite Scrooge to a meal?
a) His nephew.
b) His cousin.
c) His son.
d) His brother.
11. How many visitors does Marley say will come
to Scrooge in the night?
a) Three.
b) One.
c) Two.
d) Four.
4. What is Scrooge's first name?
a) Ebrahim.
b) Ebenezer.
c) Eberhardt.
d) Eberto.
5. What are the men who are collecting money on
Christmas Eve, using the money for?
a) Decorations
b) Education.
c) Charity.
d) Parties.
6. What does Scrooge tell his employee to do in
exchange for his time off for the holiday?
a) Come in early the next day.
b) Take Scrooge with him to the party.
c) Cut his pay.
d) Work overtime on the weekend.
7. What is the first mysterious sound that Scrooge
hears?
a) Doorbell ringing.
b) Dogs barking.
c) Party music.
d) Raindrops falling.
8. What is the second mysterious sound that
Scrooge hears?
a) Footsteps pacing.
b) Floorboards squeaking.
c) Chains dragging.
d) Doors creaking.
12. What does Marley tell Scrooge these visitors
will hold for him?
a) A secret.
b) A photo.
c) A gift.
d) A key.
13. Who does Scrooge believe should be confined
to prisons and workhouses?
a) The poor.
b) The elderly.
c) The weak.
d) The children.
14. What does Scrooge eat a bowl of in front of the
fire before he receives his first visitor?
a) Curds.
b) Soup.
c) Pudding.
d) Gruel.
15. What does Scrooge claim is causing his images
of Jacob Marley?
a) Nightmares.
b) Fever.
c) Alcohol.
d) Food poisoning.
16. At what time will the first two visitors come for
Scrooge?
a) At midnight
b) At noon.
c) At six o'clock.
d) At one o'clock.
Stave One: Language
1. Match the word with its meaning
solemnised
An appeal or plea. An earnest or urgent request.
covetous
Able to be touched or felt.
entreaty
Gloomy. Sullen.
palpable
To block out. To render unable to be seen.
obscure
Honor or worship, particularly of the dead.
intimation
An indirect or slight suggestion
morose
Failure to observe proper behaviour or morals.
veneration
To celebrate or observe in a serious and dignified way
impropriety
Jealous. Greedily wanting what others have.
resolute
Determined, unwavering. Unable to be changed.
2. Place the following words in a sentence to demonstrate their meaning.
a. cordially ________________________________________________________________________
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b. idle ___________________________________________________________________________
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c. balustrade _____________________________________________________________________
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d. spectre ________________________________________________________________________
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e. fettered ________________________________________________________________________
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f. dirge __________________________________________________________________________
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3. Rewrite the following sentences or phrases as you might expect to find them written in modern
literature.
a. 'Let me hear another sound from you,' said Scrooge, 'and you'll keep your Christmas by losing
your situation!
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b. No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o'clock no man or
woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge.
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c. “At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more
than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who
suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds
of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”
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d. Thus secured against surprise, he took off his cravat; put on his dressing gown and slippers, and
his night cap and sat down before the fire to take his gruel.
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Stave One: Comprehension
1. “Marley was dead: to begin with.”
Why is there a colon in this sentence? What purpose does it serve?
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2. What is the simile referred to in the second paragraph?
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3. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner.
Why does Dickens use so many adjectives here?
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4. Write a similar description of the other Stave One characters
Fred:
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Marley:
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Bob Cratchit:
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5. What phrase does Scrooge utter to suggest that he will sack Bob Cratchit for agreeing with Fred?
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6. What is the history of the word ‘Bedlam’? How is it used today?
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7. Why does it say, on page 39, that Scrooge is left with an improved opinion of himself, following
the visit from the charity collectors?
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8. What is the imagery used by Dickens in reference to Scrooge’s house on page 41.
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9. How does Scrooge react to seeing Marley in the door knocker? What does this reveal about his
character?
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10. What is the pun on page 44?
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11. Why has Marley been condemned to wander as a spirit?
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Stave One: Extended Answer
1. “There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I
dare say’.
What does Fred mean by this comment? What are some of the ways Dickens explores this idea in
A Christmas Carol?
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2. “Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, "My dear Scrooge, how are
you. When will you come to see me." No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked
him what it was o'clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such
a place, of Scrooge. Even the blindmen's dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him
coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as
though they said, "No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master! "
Although Scrooge is portrayed as mean and miserly, he is also a piteous figure. How is this quote an
example of this?
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Extension Question
It is debatable how much of our personality is nurture and how much nature. How does Dickens
explore this idea through the characters of Fred and Scrooge?
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Stave One: Vocabulary Crossword
The following crossword contains vocabulary words taken from the first stave of Dicken’s A
Christmas Carol. See if you can complete it.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Across
4. antisocial, morose and unfriendly.
5. behaving in an rude or improper manner.
6. crazy. a mentally unsound person.
8. the masses. the people
13. to change from a fluid to a solid, such as
blood.
14. not hallowed. Not sacred or blessed
15. the person responsible for carrying out
the deceased will after death.
16. timid. fearful
18. determined. unwavering
19. person or organisation who benefits
under a will
20. ecstatic joy and delight.
Down
1. evidence of authority. reason for confidence or
belief in someone or something.
2. giving the idea of danger or harm
3. a tiny attic
5. to suggest something but not to say it out
right.
7. plead
9. extremely greedy and jealous of the things
others have
10. an earnest or urgent request
11. of burning or corroding. Acidic
12. to refill. To make full again
16. a trivial matter. not important
17. alone
A Christmas Carol:
Stave Two: The First of the Three Spits
Stave Two: Summary
* After Jacob Marley leaves, Scrooge quickly falls asleep. It is two o'clock in the morning when he
falls asleep, yet when he awakens, it is midnight. Scrooge is veryir confused and thinks that he has
slept through an entire day.
* Scrooge remembers that Marley told him that the spirits would be visiting him at one o'clock and
decides to wait up for his first visitor.
* The first spirit arrives at the chime of one o'clock. The first spirit looks like a mix between a young
boy and a very old man. He is described as having long white hair, a wrinkle-free face, and limbs
that are long and strong. He wears a long tunic decorated with flowers and a glimmering belt. He
holds green holly in his hand and is wearing a cap over his head from which rays of light shine.
* The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back in time through many old memories of Christmas.
At first, Scrooge is overwhelmed with memories and begins to weep. He sees the countryside
where he grew up, and himself as a young boy left alone over Christmas by his family, abandoned
at school.
* Scrooge sees the scene when as a boy, he read books and imagines that the characters in them,
such as Ali Baba and Robinson Crusoe are his friends.
* In the next scene, Scrooge sees his sister Fan coming to fetch him from school saying that their
father has grown kind and that Scrooge is to return home to his family, not just for Christmas but
forever. Scrooge embraces his sister, and it is clear that he fully loves her.
* In the next scene, Scrooge sees a party at the home of his former boss, Fezziwig. Fezziwig has
thrown a party for his employees and friends and generously sees to it that everyone is enjoying
themselves. This is a stark contrast to the way that Scrooge treats his employee.
* Next, Scrooge is reminded of the time that his girlfriend, Belle, broke off their engagement. In this
scene, Scrooge is much older and it is clear that greed has started to overtake him. Belle has
noticed this too and says that she cannot be with Scrooge anymore because his heart only has
room for his love of money and that he has changed from the caring man that she first fell in love
with.
* Finally, the spirit takes Scrooge to see Belle as she currently is: a middle-aged woman happily
married and with children. In the scene, Belle's husband is speaking to her of Scrooge, saying that
he has recently seen him and that Scrooge is "quite alone in the world."
* Hearing Belle speak about him causes Scrooge much anguish and he begs the spirit to take him
home, away from all these memories.
* There is a scuffle and Scrooge yanks the cap down over the spirit's head, attempting to extinguish
the light. Scrooge is whipped back to his bedroom where he immediately falls asleep.
Stave Two: Super Summary
Imagine you have to tweet a summary of Stave One to your friends. You have only 140 characters.
What would you write?
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Stave Two: Quick Quiz
1. Why is the time that Scrooge wakes up
significant?
a) He has traveled back in time.
b) He has moved forward in time.
c) Time no longer exists.
d) His time is standing still.
2. What does the first guest say that he is?
a) The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
b) The Ghost of Christmas Spirit.
c) The Ghost of Christmas Present.
d) The Ghost of Christmas Past.
3. What is significant about the countryside
that Scrooge and the spirit visit?
a) It is the countryside where Scrooge's father
died.
b) It is the countryside where Bob Cratchit
and his family live.
c) It is the countryside of Scrooge's youth.
d) It is the countryside where Scrooge will
spend the rest of his life.
4. When Fan comes running into the room
for Scrooge, what does she tell him?
a) That she is dying.
b) That she is going on a very long trip, but
will return for him.
c) That she never wants to see him again.
d) That she has come to take him home.
5. What is the name of the merchant under
whom Scrooge apprenticed?
a) Fuzziwud.
b) Fozziwog.
c) Fezziweg.
d) Fazziware.
6. When Scrooge sees Belle again, what is
she breaking?
a) Their engagement.
b) Her porcelain dinnerware.
c) Her leg.
d) A collection of expensive glasses.
7. What does Belle claim has corrupted
Scrooge?
a) Lust.
b) Greed.
c) Anger.
d) Poverty.
8. How is it signaled to Scrooge that there is
a visitor in his room?
a) The hands of his clock spin backward.
b) The windows fly open.
c) The bed curtains are parted.
d) His bed begins to shake.
9. Where was Scrooge left by his family
during the holiday season?
a) At an orphanage.
b) On the streets.
c) At school.
d) With a distant relative.
10. How is the man for whom Scrooge
apprenticed described?
a) As miserly.
b) As generous.
c) As intelligent.
d) As stupid.
11. As Scrooge witnesses the various scenes
of his childhood, what seems to be slipping
away from him as he grows older?
a) His greed over money.
b) His formal education.
c) His hopes for the future.
d) His ability to love.
12. How does Belle's husband describe
Scrooge?
a) As "quite alone in the world."
b) As "unrecognizable to love."
c) As "terribly successful."
d) As "a man to be feared."
Stave Two: Language
1. Match the word with its meaning
opaque
Able to die. Of humankind.
perplexed
Extreme greed and lust for material wealth
receded
Impenetrable to light. Not transparent.
mortal
Looking worn out or exhausted.
vestige
Confused. Beweildered.
jocund
Cheerful and merry.
tumult
To hold or tie someone’s arms and legs.
avarice
Moved back.
haggard
A small or trace amount.
pinioned
A large confusing noise, especially as caused by a large group
2. Place the following words in a sentence to demonstrate their meaning.
a. earnest ________________________________________________________________________
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b. mournful_______________________________________________________________________
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c. jovial ________________________________________________________________________
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d. ferocious _______________________________________________________________________
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e. boisterous ______________________________________________________________________
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f. brigand ________________________________________________________________________
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3. Rewrite the following sentences or phrases as you might expect to find them written in modern
literature.
a. ‘Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend, or any knowledge of having wilfully
‘bonnetted’ the Spirit at any period of his life.’
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b. 'It matters little,' she said, softly. 'To you, very little. Another idol has displaced me; and if it can
cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.'
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c. Old Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock, which pointed to the hour of seven.
He rubbed his hands; adjusted his capacious waistcoat; laughed all over himself, from his shoes to
his organ of benevolence; and called out in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice….
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Stave Two: Comprehension
1. What does the Ghost of Christmas Past look like?
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2. What does Scrooge see in the first scene from his childhood?
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3. What house is being discussed on page 58?
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4. How is Mr Fezziwig’s warmth and generosity illustrated in this Stave?
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5. “A small matter,”said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.” What point is the
Spirit trying to make?
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6.
Does Scrooge love Belle? Why do you think he lets her go?
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Stave Two: Extended Answer
1. “How does Scrooge’s childhood affect the man he becomes in later life? How might we view his
avarice as born of his experiences as a boy?
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2. Scrooge isolates himself from humankind so that they cannot reject him. Discuss
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Extension Question
Is Scrooge alone because of circumstance or choice? Discuss.
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Stave Two: Word Find
There are fifteen characters from A Christmas Carol in the word find below. See if you can find
them all.
TUVJYDKYLXGYZZLTLBHTFETGF
KBPFUELMEANTAQDNRZEDTIVIR
AMVLXYYELRAMBOCAJEFLMDHWE
MOMMARTHACRATCHITQBCLRVID
QNLNMFSTCSORIMEERARLYEYZM
KMOIBHAOWJOJIMDRRAYSIHVZL
MIAMVDFDOIOKQCXUTFDORDGEH
PEKGSILEOOSYMZWCFOAGARSFN
TNESERPSAMTSIRHCFOTSOHGRK
TIHCTARCRETEPISIQIKBCDXMM
GHOSTOFCHRISTMASYETTOCOME
LGHOSTOFCHRISTMASPASTYWXV
EGOORCSREZENEBEPUYUWPUPPF
BOBCRATCHITVYFOIAUVWRESID
MEZMVGRFANSCROOGEXFGNYSER
Characters found:
1.
9.
2.
10.
3.
11.
4.
12.
5.
13.
6.
14.
7.
15.
8.
Stave Three: Summary
* As Chapter Three opens, Scrooge awakens himself with a large snort. He is ready for his next
visitor, but when the clock strikes one, no one appears. Instead, the room is swathed in a strange
light. Scrooge thinks that the light must be coming from the next room.
* When Scrooge goes to the next room, he finds that it has been completely redecorated into a
holiday wonderland, and the second spirit is in the middle of it all.
* The Spirit is a giant, wearing green robes and sitting atop a massive Christmas feast. He identifies
himself as The Ghost of Christmas Present.
* The two are transported to the home of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's employee, where they witness
the family's holiday festivities. The Cratchit family is visibly poor but their home is full of love.
* Scrooge becomes particularly interested in the youngest Cratchit child, a son named Tiny Tim
who walks with a crutch. The Spirit tells Scrooge that while Tim may seem happy and well, he will
not live.
* Scrooge is immediately ashamed for refusing to donate to the two men who helped the sick and
the poor. Scrooge is even more ashamed when he sees that despite his ill-treatment of Bob
Cratchit, Cratchit is gracious enough to offer a toast to Scrooge's health.
* Mrs. Cratchit refuses to drink to Scrooge's health, saying that he is stingy.
* Scrooge and the Spirit leave to see Christmas on the London streets. First, they stop at the home
of a family of coal miners who seem to be having a lovely Christmas despite their setting.
* After seeing the coal miners, the two stop at the celebration of two lighthouse workers who are
drinking together and singing Christmas songs. Also, they make a stop to see some sailors who are
singing together and sharing Christmas memories even though they are miles away from their
families.
* The Spirit takes Scrooge to witness the Christmas party that Fred is throwing. There, Scrooge
receives Fred's well wishes, despite the disagreement of the fellow party-goers. Fred hopes that
one day, Scrooge will thaw. He also believes that Scrooge's attitude harms no one but himself.
* The party-goers at Fred's party begins to sing and dance and play games.
* Even though he is invisible, Scrooge attempts to play along and has such a good time that he begs
the Spirit to let him stay. The Spirit, however, cannot comply and the two leave.
* Once they leave the party, and again begin to witness Christmases around the world, Scrooge
realizes that the Spirit is aging. The Spirit tells him that his earthly life can last only one day.
* Scrooge then sees two sick and horrible children grasping at the robes of the spirit. The Spirit tells
him that the children were born of man: the boy is called Ignorance, and the girl is called Want. The
spirit warns Scrooge to stay away from both of them.
* Scrooge asks if there are any services to help these poor children. The Spirit responds with
Scrooge's own words, "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?"
* With that last statement, the clock strikes twelve and the Spirit leaves.
* As the second spirit leaves, Scrooge notices a dark hooded figure making its way toward him.
Stave Three Super Summary
Imagine you have to tweet a summary of Stave Three to your friends. You have only 140 characters.
What would you write?
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Stave Three: Quick Quiz
1. When Scrooge awakens before his second
visitor, what has filled his room?
a) Light.
b) Money.
c) Water.
d) Music.
2. Whose home does the second visitor first take
Scrooge to?
a) Jacob Marley's.
b) Old Fezziwig's.
c) Bob Cratchit's.
d) His nephew Fred's.
3. What is Tim's attitude to being ill?
a) He is still joyful.
b) He is angry.
c) He hasn't been told.
d) He is confused.
4. How does Scrooge react to the news of Tim's
future?
a) He is confused.
b) He is apathetic.
c) He is proud.
d) He is ashamed.
5. In whose name is the Christmas toast given?
a) Tim Cratchit.
b) Ebenezer Scrooge.
c) Jacob Marley.
d) Old Fezziwig.
9. What is the name of the boy who grasps at the
Spirit's robe?
a) Want.
b) Hunger.
c) Ignorance.
d) Malice.
10. To whom does the Spirit say that the children
belong?
a) To the Spirit world.
b) To the heavens.
c) To Man.
d) To Scrooge.
11. What does the Spirit ask Scrooge to touch in
order to be transported?
a) His hair.
b) His heart.
c) His robe.
d) His hand.
12. What is Mrs. Cratchit preparing for their
Christmas meal?
a) Dove.
b) Goose.
c) Turkey.
d) Pheasant.
13. How does Bob Cratchit carry around Tiny Tim?
a) In his hands.
b) In his arms.
c) On his back.
d) On his shoulders.
6. What are the lighthouse workers drinking on
Christmas?
a) Eggnog.
b) Spiced wine.
c) Grog.
d) Champagne.
14. What does Scrooge see in all the Christmases
that he visited with the Spirit?
a) The fact that, like Scrooge, many people don't
celebrate Christmas.
b) Misery at the state of the world.
c) Anger at Scrooge's selfishness.
d) Happiness and love.
7. What type of Christmas does Scrooge
overhear Fred wishing him?
a) A miserable one.
b) A lonely one.
c) A life-changing one.
d) A happy one.
15. Which of the following does NOT describe
the Scrooge's second visitor?
a) He wore holly in a wreath on his head.
b) He was wearing a green robe.
c) He had bare feet.
d) He had short, red hair.
8. What does Scrooge notice is changing about
the Spirit as they make their way through the
Christmas celebrations?
a) He is growing.
b) He is aging.
c) He is glowing.
d) He is shrinking.
16. What instrument is being played at Fred's
Christmas party?
a) A violin.
b) A cello.
c) A flute.
d) A harp.
Stave Three: Language
1. Match the word with its meaning
prodigious
Ghost, phantom, spirit
spectre
Relative
petrifaction
Immoral, licentious.
capacious
Impressively great in size or extent; extraordinary.
wanton
An inclination to believe things too easily. Gullible.
benevolence
Generosity. An inclination towards charity.
genial
Spacious, roomy. Able to hold a great quantity
kin
Turned to stone, stunned with shock or fear
rampant
Having a pleasant or friendly manner.
credulity
Unrestrained or unchecked
2. Place the following words in a sentence to demonstrate their meaning.
a. livid __________________________________________________________________________
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b. ubiquitous______________________________________________________________________
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c. steeped________________________________________________________________________
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d. odious_______________________________________________________________________
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e. capacious______________________________________________________________________
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f. tarry ________________________________________________________________________
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3. Rewrite the following sentences or phrases as you might expect to find them written in modern
literature.
a. 'Gentlemen of the free-and-easy sort, who plume themselves on being acquainted with a move
or two, and being usually equal to the time-of-day, express the wide range of their capacity for
adventure by observing that they are good for anything from pitch-and-toss to manslaughter;
between which opposite extremes, no doubt, there lies a tolerably wide and comprehensive range
of subjects’
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b. ‘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.’
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c. ‘For, the people who were shovelling away on the housetops were jovial and full of glee; calling
out to one another from the parapets, and now and then exchanging a facetious snowball -- betternatured missile far than many a wordy jest -- laughing heartily if it went right and not less heartily if
it went wrong.’
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Stave Three: Comprehension
1. What toast does Bob Cratchit give to Scrooge, and how does his family respond?
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2. What is Fred's opinion of his uncle Scrooge?
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3. What is the Spirit's response to Scrooge's question regarding help for the two children under his robes?
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4. What is the term used to describe Dickens’ device of having children represent the concepts of ‘want’ and
‘ignorance’?
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5. What happens when the Spirit sprinkles water from his torch? What is Dickens illustrating about
Christmas with this metaphor?
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6.
Read the extract below. What social commentary is Scrooge making and what is meant by the Spirit’s
response?
"Spirit," said Scrooge, after a moment's thought, "I wonder you, of all the beings in the many worlds about us,
should desire to cramp these people's opportunities of innocent enjoyment."
"I!" cried the Spirit.
"You would deprive them of their means of dining every seventh day, often the only day on which they can be
said to dine at all," said Scrooge. "Wouldn't you?"
"I!" cried the Spirit.
"You seek to close these places on the Seventh Day," said Scrooge. "And it comes to the same thing."
"I seek!" exclaimed the Spirit.
"Forgive me if I am wrong. It has been done in your name, or at least in that of your family," said Scrooge.
"There are some upon this earth of yours," returned the Spirit, "who lay claim to know us, and who do their
deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us
and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves,
not us."
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7. How has Mrs Scrooge made herself look nice for Christmas?
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8. What sort of dinner do the Cratchit’s aspire to?
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9. Explain the significance of Tiny Tim’s comment in church.
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10. Why does the ghost show Scrooge the scenes of the miners, the lighthousemen and the
shipsmen?
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Stave Three: Extended response
1. A Christmas Carol is, in part, a comment on the spirit of Christmas. Chose one character from the novel
and explore how you feel they live out the spirit of Christmas.
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Extension Question
Dickens places want and ignorance under the robes of the Spirit of Christmas Present. Why these
two concepts? In what way are they important issues of his time?
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Stave Four: Summary
* The third Spirit comes to visit Scrooge and unlike the other two, he cannot speak. He simply raises
a hand, pointing in the direction that he wants Scrooge to follow.
* Scrooge is immediately overcome with a feeling of fear and foreboding.
* On the streets of London, Scrooge overhears the conversation of some businessmen about the
death of a man they call "Old Scratch." Scrooge does no understand the importance of the
conversation.
* Scrooge goes to visit a pawnshop where he witnesses his laundress attempting to sell the burial
clothing and bed sheets of her master. Scrooge believes that this is the fate that will befall him if he
does not change his ways.
* Scrooge questions whether anyone feels sadness over his death. In response to this question, the
Spirit takes Scrooge to see a family who is rejoicing in Scrooge's death because they owed him
money and were about to lose their home.
* When Scrooge hears the response of the family to the man's death, he begs the Spirit to "Let me
see some tenderness connected with a death."
* In response to his request, the Spirit takes Scrooge to the Cratchit home. Even though it is
Christmas, the family is somber. It soon becomes clear to Scrooge that this change has occurred
because Tiny Tim has died.
* Even though Bob is overcome with grief, he manages to explain that Fred, Ebenezer Scrooge's
nephew, has been entirely generous, and that the family must keep Tiny Tim's death as a constant
reminder to stay close to each other, and to remember that even in sorrow, there is hope.
* Scrooge demands to know who the dead man was that was being spoken of so callously in the
earlier scenes. When he receives no answer, he decides that he would like to see himself in the
future, and goes looking for himself with the hopes of seeing what has changed.
* When he cannot find himself, Scrooge enters the cemetery and reality begins to set in. He asks
the Spirit if these are shadows of things that "Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be,
only?" Of course, the Spirit says nothing in response, he only points to a gravestone which reads
the name Ebenezer Scrooge.
* When he sees this, Scrooge attempts to plead with the Spirit, grabbing at him, but fails.
* With his last breath, Scrooge sends up a prayer to reverse his fate, and finds himself awake,
returned to his bedroom, clutching a bedpost.
Stave Four: Super Summary
Imagine you have to tweet a summary of Stave Four to your friends. You have only 140 characters.
What would you write?
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Stave Four: Quick Quiz
1. What does the third Spirit say to Scrooge
when he sees him?
a) "Merry Christmas, Scrooge."
b) "Come with me, sir."
c) Nothing, the Spirit cannot speak.
d) "Bah humbug!"
2. What feeling floods Scrooge when he meets
the third Spirit?
a) Love.
b) Confusion.
c) Hope.
d) Fear.
3. What name do the men give to the man who
has died?
a) Young Scrape.
b) Tall Sip.
c) Short Shine.
d) Old Scratch.
4. What has the laundress stolen from the dead
body, which Scrooge finds most shocking?
a) His books.
b) His wallet.
c) His candlesticks.
d) His bed sheets.
5. Why is the family that Scrooge visits so happy
to hear of the death of the dead man?
a) Because the father will take over the dead
man's job.
b) Because the dead man was a crooked politician.
c) Because they owed the dead man money.
d) Because the dead man left them a large
inheritance.
6. What has changed about the Cratchit family
during the visit with the third Spirit?
a) They are no longer poor.
b) They are no longer happy.
c) Bob no longer works for Ebenezer Scrooge.
d) They no longer believe in Christmas.
7. When the Spirit takes Scrooge to see the
Cratchits, which character has died?
a) Martha Cratchit.
b) Bob Cratchit.
c) Peter Cratchit.
d) Tiny Tim Cratchit.
8. In response to the death in the family, which
character reacts generously to the family?
a) Fred.
b) Fan.
c) Jacob Marley.
d) Scrooge.
9. Who does Scrooge decide that he would like
to catch a glimpse of now that he has recognized
that he is seeing the future?
a) Jacob Marley.
b) Himself.
c) Bob Cratchit.
d) Tiny Tim.
20. What is the Spirit's response to the question
of whether these are the things that will surely
come to pass?
a) Yes, they will pass certainly.
b) The Spirit gives no answer.
c) No, these things will not come to pass.
d) These things may come to pass if things are not
changed.
22. What is the name on the tombstone that
Scrooge finds himself at?
a) Jacob Marley.
b) Bob Cratchit.
c) Timothy Cratchit.
d) Ebenezer Scrooge.
23. What does Scrooge do after he sees the
name on the tombstone?
a) Pray.
b) Scream.
c) Laugh.
d) Cry.
24. When Scrooge is returned to his bedroom,
what does he wake up clutching?
a) Himself.
b) His wallet.
c) His pillow.
d) His bedpost.
26. What does Scrooge promise to honor, from
the bottom of his heart?
a) The Spirit.
b) Money.
c) Christmas.
d) Family.
28. In the cemetery, what part of the Spirit
shrinks and collapses?
a) His robe.
b) His head.
c) His heart.
d) His voice.
Stave Four: Language
1. Match the word with its meaning
shrouded
An abnormal growth, such as a wart.
inclined
To linger or fall behind
excrescence
Something that conceals, protects, or screens
roused
Lag behind, delay
straggling
Having a variety of characteristics, abilities, or appearances
scrutinise
Having a preference for. A tendency toward
miscellaneous
Without pity or compassion.
loiter
To be woken or excited to action.
recoil
To shrink back, as in fear.
merciless
To examine closely
2. Place the following words in a sentence to demonstrate their meaning.
a. threshold_______________________________________________________________________
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b. intercede ______________________________________________________________________
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c. inexorable _____________________________________________________________________
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d. faltered _______________________________________________________________________
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e. reconciled______________________________________________________________________
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f. quarrel ________________________________________________________________________
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3. Rewrite the following sentences or phrases as you might expect to find them written in modern
literature.
a. He looked about in that very place for his own image; but another man stood in his accustomed
corner, and though the clock pointed to his usual time of day for being there, he saw no likeness of
himself among the multitudes that poured in through the Porch. It gave him little surprise, however;
for he had been revolving in his mind a change of life, and thought and hoped he saw his new-born
resolutions carried out in this.
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b. ‘"If there is any person in the town, who feels emotion caused by this man's death," said Scrooge quite
agonised, "show that person to me, Spirit, I beseech you."
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c. ‘"If there is any person in the town, who feels emotion caused by this man's death," said Scrooge quite
agonised, "show that person to me, Spirit, I beseech you."
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Stave Four: Comprehension
1. Why does Dickens conceal the figure of the third Spirit? How has this technique been used to
create scary characters in modern films?
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2. Why does Scrooge fear the third spirit most of all?
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3. Who does Scrooge first think the Spirit is showing him?
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4. Why are the young couple happy to hear of Scrooge’s death?
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11. How do things change or the Cratchits in the future?
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12. Why does Scrooge ask the Spirit I the uture can be changed, beore they enter the churchyard?
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Stave Four: Extended Response
Dickens juxtaposes the joyous and the grim in his tale. Use the quote below to discuss some of the
ways he does this.
Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so, that people ran about with flaring links, proffering
their services to go before horses in carriages, and conduct them on their way. The ancient tower of
a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge out of a gothic window in
the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds, with tremulous
vibrations afterwards as if its teeth were chattering in its frozen head up there. The cold became
intense. In the main street, at the corner of the court, some labourers were repairing the gas-pipes,
and had lighted a great fire in a brazier, round which a party of ragged men and boys were
gathered: warming their hands and winking their eyes before the blaze in rapture. The water-plug
being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and turned to misanthropic ice. The
brightness of the shops where holly sprigs and berries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows,
made pale faces ruddy as they passed. Poulterers' and grocers' trades became a splendid joke: a
glorious pageant, with which it was next to impossible to believe that such dull principles as bargain
and sale had anything to do. The Lord Mayor, in the stronghold of the might Mansion House, gave
orders to his fifty cooks and butlers to keep Christmas as a Lord Mayor's household should; and
even the little tailor, whom he had fined five shillings on the previous Monday for being drunk and
bloodthirsty in the streets, stirred up tomorrow's pudding in his garret, while his lean wife and the
baby sallied out to buy the beef.
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2. Choose one of the following themes and discuss how it is explored in the novel, A Christmas
Carol:
- Personal change a redemption
- Value against worth
- Social injustice
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Stave Five: Summary
* Scrooge awakens full of the Christmas spirit. He barely dresses, dancing while he shaves, and
shouts "Merry Christmas!" to all that he sees.
* Scrooge encounters a young boy on the streets and offers him a large sum of money to go to the
butcher and purchase the prize-winning turkey that is hanging in the window. He asks the boy to
anonymously deliver the turkey to the Cratchit family for their Christmas dinner.
* Scrooge then encounters the debt collectors that he had previously rebuffed and promises to
make large donations for the past and the present. He also apologizes for his previous rudeness
and stinginess.
* Scrooge heads to his nephew Fred's home for Christmas dinner. While Fred is overjoyed at his
uncle's transformation, the rest of the party guests are shocked and suspicious of Scrooge's change.
* The next morning, Bob Cratchit is eighteen and a half minutes late to work. Scrooge puts on the
airs of being angry, but in the place of a lashing, he shocks Bob by offering him a large raise.
* Scrooge promises Bob that he will help his family in any way that he can from now until forever.
* The novel ends by describing the new relationship of Tiny Tim and Scrooge: Scrooge has become
like a second father to the young boy.
* Tiny Tim begins to recover and the novel ends with his famous quote, "God bless us, every one!"
Stave Five Super Summary
Imagine you have to tweet a summary of Stave Five to your friends. You have only 140 characters.
What would you write?
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Stave Five: Language
1. Match the word with its meaning
amends
Payback. Compensation.
frisk
To avoid or decline to have
illustrious
Chubby. Well fed.
recompense
Making up or a wrongdoing
blithe
To move sideways, to edge along secretly
plump
Dancing and jumping playfully.
stagger
Carefree and lighthearted.
abstinence
Distinguished, eminent.
sidle
To delay, to hang back.
loiter
Walk unsteadily
Stave Five: Comprehension questions
1. Why is Scrooge surprised to discover that it is Christmas morning?
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2. How do we see that Scrooge’s approach to people has change through his interaction with the
boy outside his window?
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3. What word is the charity collector cut off from saying? What does it mean?
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4. What do we learn about Fred from his reaction to Scrooge?
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5. How does the story end?
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A Christmas Carol: Discussion questions
What are some of the ways that Dickens builds tension and makes his opening scary?
Why have Marley visit Scrooge before the three spirits? What were the benefits of including this character
interaction?
How might Scrooge and Belle’s life been different if their wedding had gone ahead?
What child characters are their in the novel and how does Dickens use them?
When hiding unseen with the second Spirit, Scrooge allows himself to enjoy his nephew’s party. To what
extent do we conform to the person we think other people expect of us? In what ways is it good to do so? IN
what ways bad?
Dickens had strong political views. What views can you see him promoting in this novel? (discuss social
justice issues).
A Christmas Carol explores to what extent we choose what we are like and to what extent our nature and
experiences make us who we are. What do you think is inherent (in born) in you? What do you think comes
from your life experiences? What have you chosen?
Each of the three spirits is portrayed in a different way. Why has Dickens chosen that particular form for
each spirit? How does each spirit represent past, present and future in a physical way?
Which scene do you think has the greatest effect on Scrooge? Which do you think should have the greatest
effect?
What genre would you say this novel is in? Horror? Drama? Tragedy? Comedy?
Imagine that you won $5 million. What would you do with the money (you can assume you are an adult if
you prefer). What should you spend it on? Do you have more money than you need to survive right now?
Should you give more to people who currently go without?
A Christmas Carol: Character Portraits
Use this page to collect quotes, words and phrases used to describe the various characters of A Christmas Carol
Scrooge
Marley
Spirit of Christmas Past
Spirit of Christmas Present
Spirit of Christmas Yet to
come
Bob Cratchit
Fred
Belle
A Christmas Carol: Themes
As you read the novel, us this page to collect quotes, words and phrases that relate to certain themes in A Christmas Carol. It will make it easier for you
when it comes time to write your essay.
Redemption and personal
transformation
Critique of Victorian times
- class divisions
Value versus worth
(time versus money. Being poor in
monetary terms but rich in others)
Christmas spirit