Stave 5:
Intro/background:
A Christmas  The contrasting similes show Scrooge’s change: "I am as light as a
feather” “merry as a schoolboy”
Carol
 Pathetic fallacy shows change: “churches ringing out”, “No fog, no
mist; clear, bright”
Revision
 Scrooge is complimentary to others: “intelligent boy”, “remarkable
Notes/Essay boy”, “delightful boy”
Plan  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”
Stave 4:
 Scrooge has learnt from the other ghosts and can speak
for himself. He declares that the “night is waning fast” and
is a “precious time” to him. Scrooge now cares about his
life and is aware he can positively influence others.
 Scrooge is terrified 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 Christmas
it in my heart”. His transformation is complete.
Stave 3:
Stave 2:
 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.
 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.
 Dickens was a social reformer who wanted to encourage the middle class
(personified by Scrooge) to support the poor (personified by Bob Cratchit).
 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.
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.
 “Decrease the surplus population” – Scrooge must learn to give
to charity and care about his fellow man.
 The Ghost of Christmas Past wears a “tunic of the purest white” and is a “clear bright
jet of light”. It wants to light up his dark past and has arrived for Scrooge’s
“reclamation then. Take heed!”
 Scrooge is a “solitary child sat by a feeble fire”. Scrooge was neglected by his father,
which caused him to become “solitary as an oyster” and killed his Christmas spirit.
 Fezziwig “shakes hands with every individual” which shows his respect for every class.
He opens his factory for everyone and eases their burden with a party. Scrooge learns
from this and wishes to “say a word” to his clerk.
 When Belle, Scrooge’s fiancée, ends their engagement, due to a “golden idol” having
replaced her, this is the moment Scrooge becomes evil. He worships money rather
than having a connection with other people.