A Christmas Carol

Question 1

Background to Dickens

Answer 1

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, and spent the first nine years of his life living in the coastal regions of Kent, a county in southeast England. Dickens’ father, John, was a kind and likable man, but he was financially irresponsible, piling up tremendous debts throughout his life. When Dickens was nine, his family moved to London. At twelve, his father was arrested and sent to debtors’ prison. Dickens’ mother moved seven of their children into prison with their father but arranged for Cha rles to live alone outside the prison, working with other child laborers at a hellish job pasting labels on bottles in a blacking warehouse.

The three months Charles spent apart from his family were severely traumatic. He viewed his job as a miserable trap–he considered himself too good for it, stirring the contempt of his worker-companions. After his father was released from prison, Dickens returned to school, eventually becoming a law clerk. He went on to serve as a court reporter before taking his place as one of the most popular English novelists of his time. At age 25, Dickens completed his first novel, The Pickwick Papers, which met with great success. This started his career as an English literary celebrity, during which he produced such masterpieces as Great Expectations, David Copperfield, and A Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens’ beloved novella A Christmas Carol was written in 1843, with the intention of drawing readers’ attention to the plight of England’s poor. (Social criticism, a recurring theme in Dickens’ work, resounds most strongly in his novel Hard Times.) In the tale, Dickens stealthily combines a somewhat indirect description of hardships faced by the poor with a heart-rending, sentimental celebration of the Christmas season. The calloused character of the apathetic penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, who opens his heart after being confronted by three spirits, remains one of Dickens’ most widely recognized and popular creations.

A Christmas Carol takes the form of a relatively simplistic allegory–it is seldom considered one of Dickens’ important literary contributions. The novella’s emotional depth, brilliant narration, and endearing characters, however, offer plenty of rewards for literature students, Dickensian fans, and Grinches alike. Like A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol has won much appreciation among general readers despite being dismissed by scholarly critics of Dickens’ work.

Question 2

Quick plot overview

Answer 2

A mean-spirited, miserly old man named Ebenezer Scrooge sits in his counting-house on a frigid Christmas Eve. His clerk, Bob Cratchit, shivers in the anteroom because Scrooge refuses to spend money on heating coals for a fire. Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, pays his uncle a visit and invites him to his annual Christmas party. Two portly gentlemen also drop by and ask Scrooge for a contribution to their charity. Scrooge reacts to the holiday visitors with bitterness and venom, spitting out an angry “Bah! Humbug!” in response to his nephew’s “Merry Christmas!”

Later that evening, after returning to his dark, cold apartment, Scrooge receives a chilling visitation from the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley. Marley, looking haggard and pallid, relates his unfortunate story. As punishment for his greedy and self-serving life his spirit has been condemned to wander the Earth weighted down with heavy chains. Marley hopes to save Scrooge from sharing the same fate. Marley informs Scrooge that three spirits will visit him during each of the next three nights. After the wraith disappears, Scrooge collapses into a deep sleep.

He wakes moments before the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past, a strange childlike phantom with a brightly glowing head. The spirit escorts Scrooge on a journey into the past to previous Christmases from the curmudgeon’s earlier years. Invisible to those he watches, Scrooge revisits his childhood school days, his apprenticeship with a jolly merchant named Fezziwig, and his engagement to Belle, a woman who leaves Scrooge because his lust for money eclipses his ability to love another. Scrooge, deeply moved, sheds tears of regret before the phantom returns him to his bed.

The Ghost of Christmas Present, a majestic giant clad in a green fur robe, takes Scrooge through London to unveil Christmas as it will happen that year. Scrooge watches the large, bustling Cratchit family prepare a miniature feast in its meager home. He discovers Bob Cratchit’s crippled son, Tiny Tim, a courageous boy whose kindness and humility warms Scrooge’s heart. The specter then zips Scrooge to his nephew’s to witness the Christmas party. Scrooge finds the jovial gathering delightful and pleads with the spirit to stay until the very end of the festivities. As the day passes, the spirit ages, becoming noticeably older. Toward the end of the day, he shows Scrooge two starved children, Ignorance and Want, living under his coat. He vanishes instantly as Scrooge notices a dark, hooded figure coming toward him.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come leads Scrooge through a sequence of mysterious scenes relating to an unnamed man’s recent death. Scrooge sees businessmen discussing the dead man’s riches, some vagabonds trading his personal effects for cash, and a poor couple expressing relief at the death of their unforgiving creditor. Scrooge, anxious to learn the lesson of his latest visitor, begs to know the name of the dead man. After pleading with the ghost, Scrooge finds himself in a churchyard, the spirit pointing to a grave. Scrooge looks at the headstone and is shocked to read his own name. He desperately implores the spirit to alter his fate, promising to renounce his insensitive, avaricious ways and to honor Christmas with all his heart. Whoosh! He suddenly finds himself safely tucked in his bed.

Overwhelmed with joy by the chance to redeem himself and grateful that he has been returned to Christmas Day, Scrooge rushes out onto the street hoping to share his newfound Christmas spirit. He sends a giant Christmas turkey to the Cratchit house and attends Fred’s party, to the stifled surprise of the other guests. As the years go by, he holds true to his promise and honors Christmas with all his heart: he treats Tiny Tim as if he were his own child, provides lavish gifts for the poor, and treats his fellow human beings with kindness, generosity, and warmth.

SUMMARISE THIS

Question 3

What happens in Stave 1?

Answer 3

• The reader is introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge who only cares about making money. It is Christmas Eve and he won’t pay to heat the office properly. This means that his clerk, Bob Cratchit, is very cold.
• Scrooge has four Christmas visitors: his nephew, Fred; two charity collectors; and a carol singer. Scrooge is rude to all of them and sends them away.
• That night the Ghost of Jacob Marley, his dead business partner, appears. He tells Scrooge that his mean way of life will lead to misery and that three Ghosts will visit him to show him the error of his ways.

The allegorical nature of A Christmas Carol leads to relatively simplistic symbolism and a linear plot. The latter is divided into five Staves, each containing a distinct episode in Scrooge’s spiritual re-education. The first Stave centers on the visitation from Marley’s ghost, the middle three present the tales of the three Christmas spirits, and the last concludes the story, showing how Scrooge has changed from an inflexible curmudgeon to a warm and joyful benefactor. Underlying the narrative and paralleling the more ostensible theme of moral redemption, lies an incisive political diatribe. Dickens takes aim at the Poor Laws then governing the underclass of Victorian England. He exposes the flaws of the unfair system of government that essentially restricts the underclass to life in prison or in a workhouse. (Dickens’ own father served time in debtor’s prison.) Dickens’ sympathetic portrayal of Bob Cratchit and his family puts a human face on the lower classes. Through Scrooge’s implicit defense of the Poor Laws (his argument that prisons are the only “charity” he cares to support), Dickens dismisses the excuses of the indifferent upper class as an irresponsible, selfish, and cruel defense.

Question 4

What happens in Stave 2?

Answer 4

Summary
Scrooge awakes at midnight, which leaves him baffled–it was well after two a.m. when he went to bed. Initially, he thinks he has slept through an entire day or that it’s actually noon and the sun has merely gone under some sort of cover. He suddenly remembers the words of Marley’s ghost. The first of the three spirits will arrive at one o’clock. Frightened, Scrooge decides to wait for his supernatural visitor.

At one o’clock, the curtains of Scrooge’s bed are blown aside by a strange, childlike figure emanating an aura of wisdom and a richness of experience. The spirit uses a cap to cover the light that glows from its head. The specter softly informs Scrooge that he is the Ghost of Christmas Past and orders the mesmerized man to rise and walk with him. The spirit touches Scrooge’s heart, granting him the ability to fly. The pair exits through the window.

The ghost transports Scrooge to the countryside where he was raised. He sees his old school, his childhood mates, and familiar landmarks of his youth. Touched by these memories, Scrooge begins to sob. The ghost takes the weeping man into the school where a solitary boy–a young Ebenezer Scrooge–passes the Christmas holiday all alone. The ghost takes Scrooge on a depressing tour of more Christmases of the past–the boy in the schoolhouse grows older. At last, a little girl, Scrooge’s sister Fan, runs into the room, and announces that she has come to take Ebenezer home. Their father is much kinder, she says. He has given his consent to Ebenezer’s return. The young Scrooge, delighted to see his sister, embraces her joyfully. The aged Scrooge regretfully tells the ghost that Fan died many years ago and is the mother of his nephew Fred.

The ghost escorts Scrooge to more Christmases of the past including a merry party thrown by Fezziwig, the merchant with whom Scrooge apprenticed as a young man. Scrooge later sees a slightly older yet still boyish version of himself in conversation with a lovely young woman named Belle. She is breaking off their engagement crying that greed has corrupted the love that used to impassion Scrooge’s heart. The spirit takes Scrooge to a more recent Christmas scene where a middle-aged Belle reminisces with her husband about her former fiancé, Scrooge. The husband says that Scrooge is now “quite alone in the world.” The older Scrooge can no longer bear the gripping visions. He begs the Ghost of Christmas Past to take him back, back to his home. Tormented and full of despair, Scrooge seizes the ghost’s hat and pulls it firmly over top of the mystical child’s head, dimming the light. As the inextinguishable, luminous rays flood downward onto the ground, Scrooge finds himself zipped back in his bedroom, where he stumbles to bed yet again and falls asleep immediately.

Commentary
In the allegory of A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Past represents memory. The aged appearance of the childlike figure touches on the role of memory as a force that connects the different stages of a person’s life. His glowing head suggests the illuminating power of the mind. The ghost initiates Scrooge’s conversion from anti-Christmas grinch to a poster boy for the holiday season. Each episode in the montage of scenes shows a younger Scrooge who still possesses the ability to love, a person who is still in touch with his fellow human beings. As the visions pass before him, Scrooge watches himself become ever more cold and greedy until the ultimate scenes. His all-consuming lust for money destroys his love for Belle and completes his reversion to a niggardly venomous recluse. The tour through his memories forces Scrooge to recall the emotional episodes of his past. This dreamlike series of hallucinatory home movies brings the otherwise hardened man to tears. This breakdown and the reconnection with his feeling self initiates the process of melting away Scrooge’s cold bah-humbug exterior.

An important aspect of A Christmas Carol (which is probably today’s most popular Christmas tale, save for the seminal holiday story of Christ’s birth) is its modern view of Christmas as a joyous holiday rather than as a solemn holy day. Eschewing the religious ideals of asceticism and austerity, the story promotes the more earthly values of universal brotherhood, communal good spirit, and prosperous celebration. It is not immoral to possess riches or to throw lavish Christmas party or to enjoy a great feast, precisely because these things have the potential to spread joy and happiness–the purpose of the holiday season. One violates the Christmas spirit of goodwill when his desire for material pleasure–money, luxuries, sex–prevents him from sharing himself with others. Dickens first sketches this perspective on moral standards with the Christmas party at Fezziwig’s shop, which includes an exhilarating dance that bears little relation to the Birth of Christ or the Christian tradition. The religious underpinnings of Christmas are always present in the story’s backdrop–like the church clock that keeps time throughout the tale–but, in general, Dickens uses them to refine and reflect his more contemporary conception of the holiday and his commentary on the plight of the poor.

Question 5

What happens is Stave 3?

Answer 5

Summary
The church clock strikes one, startling Scrooge, who awakes in mid-snore. Glad to be awake, he hopes to confront the second spirit just as it arrives. The echoes of the church bell fade, however, and no ghost appears. Somewhat disappointed, Scrooge waits for 15 minutes after which a bright light begins to stream down upon him. Curious and a bit befuddled, Scrooge pads into the other room where he finds the second spirit waiting for him.

The figure, a majestic giant clad in green robes, sits atop a throne made of a gourmet feast. In a booming voice, the spirit announces himself as the Ghost of Christmas Present. He tells Scrooge that he has more than 1800 brothers and his lifespan is a mere single day. The spirit orders Scrooge to touch his robe. Upon doing so, the feast and the room vanish instantly and Scrooge finds himself alongside the spirit in the midst of the bustling city on Christmas morning. Blissful passersby take pleasure in the wondrous sights and smells abounding through the shop doors. People merrily shovel snow, tote bags of presents, and greet one another with a cheery “Merry Christmas!”

The spirit then takes Scrooge to the meager home of Bob Cratchit, where Mrs. Cratchit and her children prepare a Christmas goose and savor the few Christmas treats they can afford. The oldest daughter, Martha, returns from her job at a milliner’s. The oldest son, Peter, wears a stiff-collared shirt, a hand-me-down from his father. Bob comes in carrying the crippled young tyke, Tiny Tim, on his shoulders. The family is more than content despite its skimpy Christmas feast. Scrooge begs to know whether Tiny Tim will survive. The spirit replies that given the current conditions in the Cratchit house, there will inevitably be an empty chair at next year’s Christmas dinner.

The spirit takes Scrooge to a number of other Christmas gatherings, including the festivities of an isolated community of miners and a party aboard a ship. He also takes Scrooge to Fred’s Christmas party, where Scrooge loses himself in the numerous party games and has a wildly entertaining time, though none of the party guests can actually see him. As the night unfolds, the ghost grows older. At last, Scrooge and the ghost come to a vast and desolate expanse. Here, the ghost shows Scrooge a pair of starving children who travel with him beneath his robes–their names are Ignorance and Want. Scrooge inquires if nothing can be done to help them. Mockingly, the ghost quotes Scrooge’s earlier retort, “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”

The spirit disappears as the clock strikes midnight and Scrooge eyes a hooded phantom coming toward him.

Commentary
The Ghost of Christmas Present serves as the central symbol of the Christmas ideal–generosity, goodwill, and celebration. Appearing on a throne made of food, the spirit evokes thoughts of prosperity, satiety, and merriment. Similarly, the moral outlook of A Christmas Carol has little to do with the solemnity of a religious occasion. Christmas, in Dickens’ mind, should not bring about self-denial, renunciation, or emotional withdrawal. Christmas is a time of sharing one’s riches–emotional, spiritual, monetary, etc.–with the community of man. A feast is a wonderful thing but only if one has loved ones with whom to share it. In this sense, the Ghost of Christmas Present also represents empathy enabling Scrooge to not only see the Cratchits but to feel the sorrow and hardships of their daily toil. In essence, the celebratory aspects of Christmas that Dickens promotes are grounded in this empathetic generosity. Christmas should stimulate within people a concern for the wants and needs of others and a euphoric joy in fulfilling these desires.

The scene at Bob Cratchit’s unassuming little abode is pivotal to the development of the novella. Dickens uses the opportunity to put forth a poignant criticism of the unfeeling members of a disconnected upper class and to present a highly sentimentalized portrait of the lower classes. This picture is designed to address and undermine Victorian class prejudice and awaken Dickens’ readers to the harsh realities of poverty. In 1843, when A Christmas Carol was written, England had particularly stringent laws in governing the payment of debts and the condition of penury. These draconian rules forced many poor people into prisons and provisional workhouses. At the same time, many prominent politicians and theorists were attempting to justify these conditions with arguments designed to de-legitimize the rights of the underclass, a move that further hindered the ability of the poor to affect the governing of their own society.

Dickens was particularly disgusted with the writings of an economist named Thomas Robert Malthus, a wealthy man, who argued in his Essay on the Principle of Population (1798) that population growth would always outpace food supply resulting in unavoidable and catastrophic poverty and starvation. (His equations, long since debunked, postulate that population growth will occur according to a geometric sequence, while food supply will grow according to an arithmetic sequence.) In his pamphlet “The Crisis,” Malthus supported the Poor Laws and the workhouses, arguing that any man unable to sustain himself had no right to live, much less participate in the development of society. Dickens alludes to Malthus in Stave One, when Scrooge echoes the economist’s views on overpopulation in his rebuke of the portly gentlemen. The Cratchits are Dickens’ defense against this large-scale, purely economic, almost inhuman mode of thought–a reminder that England’s poor are all individuals, living beings with families and lives who could not and should not be swept behind a math equation like some numerical discrepancy.

Question 6

What happens in Stave 4?

Answer 6

Summary
The phantom, a menacing figure clad in a black hooded robe, approaches Scrooge. Scrooge involuntarily kneels before him and asks if he is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The phantom does not answer, and Scrooge squirms in terror. Still reeling from the revelatory experiences with the last two spirits, Scrooge pleads with the ghost to share his lesson, hopeful that he may avoid the fate of his deceased partner.

The ghost takes Scrooge to a series of strange places: the London Stock Exchange, where a group of businessmen discuss the death of a rich man; a dingy pawn shop in a London slum, where a group of vagabonds and shady characters sell some personal effects stolen from a dead man; the dinner table of a poor family, where a husband and wife express relief at the death of an unforgiving man to whom they owed money; and the Cratchit household, where the family struggles to cope with the death of Tiny Tim. Scrooge begs to know the identity of the dead man, exasperated in his attempts to understand the lesson of the silent ghost. Suddenly, he finds himself in a churchyard where the spirit points him toward a freshly dug grave. Scrooge approaches the grave and reads the inscription on the headstone: EBENEZER SCROOGE.

Appalled, Scrooge clutches at the spirit and begs him to undo the events of his nightmarish vision. He promises to honor Christmas from deep within his heart and to live by the moralizing lessons of Past, Present, and Future. The spirit’s hand begins to tremble, and, as Scrooge continues to cry out for mercy, the phantom’s robe shrinks and collapses. Scrooge, again, finds himself returned to the relative safety of his own bed.

Commentary
Within the allegory, the silent, reaper-like figure of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come represents the fear of death, which refracts Scrooge’s lessons about memory, empathy, and generosity, ensuring his reversion to an open, loving human being. In A Christmas Carol, the fear of death connotes the anticipation of moral reckoning and the inevitable dispensation of punishment and reward–literally the split between heaven and hell. In this way, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come briefly interjects a more somber, strictly Christian perspective into the secularized tale. This serves to remind Scrooge of Jacob Marley’s fate, the horrific consequences of greed and selfishness–a fate that will doom Scrooge, as well, unless he can change his ways.

Question 7

What happens in Stave 5?

Answer 7

Summary
Scrooge, grateful for a second chance at his life, sings the praises of the spirits and of Jacob Marley. Upon realizing he has been returned to Christmas morning, Scrooge begins shouting “Merry Christmas!” at the top of his lungs. Genuinely overjoyed and bubbling with excitement, Scrooge barely takes time to dress and dances while he shaves. In a blur, Scrooge runs into the street and offers to pay the first boy he meets a huge sum to deliver a great Christmas turkey to Bob Cratchit’s. He meets one of the portly gentlemen who earlier sought charity for the poor and apologizes for his previous rudeness, promising to donate huge sums of money to the poor. He attends Fred’s Christmas party and radiates such heartfelt bliss that the other guests can hardly manage to swallow their shock at his surprising behavior.

The following morning, Scrooge arrives at the office early and assumes a very stern expression when Bob Cratchit enters eighteen and a half minutes late. Scrooge, feigning disgust, begins to scold Bob, before suddenly announcing his plans to give Cratchit a large raise and assist his troubled family. Bob is stunned, but Scrooge promises to stay true to his word.

As time passes, Scrooge is as good as his word: He helps the Cratchits and becomes a second father to Tiny Tim who does not die as predicted in the ghost’s ominous vision. Many people in London are puzzled by Scrooge’s behavior, but Scrooge merely laughs off their suspicions and doubts. Scrooge brings a little of the Christmas spirit into every day, respecting the lessons of Christmas more than any man alive. The narrator concludes the story by saying that Scrooge’s words and thoughts should be shared by of all of us … “and so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, Every one!”

Commentary
This short closing Stave provides an optimistic and upbeat conclusion to the story, showing the new Ebenezer Scrooge starting off his new life with a comic display of happiness and Christmas cheer. It also rounds out the symmetrical structure of the novella, as Scrooge encounters, in sequence, the same people he treated with cruelty in Stave One. Only this time, the newly reborn Scrooge sheds his grumpy bah humbugs in favor of warm holiday greetings. He sends a turkey to the Cratchits and gives Bob a raise, atoning for his previous bitterness toward his clerk in Stave One. Scrooge also asks Bob to order more heating coals where previously, in Stave One, he forced Bob to suffer in the cold. He apologizes to the portly gentleman he meets on the street and pledges lavish contributions for his charity, where in Stave One he threw him out of his counting-house. Scrooge also happily attends Fred’s party, where, before the ghostly visits, he had told Fred that he would see him in hell before coming to the party.

The last comment holds a great deal of significance in Stave Five, as Scrooge has quite literally escaped hell by going to the party–or rather, by experiencing the moral conversion that compels him to look fondly on the holiday gathering. He is quite literally a saved man and the story of his redemption ends with a note of extraordinary optimism. The famous last words of the novel–“God bless us, Every one!”–conveys perfectly the fellow feeling and good cheer to which Scrooge awakens as his story unfolds and that A Christmas Carol so vehemently celebrates.

Question 8

Who are the main, secondary, minor in a Christmas carol?

Answer 8

A Christmas Carol - Characters overview The main character in the novella is Ebenezer Scrooge. At first we see his miserliness in contrast with his humble clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his cheerful nephew, Fred. The ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits.

The Ghost of Christmas Present, the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come all show Scrooge scenes that ultimately bring about his change of character.

He is particularly moved by Bob Cratchit’s family and his son, Tiny Tim, to whom he eventually becomes like a second father.

Main characters:

• Ebenezer Scrooge
• Bob Cratchit
• Scrooge’s nephew, Fred
• *Secondary characters:**
• The Ghost of Christmas Past
• The Ghost of Christmas Present
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Tiny Tim

Minor characters

• Jacob Marley
• Belle
• The charity collectors
• Fezziwig
• Fan

Question 9

How is Ebenezer presented as cold-hearted, miserly, ill-mannered, self-deluded?

Answer 9

Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol

• Miserable
• Tight-fisted
• Redeemed by the end

Scrooge is the main character of Dickens’s novella and is first presented as a miserly, unpleasant man. He rejects all offerings of Christmas cheer and celebration as ‘Humbug!’.

On Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns that he will be visited by three ghosts. Each of the ghosts shows him a scene that strikes fear and regret into his heart and eventually he softens.

By the end of the story, Scrooge is a changed man, sharing his wealth and generosity with everyone.

Social and historical context

A courtyard of a Victorian workhouse

In Victorian times, when Dickens was writing, poor children would often be sent to live in workhouses.

In 1861, 35,000 children under 12 lived and worked in workhouses in Britain. Living conditions there were unpleasant and the work was tough such as ‘picking out’ old ropes. Discipline was harsh and punishments included whipping. Food was basic and barely enough to sustain the children.

The ‘portly gentlemen’ who visit Scrooge ask for a Christmas donation to help the destitute orphans.

Question 10

Dickens life

Answer 10

Dickens’ Life Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in Kent and moved to London at the age of 9. When he was 12 years of age, his father was arrested and sent to a debtors’ prison. Dickens’ mother moved seven of their children into prison with their father but took Charles out of school and arranged for him to live alone outside the prison, working with other child labourers in a terrible job which involved pasting labels on bottles in a blacking (shoe polish) warehouse; he was poorly paid and the conditions were terrible.

After his father was released from prison, Dickens returned to school, becoming a law clerk and then a court reporter where he saw the harsh justice system first-hand. He used his own experiences of growing up in Kent and working as a court reporter in his stories. Dickens shocked audiences of his day with his novels, where ‘gentlemen’ (the ones with the wealth and education) are the least morally ‘good’ characters and a convict turns out to be the most like a gentleman. He campaigned for a fairer justice system, a reform of the workhouses, the rights of the poor (particularly children) to have access to education, effective sewers and reasonable housing; many of his novels deal with these topics.

With such colourful characters, riveting narratives and wonderfully descriptive language, Dickens became one of the most popular English novelists of his time, both in England and America. In 1870, he eventually collapsed from overwork and died.

Question 11

What is the social and Historical Context of a Christmas carol?

Answer 11

Dickens was born into a time of great change in the way people lived. The industrial revolution was taking place and there was a sudden growth of the cities – the economy shifted from agriculture to industry and trade. Money from industry made the rich, richer and the rich/poor gap widened. Workers had to toil for long hours and little money. Out of necessity, children of all ages (even as young as five years old!) didn’t go to school and worked long hours for a wage in 1840s’ Britain.

The housing was appalling for working class families who lived in squalor, deprivation, disease and misery. They barely had enough money to buy food and the child mortality was very high. In the poorer quarters of Britain’s larger cities almost 1 in 5 children born in the 1830s and 40s had died by the age of five. The main causes of death were polluted drinking water, damp and tuberculosis, which claimed between 60,000 and 70,000 lives in each decade of Victoria’s reign. There was no healthcare – if you got ill and couldn’t work, your whole family was at risk of death.

For those who were unable to support themselves, there were the workhouses: these were not intended as pleasant places to stay. Men, women and families were separated and those who were physically able were expected to work for their keep. Similar to the workhouses were debtors’ prisons (those who were unable to pay a debt), such as Marshalsea, where Charles Dickens’ father spent time.

The wealthy few on the other hand, lived in luxury with large houses, plenty of money, food and clothes. Their children didn’t work, were educated, had expensive toys and often went on holiday. Being seen to be civilised and adhering to a strict set of morals was important to high society in the Victorian age. However, this was often criticised as being hypocritical for some of the reasons mentioned above. Controversially there was a call for a Sunday Observance Bill (by the MP, Andrew Agnew) which would ban any business or recreations taking place on a Sunday. Those who supported it believed that it would ensure that Sunday remained a spiritual day. Those who opposed it (Dickens was one of those – he wrote a scathing essay about Andrew Agnew) saw it as an attack on the poor who used Sundays to do what they liked. So, why do you think that Scrooge’s character attacks this idea when speaking to the Ghost of Christmas Present?

Question 12

Themes

Answer 12

The supernatural: this was a part of the Christmas story-telling tradition that started in the 17th century. By the 19th century, there was an interest in spiritualism; people believed spirits who resided in the afterlife wanted to communicate with the living. Scrooge has 4 spirits who wish to communicate with him!

Generosity and compassion: this is the essence of the Christmas spirit. It’s a time when families and friends come together in the home to share food and exchange gifts but it’s also a time when we’re supposed to think of those who are less fortunate than us. Scrooge’s nephew and his clerk show compassion towards Scrooge which is in stark contrast to those who coldly dismiss Scrooge (fellow business people, his servants, the pawn shop owner) as he does them. Is there a message here, perhaps? A lack of compassion leads to a lack of compassion?

Redemption: This means seeing the error of your ways and being saved from sin or evil. Scrooge is transformed from a mean, greedy and lonely old miser, who was blind to his sin, into a generous, goodnatured, beloved character…and just in time! The moral message of the novella is that all human beings have the opportunity / can make the choice to behave in kinder ways towards each other and be saved from damnation (don’t forget the religious aspect!).

Social injustice: Just like An Inspector Calls, Dickens’ story is an attack on a society where there is an unequal distribution of wealth: the rich, who enjoy comfort and feasting at Christmas, ignore the dreadful living conditions of the poor; in fact, they effectively punish the poor for their poverty through such things as the “Treadmill” and the “Workhouses”. The thieves show how people were driven to steal from the dead. The Ghost of Christmas Present presents the children (Ignorance and Want) and states that “They are Man’s” responsibility.

Question 13

Why does Scrooge change?

Answer 13

So…why does Scrooge change?

1. He is upset at the thought that Tiny Tim might die.
2. The Ghost of Christmas Present uses his own cruel words against him.
3. He sees what he is missing in the family scenes of celebration.

Question 14

Summarise the Character of Scrooge?

Answer 14

Character Summary Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist (main character) of ‘A Christmas Carol’. He is a banker or ‘moneylender’ of sorts who owned his own ‘counting house’ alongside his late business partner Jacob Marley.

In the opening of the novella, Scrooge is presented as a miserly and misanthropic (someone who dislikes other people) businessman with a strong aversion to Christmas and the society around him in general.

Dickens follows his journey of redemption as his character evolves into a “good” man who “knew how to keep Christmas well”. This is an impressive character development which becomes a defining feature of both the novella and Scrooge’s character. It could be argued that this serves two main purposes: firstly to highlight to the reader that anyone is capable of change and that they should actively try to alter any of their weaknesses, and secondly that Christmas is a time of compassion and charity so should be celebrated as such. Dickens achieves these goals by presenting Scrooge as an idealised man in the final stave, subtly informing readers on what he believed to be the model way of celebrating Christmas.

This is a suggestion which evidently worked, as Dickens is often credited with playing a major role in shaping Christmas celebrations due to his altruistic (selfless concern for others) and emotional approach, emphasised through the character of Scrooge.

Question 15

How does the Character of Scrooge develop?

Answer 15

Character Development

The defining aspect of Scrooge’s character is his remarkable transformation, as he evolves from miserly businessman into a man as good as “the good old city knew”. Therefore, it can certainly be argued that he is used by Dickens to symbolise a greater message which transcends (goes beyond) his own character. It could be argued that he shows this change in order to inform the reader on how they too should change themselves to align with true Christmas values.

Dickens achieves this message by initially portraying Scrooge as unchanging. By emphasising his stagnant nature in the opening of the novella, Dickens heightens the impact of his eventual change which suggests to the reader that change is possible for anyone. His development is gradual rather than sudden, perhaps to increase the tension for the reader as the novel progresses. Alternatively, this may be to draw attention to each of the ways that Scrooge changes. A summary of his development is outlined on the next page.

Stave One: In the opening Stave the narrator is unsympathetic in his dealings with Scrooge, presenting him as wholly unlikeable through the use of an extended metaphor (a metaphor which is repeated) where Scrooge is likened to the weather.

• Dickens writes that “a frosty rime was on his head” and that it was the “cold within him” rather than external temperatures which “froze his old features”. This presents him as a cold, hostile and unappealing character.
• This description in some ways presents him as an archetypal villain (the classic and conventional portrayal of a villian).
• *Stave Two:** The Ghost of Christmas Past teaches Scrooge the value of reflection and causes the reader to sympathise with him, as we see the emergence of regret and a desire to change.
• For example, Scrooge reveals that there “was a boy singing a Christmas Carol” at his door and he regrets not giving him anything, highlighting the first stage of his repentance and therefore development.
• This furthered when he tells the Spirit that he wishes “to say a word or two” to Bob Cratchit, highlighting that he actively wants to make a change which establishes the start of his reformation.
• *Stave Three:** The Ghost of Christmas Present builds on the concept of change. He does this through showing Scrooge the Cratchit family on Christmas day.
• Here, the reader sees Scrooge develop empathy and display compassion towards Tiny Tim, an interest “he had never felt before”. This signposts the extent to which he has changed, as even he himself can recognise the change within.

Stave Four: The final Spirit teaches Scrooge that his actions have consequences, causing him to put his material obsessions into perspective as he realises that his wealth will not keep him company in the event of his death.

• The stave ends with Scrooge repenting profusely, promising that he will remember “the lessons” that the Spirits had taught him and change for the better.

Stave Five: The narrator reveals that Scrooge was “better than his word”, highlighting to the reader that his character has indeed transformed. Dickens emphasises this by drawing direct contrasts between Scrooge’s behaviour in the final and opening staves.

• He shows how Scrooge donated money to one of the “portly gentlemen” despite his refusal in the first stave.
• Furthermore, in the opening stave Bob was sure that if he tried to “replenish” the coal Scrooge would have fired him, but in the final stave Scrooge instructs Bob to “make up the fires”, again making his transformation clear.

Question 16

How is the theme of Time, Poverty. redemption and Christmas Spirit represented through scrooge?

Answer 16

Time
The importance and significance of time is highlighted to Scrooge through his interactions with the Spirits, they teach him valuable lessons surrounding this concept in order to better himself.

➔ The Ghost of Christmas Past teaches Scrooge the value of reflecting on the past to become a better person. When Scrooge reflects on his time spent with Fezziwig he realises that he has been treating Bob Cratchit unfairly. He reveals to the Spirit that he wishes he could “say a word or two to his clerk right now”.

➔ In a similar fashion, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come highlights to Scrooge that the way you conduct yourself in the present will have consequences later on in time. This is exemplified by Scrooge’s charwoman, who steals things from him after his death. She justifies her actions by saying that if Scrooge “wanted to keep” his things he should have been more “natural in his lifetime”.

**Poverty** 
Dickens believed that society needed to come together in order to help stop the spread of poverty and so included this idea within the novella. He highlights this viewpoint by using a disapproving tone when describing Scrooge’s views on the poor in the opening stave. This is seen when Scrooge makes no distinction between the lower class and criminals - asking the charity collectors if there are any “prisons” they can send the poor to. Dickens later mocks this statement when Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if there is any “refuge” for the children clutching at his robe, to which the Spirit echoes “are there no prisons?” evidently parodying his views.

Redemption

The novella closely follows Scrooge’s journey of redemption, a transformation which is made more impactful by Dickens’ description of Scrooge’s character in order to foreground this theme. Initially, Dickens presents Scrooge as a man who cannot change, alluding to his stubborn nature by clarifying that “No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him”. However, as the novel progresses we see Scrooge learn a number of lessons and evolve as a character, eventually repenting for his behaviour.

This is significant because Scrooge’s redemption does not stop at simple repentance as he goes on and actively tries to recompense for his actions. For example, while he was rude to the charity collectors in the opening of the novella, in the final stave he whispers to the gentleman the amount he would like to donate, shocking the man and allowing for a complete redemption.

Christmas Spirit

Dickens uses Scrooge’s character to highlight the ideal way of celebrating Christmas by introducing an emotional element to the celebration. He promotes the idea that Christmas is a time for charity and compassion through Scrooge’s behaviour in the final stave. He ensures that this is seen as the ideal www.pmt.education by asserting that “it was always said” that Scrooge “knew how to keep Christmas well”.

Question 17

How is the Theme of family, Materialism, regret & Isolation represented through scrooge?

Answer 17

Family
The importance of family is highlighted through the crucial role it plays in allowing for Scrooge’s all important redemption. This is evident when he is with the Ghost of Christmas Present who shows him how Fred and his family celebrate Christmas. Scrooge realises that if he had spent time with his family he might have “cultivated the kindness of life”, highlighting the crucial role that a person’s family can play on their character.

Materialism

Dickens highlights how Scrooge’s materialism costs him significantly more than it benefits him - a theme first introduced by Jacob Marley in the opening stave when he refers to Scrooge as a “man of worldly mind”. This is shown to the reader when Scrooge visits his old fiancée Belle who tells him that she is leaving him because he has replaced her with a “golden […] idol”. She continues by saying he has become a man who “fears the world too much”, conveying the severe cost of Scrooge’s materialism.

This is later identified by Fred, who notes that Scrooge’s wealth is “of no use to him” as “he doesn’t do any good with it” showing the reader that his obsession with the material world is essentially useless if he doesn’t use his wealth properly.

Regret

Scrooge’s regret is instrumental in allowing for his redemption. This emotion not only makes Scrooge seem human but also endears the reader towards him. This is poignantly highlighted when Scrooge wistfully wonders what it would feel like to have children who “might have called him father”, causing his sight to grow “very dim indeed”. This implies that he has been brought to tears, showing the reader his regret while simultaneously causing them to sympathise with him. Ultimately this increases the readers involvement with his character, causing them to anticipate the end of the novella.

It is essential to Dickens’ message for the reader to like his character. If he lacked regret his reformation would not seem genuine and wouldn’t be convincing to the reader. This would weaken Dickens’ moral message

Isolation

Scrooge’s isolation from society is highlighted through Dickens’ lengthy descriptions of his relationship with those around him (see ‘Relationships: other members of society’ below). By ostracising (excluding) himself from society he can exist in a state of ignorance which allows him to be totally unaware of the state of the poor and other vulnerable members of society. He is both unaware and unbothered of Tiny Tim’s plight and only begins to care once Tiny Tim’s death is foretold by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. www.pmt.education Once Scrooge’s isolation decreases and he interacts with other characters he becomes more aware of the problems of others and transforms as a character. After his reformation Scrooge plays an active part in Tiny Tim’s life becoming a “second father” to him and preventing his death. It could be argued that this reflects the importance of engaging with wider society as it benefits all those who take part. Not only is Tiny Tim’s life preserved but Scrooge becomes happier and more content as a person. Here Dickens alludes to a sense of social responsibility, which he had a strong affinity to.

Question 18

What are scrooges relationship like?

Answer 18

Marley: Dickens draws parallels between the two characters, likening them to such an extent that Scrooge “answered to both names”. He pays close attention to Marley’s isolation from society (which reflects similarly onto Scrooge) and shows that Scrooge was central to his life. He repeats that Scrooge was his “sole” executor, administrator, assign, residuary legatee, friend and mourner, and even he was not “so dreadfully cut up by the sad event”. Both characters are portrayed as unappealing by Dickens.

• This arguably causes the reader to feel an initial dislike towards Scrooge, as his lack of emotion towards the death of someone so central to his life characterises him as hard and unfeeling.
• In this way, his relationship with Marley helps the reader to gain a better understanding of his character, as they realise his isolation and apathetic nature.

Other members of society

Again, Dickens characterises Scrooge through his relationships with those around him. He reveals that “nobody ever stopped him in the street” to say hello and that “even the blindmen’s dogs appeared to know him”, avoiding him whenever they could. This highlights the extent of the community’s dislike towards Scrooge.

• The reader’s own aversion towards his character is built on and furthered, as their negative opinion of Scrooge is supported by those around him. Therefore, the reader likely feels as though they are making a fair and correct judgement of his character.

Bob Cratchit

Bob Cratchit: It could be argued that Bob Cratchit has two main roles with regards to Scrooge: firstly to explain why Scrooge is hated by those around him and secondly to spotlight Scrooge’s changed nature to the reader.

• In the opening of the novella Dickens describes “dismal” cell that Bob was made to work in, revealing that despite the cold conditions and small fire he could not “replenish” the coal for fear of being fired. This not only exemplifies the cruel working conditions that many lower-class workers faced in Victorian society but also acts as an example of Scrooge’s inhumanity, epitomising his cruelty.
• Towards the end of the novel, Scrooge’s newfound attitude is highlighted when he instructs Bob to “make up the fires” and buy “another coal scuttle” starkly www.pmt.education contrasting his earlier behaviour and so highlighting Scrooge’s changed nature to the reader.

Family

By choosing to include the character of Fanny during Scrooge’s time with the Ghost of Christmas Past, Dickens allows the reader to sympathise with Scrooge and so form an important attachment with the protagonist. This causes them to remain interested in the narrative.

• Fan is used as a catalyst for Scrooge’s reformation. When the Spirit reminds Scrooge that although she has passed away, she left behind a child, he begins to feel “uneasy”, highlighting to the reader that he is beginning to reflect on his actions.

Tiny Tim
Bob Cratchit’s son, Tiny Tim, is introduced to the novella when Scrooge is with the Ghost of Christmas Present. His character is used to highlight Scrooge’s developing empathy and so signpost the changes in his character.

• This is most apparent when the Spirit uses his own words against him - Scrooge asks about Tiny Tim’s future but the Ghost simply replies that if he was going to die he had “better do it” and “decrease the surplus population”. This prompts Scrooge to hang “his head” which shows his regret highlighting his regret, and so as an extension of this, the transformation of his character.

Question 19

What is Scrooge like in comparison to Fred or Fezziwig?

Answer 19

Comparison to Other Characters It could be argued that both Fezziwig and Fred act as foils to Scrooge. Dickens uses these characters as a contrast to Scrooge’s negative characteristics in order to highlight the drastic transformation he goes through within the text..

Fred
Dickens carefully constructs a cold and hostile atmosphere in the opening of the novella through the semantic field (a group of words with a similar meaning or theme) of cold weather and the description of Bob Cratchit’s misery.

• This undertone is immediately contrasted with the introduction of Fred who wished his uncle a “merry Christmas” with a “cheerful voice”. This makes Scrooge’s misery appear increasingly bleak.
• Fred repeatedly responds to Scrooge’s bitter comments with optimism, teasing Scrooge by saying that he has no reason to be “morose” as he is “rich enough”. He then goes on to to directly contrast Scrooge’s miserly attitude saying that there are many things that he has benefited from even if he hasn’t “profited from them”, Christmas being one of them. By including a character with such optimism and appeal, Dickens furthers the effect of Scrooge’s pessimism, making him appear even worse.

Fezziwig

As an employer, Fezziwig directly contrasts Scrooge, seen most notably through his attitude and behaviour on Christmas Eve.

• While Fezziwig tells his apprentices that there will be “no more work to-night” as it is “Christmas Eve” Scrooge complains to Bob claiming that he is “ill-used” for having to pay “a day’s wages for no work”. This contrast highlights just how cruel Scrooge was as an employer, causing him to come to this realisation and change the way he acted with Bob.

In some ways it could be argued that including Fezziwig as a foil to Scrooge plays a role in his transformation as it catalyses feelings of regret and a desire to change.

Question 20

What are key Scrooge quotes?

Answer 20

Key Quotes

● “A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!”. Dickens uses asyndetic listing (a list broken up by commas rather than conjunctions like ‘and’) in his description of Scrooge, perhaps to show the extent of his greed. The relentless verbs refer to him being miserly and selfish. In this way he is immediately and undeniably characterised as an unlikeable character. This makes it difficult for the reader to empathise with him while also drawing attention to the unsympathetic narration.

● “Solitary as an oyster”. This simile is interesting as although Dickens describes Scrooge as “solitary”, highlighting his isolation and so presenting him as hostile. The choice of an oyster is significant as despite an oyster being dark and hard on the outside they can contain something beautiful and valued on the inside; Pearls. Here, Dickens is suggesting to the reader that there is something worth saving within Scrooge, implying that as the novel progresses the Spirits will destroy his hard exterior to reveal the ‘pearl’ within.

● “I’m quite a baby.” This is interesting as it contrast Dickens’ earlier description of Scrooge as a “covetous old sinner”. He instead presents Scrooge as innocent through the connotations associated with a baby, highlighting the extent of his change. It is also interesting to note that by ending the novel with reference to Scrooge being a baby Dickens alludes to the cycle of rebirth and, as an extension, his transformation.

Question 21

How does Dickens use simile and and repetition to describe scrooge?

Answer 21

Dickens uses the character of Ebeneezer Scrooge to criticise the divide between those who
have money, and those who do not.
We follow the change in the character, and we learn as a reader that we can change too.
Dickens’s use of repetition positions Scrooge as a lonely character at the start of the
novella when he summarises his role in relation to Marley: ‘Scrooge was the sole executor,
his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and
sole mourner’.
The repetition of the adjective ‘sole’ emphasises the solitary nature of the lives ed by both men.

Dickens also uses the simile ‘Hard and sharp as flint’ to describe Scrooge.
The adjective ‘Hard’ suggests that he lacks warmth, empathy and compassion while
the adjective ‘sharp’ suggests pain, implying that Scrooge has no mercy towards others.
The comparison with ‘flint’ is interesting, however.
Flint is used to create fire. Dickens might be implying that there is the potential for a spark of warmth within Scrooge, who might yet change.

Scrooge is described with the simile as ‘solitary as an oyster’. At first glance, we have the impression that Scrooge, like an oyster, has a tough, hard
exterior and is closed to others.
The simile is effective because it emphasises how he has chosen to isolate himself.
It also suggests that there may be more to be discovered where Scrooge is concerned.
Just as, when forced open, an oyster may contain a pearl, so Dickens suggests there may be something worthwhile to be found within Scrooge. This imagery foreshadows the future positive change in Scrooge’s character.
Yet Dickens also uses humour in relation to Scrooge’s character.

For example, Scrooge tells Marley’s ghost: ‘You may be an undigested bit of beef, a
blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato.
There’s more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!’.
Dickens deliberately uses word play with the pun on ‘grave’ and ‘gravy’ to make
Scrooge’s character less two-dimensional. This makes the reader more likely to engage with Scrooge and celebrate his transformation
at the end of the novella- if we just think he’s an out and out idiot, we won’t realise
that the message he learns in the novella is also relevant for us as readers.

The reader begins to feel empathy for Scrooge when he returns to an almost childlike state
in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
When visiting Scrooge’s old school, the Ghost describes Scrooge as a ‘solitary child,
neglected by his friends’. When visiting Scrooge’s old school, the Ghost describes Scrooge as a ‘solitary child, neglected by his friends’.
The adjective ‘solitary’ reminds us of the ‘solitary as an oyster’, simile except that the child Scrooge was literally alone, and this was not his choice.
The juxtaposition of ‘neglected’ with ‘friends’ develops the reader’s empathy
towards Scrooge at this point in the novella.
When Scrooge ‘sobbed’ in response to the Ghost noting the young Scrooge’s neglect,
the reader understands that empathy and compassion have the power to elicit an emotional response from Scrooge. This signifies the start of his transformation. It is apparent that Scrooge is starting to realise that relationships, not money, bring happiness. By encouraging the reader to feel sorry for Scrooge, Dickens is inviting us to develop
an interest in his transformation and to celebrate with him at the end of the novella.

When the Ghost of Christmas Present appears, Dickens reminds us that Scrooge’s attitude
is changing: ‘I went forth last night on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.’ He is prepared for the lessons that await him. Interestingly, we still have imagery to do with money. The verb ‘profit’ links to financial transactions, so we are reminded that his transformation is ongoing – he is not yet completely transformed.

Dickens signals an important moment in Scrooge’s character arc when he shows empathy towards Tiny Tim. The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to the Cratchit household, and Scrooge implores the Ghost to tell him of the boy’s future: ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live’.
Dickens’s use of the imperative signifies that Scrooge genuinely seems to care about
the little boy’s fate. This contrasts with his earlier comments about the poor and, how if they die, this will ‘decrease the surplus population’.
His attitude is certainly changing, and we now see his hard, rational attitude to the
poor and needy being replaced with a genuine interest in their welfare. The climax of the novella is when Scrooge reads his own name on a gravestone and realises that he is the person whom everyone had been talking.

Dickens employs statements (declarative sentences) when Scrooge vows to ‘honour Christmas in
my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.
The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.
I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.’
Dickens’s use of statements emphasises the significance of this moment and adds a tone
of solemnity.
In the final section of the novella, Dickens employs more similes to describe the change
in Scrooge: ‘I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as
a school-boy’.
These heighten the contrast with the ‘oyster’ and ‘flint’ similes from earlier in the
text.
The simile ‘as light as a feather’ leads the reader to infer that he has cast off the
chains of his earlier way of life (chains that are currently weighing Marley down).
Feathers also connote freedom and flight, implying that he is closer to Heaven than
he was previously.
This links to the ‘angel’ simile, contrasting with the early description of Scrooge as a
‘sinner’.
Angels connote goodness, signifying that Scrooge has become a better person.
We see that Scrooge is indeed a changed man; his spiritual journey is complete and we,
the readers, are left with the understanding that people can change.
Society is a better place if we all look out for one another.
Well I hope you found this video useful.
Everything I go through in this video series can be found in the second edition of Mr Bruff’s
Guide to A Christmas Carol.
The links are in the description - you can pick up a copy.
Please do subscribe, and like the video.

Question 22

How is Bob Cratchit Presented as obedient, generous, sensitive & fearful.

Answer 22

Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol

• Humble
• Hardworking
• Family man

Bob Cratchit is Scrooge’s clerk and works in unpleasant conditions without complaint. He obeys Scrooge’s rules and is timid about asking to go home to his family early on Christmas Eve.

When the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to visit the Cratchits on Christmas Day, he sees Bob Cratchit carrying his sickly son Tiny Tim, and later raising a toast to Scrooge for providing the feast.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows the Cratchits in a future where Tiny Tim has died and here we see how sensitive Bob Cratchit is. His love for his son is shown through his grief.

In the end, when Scrooge changes his ways for the better, Bob Cratchit is delighted. He welcomes Scrooge’s new-found generosity and friendship.

Social and historical context

Working life for a Victorian clerk was generally repetitive and dull. They typically spent whole days in the counting-houses working out calculations for the benefits of other men. Dickens features more than 104 clerks in his collected works. Most of his clerks are presented as downtrodden characters, almost always wearing black.

Question 23

Summarise Bob Cratchit

Answer 23

Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s Clerk, is introduced to the novella as a timid and nervous man. He remains unnamed for the first stave and is instead referred to as “the Clerk”. Perhaps Dickens only identifies Bob according to his occupation to highlight how the lower-class didn’t have an individual identity and were instead only recognised for their service. This illustrates the way in which the working class were defined by their positions in the workforce, which is where their value came from. In this way, it could be argued that Bob Cratchit’s role in the novella is to represent the plight of the poor, as he is an immediate source of sympathy in the novella.

However, when the Ghost of Christmas Present visits the Cratchit household with Scrooge the reader is exposed to a different side of Bob. Dickens depicts him as a loving father and husband, which could be interpreted as an idealisation of the lower class. Despite his poor wages and cruel employer, Bob Cratchit remains grateful and compassionate, celebrating Christmas in a way that the significantly richer Scrooge never could.

Dickens may have also wanted to depict Bob Cratchit more holistically to present the lower class in a different light. Usually in Victorian literature, the working class were depicted as peripheral, unimportant characters. In the works of Dickens he defies these expectations. presenting the lower class in a positive light and as multi-faceted characters. This is evident through the character of Bob Cratchit.

Question 24

Context and Themes that Bob Cratchit represent

Answer 24

• Context
  During the Victorian era the word ‘bob’ was often used as a slang word for ‘shilling’. Therefore, it could certainly be argued that there is greater meaning behind Dickens’ choice for Bob Cratchit’s name. This is highlighted when he draws attention to it by the pun “Bob had but fifteen ‘Bob’ a-week himself”. Perhaps this is to serve as a constant reminder of how little Bob earns, or may be to represent the importance and power of money over the lower classes - so much so that it can alter life and death. This is seen in the case of Tiny Tim who, without Scrooge’s help, would have died.

**Poverty** 
The plight of the lower class is highlighted through Bob’s character. Dickens highlights Bob’s maltreatment in the workplace by contrasting his fear towards and dependence on Scrooge. He explores this theme in a sympathetic way towards the poor, challenging many of the prejudices and misconceptions that contemporary readers (readers at the time of publication) may have had. 

• Instead of presenting the Cratchit’s as ungrateful and lazy, he repeatedly references their contentment (“nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family”) and the fact that both Bob and Martha are working. He builds on this by revealing that Bob has a “situation (job) in his eye for Master Peter” too, which ultimately characterises the family as hardworking.
• Dickens does this to challenge the misconceptions of his Victorian readers as many would have believed that people lived in poverty because they were lazy.

Religon

Dickens explores the idea of religion through Bob. After returning from church with Tiny Tim he “trembled” as he told the family that Tiny Tim had told him that he hoped when people saw him they would remember Jesus, the man who “made lame beggars walk”. The verb “trembled” highlights his deep emotional connection with religion.

Furthermore, when his wife expressed her distaste for Scrooge during Bob’s toast, he reminds her that it is “Christmas Day” highlighting the respect and honour he gives the celebration. Here, Dickens presents Bob as a morally righteous man, as readers are likely to associate religion with a strong moral standing.

Family

Dickens highlights the theme of family through the characterisation of Bob by spotlighting the extent to which he values his family, presenting them as an essential part of his Christmas celebration. The family are described as united as Dickens details how they all joined in with the preparation of dinner - “Mrs Cratchit made the gravy… Master Peter mashed the potatoes… Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce…”. This unity is significant as Dickens had a greater agenda when writing the novella. He intended for it to teach and reform the way Christmas was celebrated.

Bob is presented as the ideal family figure who valued, loved and respected his family. He appreciates their efforts (calling the meal “the greatest success achieved by Mrs Cratchit since their marriage”) and worries when one of them is missing. In this way, Dickens introduces the idea that family should be an essential focus of the festive time.

Question 25

How does Bob Cratchit develop?

Answer 25

Character Development

Bob begins the novella as an unnamed, poorly paid and maltreated Clerk, but, as Scrooge undergoes his own personal character development, (see ‘Character Profile: Ebeneezer Scrooge’) Bob too undergoes a change.

It should be noted that as Scrooge gets a deeper understanding of the lower classes so does the reader. Therefore, the supernatural experience is not just an educational experience for Scrooge but also for the reader. They are able to view Bob in the intimate setting of his family home, exposing them to the loving and compassionate side of his personality which wasn’t explored in the opening stave. With regards to finance, Bob ends the novella significantly more well off than at the start, as Scrooge announces he will “raise” his “salary” and “discuss” his “affairs” over lunch. It is interesting to note, however, that Bob’s character development is dependant on Scrooge. This is perhaps to symbolise the power and superiority of the upper class over the poorer members of society.

In addition to this, he does not develop in the drastic way that Scrooge does. Instead, he remains a compassionate and righteous character throughout the novella. This is significant as it contributes to the idea that Dickens carefully constructs Bob’s character to act as an idealised representation of the lower class, and so limits his faults.

Question 26

What are Bob Cratchit’s relationship’s like?

Answer 26

Scrooge: In the opening stave of the novella Scrooge is cruel and merciless towards Bob. He makes him work in a “dismal little cell” and complains that he is “ill-used” for paying “a day’s wages for no work,’’ using an accusatory and aggressive tone towards the helpless clerk. It is interesting to note that the narrator is not sympathetic towards Scrooge but is sympathetic with regards to Bob, causing the reader to side with his character. This consequently characterises Scrooge as the villain. Following Scrooge’s transformation, Bob displays compassion as he forgives Scrooge for mistreating him, once again idealising his character.

Mrs Cratchit: The relationship between Bob and Mrs Cratchit again furthers the idealisation of his character as they cultivate love and happiness between them. This is emphasised when he remarks that she is a “good wife”.

• However, when Bob proposes a toast to Scrooge, the supposed “Founder of the Feast”, Mrs Cratchit does not approve. While this seems justified and so does not reflect badly on Mrs Cratchit, Bob replies in a “mild” way. He simply reminds his wife of “the children” and that it is “Christmas Day” elevating his position. This is because his behaviour presents him as remarkably patient and so heightens the righteousness of his character.

Tiny Tim: Bob’s youngest child, Tiny Tim, is described as a “cripple”. He is arguably used by Dickens to showcase the loving aspect of Bob’s character and causes the reader to sympathise with him more as we understand the intricate difficulties of his life.

• This is seen most notably following Tiny Tim’s death in Stave Four, where we witness Bob trying to remain peaceful despite his grief. He reminds his family not to “quarrel easily” amongst each other in order to honour Tiny Tim’s memory.
• In addition to building sympathy towards Bob, Tiny Tim’s character is also used to foreground Bob’s virtue. Dickens details how Bob returned from church with “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder’’ . This adds religious weight to his goodness, presenting his character as morally righteous, which is solidified by the pastoral image of him holding his child.

Remaining Cratchit children: Similar to his relationship with his wife, Bob maintains a loving and endearing relationship with his children which Dickens refers to throughout the text. For example, he seems distraught when the children pretend that Martha cannot make it for Christmas Day, repeating “not coming!” with a sudden “declension in his high spirits”. This highlights the extent to which Bob values his family which is a quality Dickens presents as ideal, perhaps as a lesson to the reader so they too aspire to be like the Cratchit family

Question 27

Key Quotes relating to Bob Cratchit

Answer 27

• “He tried to warm himself at the candle” This is interesting as it conveys a lot to the reader about Bob’s characterisation and the cruel treatment he faces at work. By using the pitiful verb “tried”, Dickens creates a sense of helplessness. This causes us to sympathise with Bob and acknowledge his powerlessness before Scrooge. Furthermore, the anticlimactic “candle” highlights the poor provisions in place for Bob at the workplace, as he has nothing but a lone candle to warm himself. Dickens follows this line with the blunt and matter-of-fact: “he failed”. This illustrates the nonchalant attitude that many of the rich held towards the appalling working conditions of the lower class.
• “I’ll give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!” By including this toast to Scrooge despite the terrible way he treats Bob, Dickens exemplifies Bob’s patience and compassion, as he is grateful and good-natured towards his employer regardless of the way he is treated. It is also interesting to note that Bob refers to Scrooge with a title (“the Founder of the Feast”) elevating his position and attributing importance to him, even though he does not necessarily deserve it. It could be argued that Dickens does this to once again highlight the superiority of the rich over the lower-class, as even in his apparent absence Bob gives Scrooge a sense of respect and honour.
• “Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said, and calmly too, that he regarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage… Everybody had something to say about it, but nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family. It would have been flat heresy to do so” This exclamatory remark highlights Bob’s appreciation towards his family and embodies the gratefulness of the Cratchits - despite the size of the pudding nobody even “thought” it was “small”. Once again, this presents Bob and the Cratchits as an idealised representation of the lower class. The pudding is an important image as it represents the hard work and unity of the family, although small, it is still well received.

Question 28

What does Mr and Mrs Cratchit represented through dialogue?

Answer 28

Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, represents the exploited, underpaid, yet hard-working
employee.
Despite Scrooge’s miserly ways, Bob toasts him, declaring him ‘the Founder of the Feast’.
With this action, Dickens draws the attention of the reader to Bob’s Christian generosity
of human spirit in the face of financial hardship and ill treatment.
This is heightened by Mrs Cratchit’s contrasting attitude to Scrooge: ‘I wish I had him here.
I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he’d have a good appetite for it.’
Her righteous indignation is only calmed by her husband reminding her that it is Christmas.

Through dialogue, Dickens sets expectations about forgiveness and goodwill to others at
this time of year.
Dickens depicts Bob as a dedicated employee, even though Scrooge treats him badly.

At the start of the novella, we see how he is unable to keep himself warm at work.
Bob wears a ‘comforter’ (scarf) and tries ‘to warm himself at the candle’.
We also learn that ‘Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk’s fire was so very much
smaller that it looked like one coal.
But he couldn’t replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room’. By showing us what Bob is wearing, what Bob is doing and explaining why he is so cold,
Dickens invites the reader to feel empathy for Bob and to criticise Scrooge, who clearly
has no concern for Bob’s comfort or welfare.
Despite being a downtrodden employee, Bob has resilience. Leaving Scrooge’s office at the end of the day, he ‘ran home to Camden Town as hard as he could pelt, to play at blindman’s-buff’.
He finds comfort and joy in his family and is excited about Christmas.

Dickens introduces Mrs Cratchit by drawing attention to her poverty: she is ‘dressed
out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons, which are cheap and make
a goodly show for sixpence’.
Despite wearing a dress so old that it has been taken apart, turned inside out and resewn
twice, she still makes an effort with her appearance. Her effort to mark Christmas day with ‘ribbons’ contrasts with Scrooge’s cold, bare rooms and lack of decoration. Her role is defined by others as Bob’s ‘good wife’. Bob reports after the future Tiny Tim’s death that Fred has expressed his condolences:

‘I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,’ he said, ‘and heartily sorry for your good wife.’
By the bye, how he ever knew that, I don’t know.”
“Knew what, my dear?”
“Why, that you were a good wife,” replied Bob.
“Everybody knows that!” said Peter.
“Very well observed, my boy!” cried Bob.
“I hope they do.
‘Heartily sorry,’ he said, ‘for your good wife.
This conversation conforms to contemporary attitudes of the time towards married women,
who were judged by their role in relation to a husband. An obedient wife was praised. Dickens might be drawing attention to this point because of his experiences with his mother who, seeing the value of an extra income, was very reluctant for him to leave his job at Warren’s Blacking Warehouse after his father had been released from debtors’ prison. Dickens later wrote: ‘I never afterwards forgot, I never shall forget, I never can forget, that my mother was warm [lukewarm] for my being sent back [home]’. These feelings of being betrayed by his mother contribute towards his beliefs that a husband should be the decision maker, and his wife should be obedient and submissive.

Nevertheless, Mrs Cratchit does have an opinion about Scrooge, which she freely expresses
at the Christmas dinner: ‘I wish I had him here.
I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he’d have a good appetite for it’.
At the time, it was commonly believed that women were ruled by their emotions and not
capable of ‘rational’ thought.
When Dickens describes Mrs Cratchit’s emotional outburst, this therefore conforms to contemporary
ideas about women.
We have already discussed how her comment contrasts with Bob’s, emphasising Bob’s Christian generosity of human spirit in the face of financial hardship and ill treatment.
Dickens also positions Mrs Cratchit with her righteous indignation as a loyal wife.
It is understandable that she dislikes Scrooge because she sees how hard her husband works
for him, yet he is not rewarded for his effort.
In order to appreciate her character more fully, we need to look at Bob’s response
to her criticism of Scrooge: “My dear,” was Bob’s mild answer, “Christmas
Day.” She only backs down when her husband—head of the household, moral leader, capable of
logic—reminds her of the religious significance of the day.
Her wedding vows would have been to ‘love, honour and obey’ her husband.
Reluctantly, she obeys her husband, as every (in Dickens’s opinion) ‘good wife’ should.

Let’s consider the historical context here: In 1843, married women had no legal rights:
• A woman was first the legal possession of her father and then that of her husband
(this is the origin of the tradition of a bride being given away by her father at a
church wedding).
• When a woman married, everything she owned belonged to her husband.
* If she earnt any money, she was not allowed to keep it—she had to pass it to her husband.
Being the mother of six children would have made it difficult for Mrs Cratchit to work
outside the home—if her husband had allowed her.
Financially, she is totally dependent upon her husband.
This shows how important it is for Bob Cratchit to keep his job.

Question 29

Who is Martha and Peter Cratchit?

Answer 29

Character Summary

Martha is Bob Cratchit’s eldest child. She first appears in the novella when she arrives home late on Christmas Day as she had a great deal of “work to finish up” the night before and had to “clear away” in the morning. This instantly characterises her as hard-working which challenges Scrooge’s misconception that the poor in society are “idle”. Furthermore, some readers may feel sympathy for her character, particularly after she reveals that she needs a “good long rest”. This advances the idea that the novella aims to educate readers about the plight of the poor and so instigate social change.

Dickens explores her character further when he describes how she hid when Bob Cratchit came home but ran out early as she “didn’t like to see him disappointed”. This presents her as playful yet compassionate. Therefore, while she plays only a minor role within the novella, her character represents a much greater message. Through Martha, Dickens is able to challenge the Malthusian perspective (see ‘Context: Poverty’), which dismisses the lower class as the “surplus population”. Instead, he presents the Cratchit children with their own, individual personalities. This translates to Victorian society, as it seems as though Dickens is trying to make a statement about the individualism (a social outlook which emphasises the importance of each person) of the poor in society, highlighting that they cannot, or should not, be dismissed or ignored

**Context**
Dickens explores her character further when he describes how she hid when Bob Cratchit came home but ran out early as she “didn’t like to see him disappointed”. This presents her as playful yet compassionate. Therefore, while she plays only a minor role within the novella, her character represents a much greater message. Through Martha, Dickens is able to challenge the Malthusian perspective (see ‘Context: Poverty’), which dismisses the lower class as the “surplus population”. Instead, he presents the Cratchit children with their own, individual personalities. This translates to Victorian society, as it seems as though Dickens is trying to make a statement about the individualism (a social outlook which emphasises the importance of each person) of the poor in society, highlighting that they cannot, or should not, be dismissed or ignored. Context Dickens informs the reader that Martha is a “poor apprentice at a milliner’s”, an interesting choice due to the social stigma that surrounded these places. In 1843, the year in which the novella was written, milineries (a place which made and sold hats) were one of the few places which would hire women, however, they were also one of the worst. Women were forced to work in dirty, unsafe conditions under cruel supervisors and were often underpaid. This forced many of them to turn to prostitution in order to survive. As a result, these women were assigned the same low social status as prostitutes and so were generally looked down on. Therefore, it can certainly be argued that it is significant that Dickens chose to have Martha apprentice at a milliner’s but still present her positively, as it is evident that he is trying to challenge widespread prejudice against the poor.

Peter Cratchit

Character Summary When Peter Cratchit, Bob Cratchit’s oldest son, is first introduced to the novella he is described as wearing his father’s shirt “in honour of the day”. The narrator notes that the collar was “monstrous”, but Peter “rejoiced” irrespective of this, as he was happy to be so “gallantly attired”. This heartbreaking description is likely to cause the reader to pity his character, particularly due to the negative connotations of the adjective “monstrous”. This is because the reader is aware that his clothes are too big for him but see that he is delighted regardless. It could be argued that Dickens creates this sympathetic portrayal of his character so the reader understands the complexity of the challenges which arise from poverty. This may cause them to be more sensitive to the troubles which the lower-class face.

In a similar way to Martha Cratchit, Dickens explores the individuality of Peter by developing and exploring his characterisation. Dickens writes that he “mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour”, presenting his character as energetic and spirited. Furthermore, when Bob reveals that he has a “situation in his eye for Master Peter”, Dickens adopts a light-hearted and humorous commentary.

He describes how the two younger Cratchits “laughed tremendously” while Peter “looked thoughtfully” at the fire, as if he was contemplating which “investments he would favour”. This tone further develops Peter’s characterisation, as we are able to get a better understanding of his comical personality, despite his relatively minor role within the novella. Ultimately, it could be argued that this contributes to the theme of poverty in the novella, as Dickens uses his character to make the reader sympathise with the Cratchits due to their deprivation, while also admiring their spirit and character

Question 30

How is Tiny Tim presented as Kind, Thoughtful and patient?

Answer 30

• Kind
• Disabled
• Thoughtful

Tiny Tim is one of Bob Cratchit’s sons. He walks with a crutch and has ‘his limbs supported by an iron frame’. Despite his physical difficulties, he is a positive and generous child. He thinks of others and is well-loved by his family.

Scrooge is affected by the child and when he is shown the Cratchit family Christmas by the Ghost of Christmas Present, he worries whether Tiny Tim will live. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows a possible future in which Scrooge’s fears are realised and Tiny Tim has died.

At the end of the novella, after Scrooge changes his character, we learn that he becomes like a second father to Tiny Tim.

Question 31

Summarise Tiny Tim and the Themes he represents.

Answer 31

Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit’s disabled son, is a minor but significant character as he fulfills important roles within the novella.

Dickens uses his character to highlight the transformation of Scrooge, which is central to the narrative. When Bob proposes a toast to Scrooge on Christmas Day “Tiny Tim drank it last of all” and “didn’t care twopence for it” which highlights his dislike towards his father’s boss. However, following Scrooge’s reparations, he becomes a “second father” to Tiny Tim, epitomising his character development (see ‘Character profile: Ebenezer Scrooge’).

It is also interesting to note that Dickens was a strong advocate for the poor in London and so it could be argued that he intended to create a sympathetic embodiment of the suffering of children through the character of Tiny Tim. His character allows Dickens’ to engage with the reader’s emotions and so catalyse social change. Dickens achieves this presentation by carefully constructing his descriptions of Tiny Tim: he presents him to be “as good as gold”, emphasising his good nature in order to appeal to the reader. This is built on by his heartbreaking description of Tim “feebly” crying “Hurrah!” on Christmas day in an attempt to join in with the festivities, establishing a sense of pathos (something which causes sadness or pity) about his character.

Key Themes

Poverty
Dicken’s explores the theme of poverty through Tiny Tim by idealising his character, presenting him as hopeful and grateful despite the distressing situation he is in. He also presents this theme by exploring the relationship between Tiny Tim and Scrooge, highlighting to the reader in an allegorical manner (a metaphor where a character or event is used to convey a broader message about the real world) that the rich have a duty towards the lower classes.

Class tensions
The relationship between Scrooge and Tiny Tim could be interpreted as symbolic of the connection between the upper and lower class, a reading which is synonymous with Dickens’ overarching narrative surrounding social responsibility. When Scrooge is ignorant of the plight of the lower class, dismissing them as simply “the surplus population”, Tiny Tim’s tragic death follows. However, when Scrooge becomes aware of his greater social responsibility, he becomes a “second father” to Tim and this future is averted. It is interesting to note that Dickens presents www.pmt.education this relationship as mutually beneficial, as Scrooge regrets not having children. Indeed, he weeps as he wonders what it would have been like for a child who “might have called him father” . This longing is satisfied through his relationship with Tiny Tim.

Question 32

What are Tiny Tims Relationship like with other people?
Key quotes

Answer 32

Relationships

● Bob Cratchit: Tiny Tim’s relationship with Bob is another example of the pathos which surrounds his character, particularly in the aftermath of Tim’s death. The poignant image of Bob Cratchit walking “slower” than he used to due to the absence of “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder” evokes pity from the reader and establishes a sombre tone to the remainder of the stave. This may perhaps be because Tiny Tim personifies innocence, and so his death is perceived as a loss of innocence from the novella. Therefore, when it is revealed in the final stave that Tiny Tim “did not die” the reader most likely feels relief, as this acts as a restoration of order within the novella.

Key Quotes

● “God bless us, Every one!” The religious focus of Tiny Tim’s statement presents him as an exemplary child who embodies the spirit of Christmas. This is heightened by the phrase “every one” which highlights that he is compassionate and caring, both of these are traits which further the endearing nature of his character. Dickens quotes this line for the final words of the novella, attributing a sense of importance to his character and leaving the reader with the image of Tiny Tim as a symbol of hope and the positive outcomes which can be achieved through both personal and social reform.
● “‘My little, little child’ cried Bob. ‘My Little child!’” Dickens uses epimone (the repetition of a word or phrase to emphasise a point) in order to further the frail and weak characterisation of Tiny Tim. This causes the reader to sympathise more with the situation as they realise the tragic nature of the death of a child. The reader understands the strong emotions Bob must be feeling, as he is at a loss for words and can describe Tim as nothing but “little”. The term connotes ideas of innocence and helplessness, furthering the injustice of the situation.
● “He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas day who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.” This allusion to Jesus highlights Tiny Tim’s role as a moral compass within the text. He acts as a Dickens’ mouthpiece of goodness, similar to how Jesus acted as God’s messenger to impart the importance of morality to humanity. This phrase also emphasises the Christmas message of tolerance and hope.

Question 33

How does Tiny Tim encourage Biblical stories and religon?

Answer 33

Inspired by Dickens’s nephew (who sadly did not live to adulthood), Tiny Tim represents
children in Victorian society who were vulnerable because of disabilities.
Tiny Tim is loved by Bob, who carries ‘Tiny Tim upon his shoulder.’, and all the family
members.
This illustrates Dickens’s view, later reiterated in the 1850 Christmas edition of his magazine
Household Words, that, in the eyes of God, all children, including those with disabilities,
have value.
Dickens shows the reader that, despite his difficulties, Tim and his family have kept
their faith in God.
Dickens emphasises this through dialogue when Bob Cratchit says: ‘He told me, coming home,
that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be
pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind
men see’. The character of Tiny Tim, depicted as a good, almost angelic child, is used to encourage
Christians to reflect on religion and biblical stories in which Jesus does not ignore the
disabled.
This provides a moral message for the reader.

Tiny Tim is also a symbol of the consequences of Scrooge’s change in attitude and behaviour
in the story. At the end of the novella, his condition improves drastically (he ‘did not die’) thanks to money that Scrooge gives to the family.
Dickens therefore uses the character of Tiny Tim and the possibility of his future death
as a device to force Scrooge to change his selfish ways, and to challenge readers to do the same.

Peter Cratchit, Bob’s eldest son, is on the verge of manhood. He has everything to look forward to. Bob has found him a ‘situation’, a job. This transition to manhood is symbolised by his new shirt, a shirt that is too big for
him, as its collar is ‘monstrous’. By drawing attention to the size of the shirt, perhaps Dickens is suggesting that Peter is too young to be entering the world of work.
Furthermore, the shirt is second-hand, ‘Bob’s private property, conferred upon his son and
heir in honour of the day’, which underscores the poverty of a family who cannot afford
new clothes. Despite wearing an oversized second-hand shirt, Peter ‘rejoiced to find himself so gallantly
attired, and yearned to show his linen in the fashionable Parks’.
Here, we have a reference to the parks of London where the fashionable upper classes
would ride and show off their finery.
Dickens implies that Peter would love to join them in showing off his new clothes.
Of course, this would be impossible.
Perhaps Dickens uses Peter to represent the hopes and dreams of the working classes to better themselves.
This idea is developed when, after the future Tiny Tim dies, Bob hopes that Fred will find
him a ‘better situation’.

Martha Cratchit, Bob’s oldest daughter, is ‘a poor apprentice at a milliner’s’
(a milliner makes and sells hats).
She represents exploited, underpaid female apprentices. We do not know how old she is apart from the fact that she is Bob’s oldest daughter, but she joins in the fun and hides from Bob before he arrives, which hints that she is
young. Her income is necessary to the Cratchit family, as it supplements Bob’s meagre pay.
Through her character, Dickens reminds the reader of the working conditions for apprentices.
She is late at her parents’ house because she works long hours and is even required
to work on Christmas Day: ‘We’d a deal of work to finish up last night…and had
to clear away this morning’.
She relates ‘how many hours she worked at a stretch, and how she meant to lie abed to-morrow
morning for a good long rest’. Dickens emphasises the extent to which she is exploited through irony: ‘she had seen
a countess and a lord some days before’—she makes hats for the rich, hats that she will
never be able to afford for herself.

The 1847 Factory Act (which said that women and children aged between 13 - 18 should work
a maximum of 10 hours a day) only applied to women and children who worked in factories.
We can assume, bearing in mind Dickens’s purpose, that ‘A Christmas Carol’ is set
in 1843, so Martha would have had no protection from the law.
The first time that we meet Belinda, she is performing a domestic task, helping her mother: Then up rose Mrs. Cratchit, Cratchit’s wife, dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown,
but brave in ribbons, which are cheap and make a goodly show for sixpence; and she laid
the cloth, assisted by Belinda Cratchit, second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons […]
The repetition of ‘brave in ribbons’ implies that she is a younger version of her mother,
learning gender-assigned roles in the house.
She ‘sweetened up the apple-sauce’ and changed the plates between courses.
Interestingly, when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge to Bob Cratchit’s
house in stave 4, she is not mentioned by name. We can assume that she is one of the ‘daughters…engaged in sewing’ and one of the ‘girls’ who
speaks.
In this scene, only Bob Cratchit, Peter Cratchit and Tiny Tim are mentioned by name.
Mrs Cratchit is defined by her role as wife and ‘mother’. The future Belinda is denied a name or identity. We do not learn the names of the younger Cratchit children. However, if we add them to Martha, Belinda, Peter and Tiny Tim, we learn that Mr and Mrs
Cratchit have six mouths to feed. This number draws attention to Bob’s situation as poorly paid employee. It also explains why Martha works and why Peter has just been found a ‘situation’.

Question 34

Summarise Marley’s ghost

Answer 34

Marley’s Ghost is the first apparition who appears to Scrooge. He warns Scrooge that if he does not change his ways he too will experience the damning consequences of his sinful behaviour in the afterlife.

Dickens establishes the friendship between Scrooge and Marley from the opening of the novella. The narrator says that they were “partners for I don’t know how many years” which highlights to the reader that they have a time-honoured relationship. He develops this further by likening their characters, revealing that Scrooge “answered to both names”. Therefore, it can be argued that Marley’s characterisation reflects onto Scrooge. As a result, the descriptions of his isolation and suffering inform the reader about Scrooge’s fate if he doesn’t take action and repent.

Marley’s character is also important as he outlines the structure of the novella. He warns Scrooge that he will not be the only Ghost to visit, informing him that he will be “haunted…by Three Spirits”. He goes on to tell him to “Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls One”. This establishes a timeline of events which adds a sense of structure to the chaotic supernatural events that Scrooge experiences, informing both the reader and Scrooge of what to expect from the novella. This could be interpreted as a dramatic technique, as readers expect and anticipate upcoming events which increases the tension.

Question 35

Context of Marley’s character

Answer 35

Marley’s Ghost can be seen as a physical representation of the Christian belief system of heaven and hell and the importance of repentance and redemption. He is shown by Dickens to be in purgatory, a state of limbo in between death and heaven where the souls of sinners go until they have repented their sins and can go to heaven.

Purgatory is a place of immense suffering and “incessant torture”. The suffering Marley is facing is shown by Dickens to be a direct consequence of his attitude towards people during his life. His Ghost is described as having chains “made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds”, all items connected with his job. Indeed, Dickens clarifies that these are the “chains (he) forged in life”, reinforcing the idea that he is suffering due to his own actions.

The fact Marley has clearly caused his own suffering would perhaps cause the reader to view his character unsympathetically. This lack of sympathy is furthered by the animalistic imagery used by Dickens to describe the chain which is “long, and wound about him like a tail”. The simile www.pmt.education “like a tale” dehumanises Marley and the reptilian image created is repulsive to the reader which prevents the reader from sympathising with him. Furthermore, it presents the idea that his sins are suffocating him and are having visually detrimental effects on his humanity.

Question 36

Purpose of Marley?

Answer 36

Marley’s Ghost has multiple purposes within the novella. Firstly, Dickens uses his character to introduce the reader to religious and supernatural themes. He is the first Ghost to appear to Scrooge, an arrival which is made more dramatic by the narrator’s repeated assertions that “Old Marley was dead”. This heightens the impact of the supernatural theme as it is unexpected. He also establishes the concept of religious justice, as Dickens presents the idea of accountability through his character.

By introducing the religious ideas of purgatory, justice and accountability, Dickens attributes another role to Marley’s character. He can be seen as a deterrent (discouragement and warning) as he exemplifies the repercussions Scrooge will face if he fails to change.

It is interesting to note that the reason his warning resonates with Scrooge is due to their close relationship. Dickens describes them as “partners” and reveals that Scrooge saw Marley as an “excellent man of business”. Taking into account Scrooge’s fixation with wealth and business, this can be seen as high-praise which highlights their superficial yet close relationship.

Dickens also uses Marley’s character to act as a catalyst for Scrooge’s change. He instils feelings of fear in Scrooge, evidenced by the “terrible sensation” he feels after Marley’s visit. This ultimately offers Scrooge a chance at redemption, as this fear is what initially drives his desire to chang

Question 37

What are Jacob Marley’s relationships with other characters?

Answer 37

The relationship between Scrooge and Marley is the only relationship of Marley’s that the reader is made aware of. Dickens writes that “Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner”. The repetition of “sole” highlights Marley’s isolation and dependence on Scrooge, while the possessive pronoun “his” illustrates how Marley was equally as important to Scrooge. This emphasises how vital their companionship was to each other. Dickens may be trying to portray the idea that even miserly old men like Scrooge need companionship in life. Despite the fact that their relationship may be perceived as dysfunctional, Scrooge was never completely alone until after Marley’’s death. www.pmt.education It is possible that Dickens intended to show the reader that relationships are crucial. It could be speculated that the lack of companionship in the lives of Scrooge and Marley caused their bitter attitudes.

Question 38

Jacob Marley’s key quotes

Answer 38

● “I wear the chains I forged in life” This declaration holds a double meaning as it is meant both literally and figuratively. Literally, in that Marley was the modern-day equivalent of an accountant or bookkeeper. This meant that his work involved writing “deeds” and “ledgers” and so he physically made these things in his life. The phrase is also meant figuratively as he is now held captive for eternity because of the way he acted in his life.

● “no rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse” The two short and simple sentences create a sense of tension by increasing the pace. In addition, it mirrors the trapped and claustrophobic feelings Marley is experiencing in purgatory. Furthermore, Dickens subverts the rule of three in the first sentence. By stopping after two clauses Dickens leaves the sentence feeling unfinished, causing the reader to feel uncomfortable. This may perhaps be to mirror Scrooge’s uncomfortable feelings towards the ghost, allowing the reader to empathise with his character.

● “Mankind was my business” This phrase reflects Dickens’ ideas on social responsibility - the idea that we are all accountable to each other and that it is our duty to help one another. When the two Portly Gentlemen ask Scrooge for charity money in the opening stave, he replies that he will not donate because it is not his “business”. Here Dickens highlights the importance of being socially conscious, as Marley realises too late that he should have focussed on “mankind” rather than business and finance

Question 39

How does Dickens use repetition?

Answer 39

Dickens also uses repetition to emphasise the fact that Marley has passed away.
Within the first page he repeats this idea several times.
For example, there is repetition of the simile ‘Marley was as dead as a door-nail,’ followed
by a reference to Marley’s funeral and how Scrooge was the ‘sole mourner’.
These references, all within the first four paragraphs of the text, leave the reader in
no doubt that, the first time we see Marley, he will be a ghost.
Dickens develops the theme of the supernatural and begins to create tension when Scrooge
first sees an apparition of Marley’s face on Scrooge’s door knocker.
Although Scrooge dismisses the vision at the time, this event foreshadows the arrival of
Marley’s Ghost later that evening.

Question 40

How does Dickens use Listing?

Answer 40

Dickens uses listing to describe Marley’s Ghost wearing a chain made of ‘cash-boxes,
keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses’.
All these items are related to money and business, so they symbolise his greed during his life.
Marley’s appearance serves as the first warning to Scrooge that he too could be punished
for his greed with money and lack of social responsibility if he fails to change his self-centred
ways.
Dickens hints at religious reasons for Marley’s torment when he says ‘I wear the chain I
forged in life’ and he is ‘doomed to wander through the world’.
The former moneylender is suffering in the afterlife because of his uncaring, money-grabbing
behaviour whilst he was alive.
With this punishment, Dickens references the Catholic belief in Purgatory, a place where
the evil souls of the dead endure great suffering before they are purified and go to heaven.
Dickens’s use of the verb ‘doomed’, however, implies that Marley has in fact been
judged and condemned to ‘wander the world’ and he has no hope of going to Heaven.
The alliteration with ‘wander’ and ’world’ slows down the sentence, almost slowing down
time to emphasise the eternal length of his punishment. Marley clearly regrets his actions of caring for profit, not people, when he was alive,
and we see this through a range of techniques.
Dickens employs a pun when Marley states ‘Mankind was my business.’
Scrooge has just referred to business in the office; Marley uses the word ‘business’
to tell Scrooge (and, by default, the reader) that we must all look after one another.

Dickens describes Scrooge as Marley’s ‘sole friend’, highlighting how lonely they were
in pursuit of money.
He was also, sadly, the ‘sole mourner’ at Marley’s funeral.
The repetition of the adjective ‘sole’ emphasises the solitary nature of their work
and how Scrooge and Marley were concerned only with their own profits, not with their
relationships with others.
This imagery also echoes the ‘solitary as an oyster’ simile used to describe Scrooge
earlier in the novella. Unlike the oyster imagery, there is no hidden pearl of redemption for Marley.
This language and imagery serves as a lesson to the reader: don’t be like Marley and
Scrooge, focusing purely on self gain.
Ultimately, Dickens uses Marley as his mouthpiece to emphasise the importance of social responsibility
and the need to look after family, friends and employees.
This is the only way to avoid eternal punishment. By using the concept of Purgatory, Dickens suggests that it is the Christian duty of
his readers to help others.

Remember!
— It is Christianity To Do Good always — even to those who do evil to us.
It is Christianity to love our neighbour as ourself, and to do to all men as we would
have them Do to us.
It is Christianity to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities
quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our
love of God, but always to shew that we love Him by humbly trying to do right in everything.

Question 41

How is Fred described and how does his chracter develop?

Answer 41

Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, is introduced early in the novella and is described to be “ruddy and handsome”. This comes after the description of Scrooge’s “thin lips” and “old features”, causing the reader to instantly warm to the fresh and youthful atmosphere that Fred introduces. Dickens builds on this by informing the reader that Fred’s eyes “sparkled”, presenting him as cheerful and excited. This is reinforced by the fact that he arrived “all in a glow”, an interesting description as it is associated with the motif (repeated idea) of light within the novella. When Dickens uses descriptions of light, as seen here and with the “jet of light” emitted by the Ghost of Christmas Past, he is often symbolising innocence and goodness. This reflects onto Fred’s character, causing the reader to understand that he embodies these traits. In doing so, he presents him as an exemplary character whom readers should look up to.

Character Development

Fred maintains his optimistic outlook and positive traits throughout the novella, a quality which becomes the defining feature of his character. Despite Scrooge’s ill-mannered behaviour with Fred, he vows to keep visiting his uncle “year after year” to try and change his attitude. It could be argued that this adds a sense of much-needed stability within the novella. This is because by choosing to have the minor characters remain constant, Dickens heightens and foregrounds Scrooge’s transformation.

Question 42

What is Fred’s purpose and how does he compare to Scrooge?

Answer 42

Fred is presented as a foil to Scrooge, which means that he contrasts his character in order to emphasise certain qualities. Therefore, by emphasising Fred’s goodness, Dickens amplifies the negative qualities within Scrooge.

His character is first used to juxtapose the atmosphere in the opening stave. Dickens contrasts the bleak and miserable descriptions of the setting with the “glow” that Fred brings. This serves to both emphasise Fred’s virtue and cause Scrooge’s dismal attitude to appear worse. Consequently, Fred and Scrooge are presented as the antithesis (direct opposite) of each other in the opening stave.

*This is also used by Dickens to emphasise Scrooge’s isolation. His seclusion is highlighted when he stands with the Ghost looking into Fred’s party. The proxemics (the amount of space a person chooses to keep between themselves and others) here illustrates Scrooge’s outsider status.

Question 43

How is Fred positive, persistent & Enthusiastic?

Answer 43

• Cheerful
• Generous
• Kind-hearted

Social and historical context

Many of the Christmas traditions that we enjoy today began during the Victorian era. Before the 19th-century, Christmas was not celebrated in the way that it is today. It was not even considered a holiday by many businesses.

The practice of sending Christmas cards began during the Victorian times, as did the giving of elaborate and increasingly luxurious gifts on Christmas Day.

The Christmas feast has a longer history, though the popularity of turkey can be attributed to the Victorians. The focus on family and spending time with loved ones also came about in the 1800s.

A Christmas Carol was written during this time and played its part in making these new traditions popular.

Question 44

What does Fred represent?

Answer 44

Unlike Scrooge, Fred symbolises the good in people, as he sets a good example of how we
should behave towards one another, particularly towards family.
A representative of the middle class, Dickens uses Fred’s character to show generosity
towards others, especially at Christmas time.
This is seen in Fred’s invitation to Scrooge to celebrate Christmas at his house.
This contrast is developed through dialogue.
We first meet Fred when he arrives to wish Scrooge a Merry Christmas: ‘A merry Christmas,
uncle!
God save you!’.
Dickens’s use of exclamations emphasises Fred’s generosity of spirit towards his
uncle and to Christmas.
Dickens also reminds us of the importance of God when Fred blesses Scrooge.
By way of contrast, Scrooge’s exclamations ‘Bah!’ and ‘Humbug!’ reveal a misanthropic,
cynical attitude.
The use of contrasting exclamations heightens the differences between the two foils and
emphasise Scrooge’s lack of goodwill.

Dickens develops the contrast between the two men through heat imagery when he associates
Fred with warmth: ‘He had so heated himself with rapid walking’ that his face was ‘all
in a glow’.
Not only is Fred literally warm, but he emits a metaphorical warmth to those around him.
This contrasts with imagery of coldness associated with Scrooge: ‘He carried his own low temperature
always about with him’.
By employing contrasting imagery, Dickens encourages the reader to make comparisons
between the two men and to judge Fred as the better man.

Question 45

How does Dickens use listing in direct speech?

Answer 45

Dickens uses listing in direct speech when Fred regards Christmas as a ‘kind, forgiving,
charitable, pleasant time’.
Dickens’s use of listing (or asyndetic listing, as there are no conjunctions) speeds up the
pace and draws the attention of the reader to the adjectives, which all have positive,
Christian connotations, aligning Fred with goodness.
In this way, the reader is made aware that Scrooge’s isolation is through his own choice
and free will: it has not been imposed on him by members of his family.
The writer also uses mirroring as a technique to illustrate Fred’s character in relation
to his mother and Scrooge.
Even though Scrooge has not made any time for his family, Fred still persists on inviting
him for Christmas dinner when he visits his uncle to delivers the season’s greetings;
this action mirrors that of Fan, who collected Scrooge from school when he was a boy.
This shows there was the potential for Scrooge to have positive, loving relationships with
his family, but he has chosen a more selfish path.
Dickens depicts Fred as a good Christian who believes that Scrooge has the potential to
change and return to the fold.
Even though he has a genuine reason to feel aggrieved, Fred refuses to be heavily critical
of Scrooge’s self-centred ways.

At his Christmas party, he expresses his determination to welcome Scrooge back into the family if
Scrooge changes his mind: ‘I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he
likes it or not, for I pity him’.
Fred might be entitled to be somewhat irritated with Scrooge’s repeated rejections, but
he almost appears stubborn in his refusal to give up on his uncle.
This symbolises the Christian idea of hope that people can be saved and become better
people.
Fred’s attitude towards Scrooge remains consistent throughout the novella.
In stave 5, he welcomes Scrooge back into the family (‘Let him in!’) despite the
way Scrooge has treated him.
Through the exclamation, we see that he accepts flaws and remains friendly, despite the circumstances.
Finally, when the future Tiny Tim dies, Fred assumes a paternal, caring role by saying
that he is ‘heartily sorry’ and offering to be ‘of service’ to Bob Cratchit.
Again, he shows the compassion that Scrooge lacks; he helps rather than exploits Bob.
To a certain extent, Fred comes across as an unbelievable, two-dimensional character.
But is it important that Fred appears to be too good to be true?
The answer is no.
Dickens uses Fred as a symbol of goodness.
He is a role model to the reader, showing us how we should behave…especially towards
difficult relations!

Question 46

Who is Scrooge’s sister?

Answer 46

Character Summary Fanny, or Fan, is Scrooge’s younger sister, a character that Dickens uses to represent love, youth and optimism. She is also used as an embodiment of Christmas spirit, a common theme amongst the favoured characters within the novella; she tells Scrooge that they will be “together all Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world”. Through this assertion, Dickens reveals to the reader that Scrooge was not always someone who hated Christmas, a characterisation which starkly contrasts his portrayal in the opening stave. Therefore, it follows that Fan’s character is significant to the novella in what she reveals about Scrooge, as this allows the reader to learn more about the protagonist and his journey.

Relationships

Scrooge: Fan’s character is used by Dickens to humanise Scrooge, as this is the first time readers see positive and genuine emotion from his character. From a structural perspective this is significant. The reader is introduced to Fan during Scrooge’s first visit with the Spirits, the character who is portrayed in this contrasts to the negative and cold descriptions of the unsympathetic narrator at the start of the text.

By introducing Fan in the very next chapter the reader is given the opportunity to empathise with him, allowing them to build the connection that they were missing. The reader recognises that she is the only source of love in his life. Indeed, he is described as a “solitary child” who is suddenly showered with affection. Fan is described as putting “her arms about his neck, and often kissing him”, an excessive display of love which warms the reader to Scrooge’s character. This is not solely for the readers benefit, however, as it also reminds Scrooge that there was a time in his life when he was affectionate and carefree. Ultimately, this gives him the hope that he can return to that state.

Question 47

What are the key themes that Fanny represents?

Answer 47

Family: Dickens uses Fan to further the idea that family should be an important focus within
society, as an individual’s family can have a profound effect on their character and well-being. Fan exclaims that she has come to bring Scrooge “home, home, home!”, using repetition to
emphasise the value of family life. By including this as such a strong theme within a novella
centred around Christmas, Dickens establishes a connection between the two ideas.

This theme introduces the notion that family should be central to the festive time. Dickens
highlights this through Scrooge’s household, as the revelation that his father is “so much kinder
than he used to be” implies some form of domestic turmoil. This turmoil suggests that his father
was cruel, which may have contributed to Scrooge’s dismal attitude. Furthermore, this detail can be
interpreted as foreshadowing the end of the novella as, by revealing that Scrooge’s father was
www.pmt.education 4
able to change, Dickens may be implying that Scrooge too will transform. Ultimately this adds to
the sense of optimistic hope brought by Fan’s character.

It is interesting to note that Dickens is vague with his descriptions of Scrooge’s family life, perhaps
to prevent the reader from sympathising with him to the extent that they excuse his behaviour. One
of the purposes of the novella is to emphasise the need to change by using the common literary
trope (recurring theme or idea) of a cruel father and an absent mother. The reader sympathises
with Scrooge enough to be able to develop empathy for his character, but they are accustomed to
this type of suffering in fiction. Therefore, they do not sympathise too much and excuse his actions

Question 48

Key Fanny quotes

Answer 48

• “And with a mournful shaking of his head, glanced anxiously towards the door” Here Dickens implies that Scrooge was expecting to see his sister, a poignant display of emotion. This likely causes the reader to sympathise with his character, particularly due to the “mournful” way in which he shakes his head. Through this, Dickens suggests that he truly did love Fan and is pained to think about her death. Prior to this Scrooge “wept to see his poor forgotten self”, a display of self-pity which is unlikely to appeal to readers. When he shows empathy and love towards another character the reader is able to support his character to a greater extent.
• Home, for good and all. Home, for ever and ever” Dickens uses anaphora (repetition of a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses) in Fan’s speech to highlight how important his return home is to the siblings. The repetition implies that Scrooge is in disbelief while the lyrical quality of the line creates a child-like and magical tone - as if the idea of returning home was inconceivable to both Fan and Scrooge. This ultimately causes the reader to sympathise with Scrooge while also feeling grateful for their own families, furthering the idea that family should be essential to the festive time.
• “A delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered… but she had a large heart” The Spirit adopts a poetic quality in its language while describing Fan, using ethereal adjectives such as “delicate creature” and likening Fan to a flower through the verb “withered”. This mirrors the tone of a eulogy (speech which praises someone highly, particularly someone who has died) which ultimately elevates Fan’s character, as it is the God-like Spirits which hold this respect for her.
• “Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly” Here Dickens makes it clear that Scrooge has already begun to reflect on his actions in the present, pondering on his relationship with Fred after being reminded of the kindness of his sister, Fred’s mother. By highlighting his regret so early on in the novella, the reader can already begin to see his change, causing them to remain optimistic of a transformation and consequently a happy ending to the novella.

Question 49

Who is Belle?

Answer 49

Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée, is introduced to the reader in Stave Two of the novella. The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to see the final moments of his relationship with her. Her character is used to show the effects of Scrooge’s fixation with money. She refers to their relationship as an “unprofitable dream”, illustrating Scrooge’s obsession with the financial gain of his relationships. Dickens does, however, make it clear that Scrooge was not always like this. Belle says that their marriage contract was made when they were “both poor and content to be so” mirroring the change in Scrooge’s attitude. This gives the reader hope, as it reveals that Scrooge was not always this way and so can hopefully return back to his former self. Furthermore, it emphasises that greed and “gain” detrimentally altered Scrooge’s personality. This ties closely into the Ghost of Christmas Present’s warning that Scrooge should “beware” of ‘want’.

Dickens also explores the theme of family through Belle’s character. When Scrooge sees her with her children he wonders what it would have been like to have children who “might have called him father”. This causes his sight to grow ”very dim indeed”, suggesting that he has started to cry. This is a significant display of emotion as it highlights how deeply Scrooge is affected by regret. It could be said that this directly contributes to Scrooge’s transformation as these powerful emotions illustrate the error of his ways.

Question 50

Belle Key Quotes

Answer 50

• “Another idol has displaced me…A golden one”. The word “idol” is an interesting choice from Dickens due to its connotations. An idol is often associated with a god-like figure that people worship, illustrating the extent of Scrooge’s fixation with money.
• “Can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless girl” Dickens uses a lexical field of money and gain during his descriptions of Scrooge and Belle, exemplified here by the adjective “dowerless”. This is significant as it shows Scrooge’s misanthropic and miserly attitude. It shows the reader that Scrooge does not hold any meaningful relationships with people as he looks at things through a financial viewpoint. www.pmt.education 8
• “Show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me?” This is significant as it epitomises Scrooge’s regret. Dickens uses emotive language, referring to the situation as “torture”, which effectively conveys the powerful emotions that Scrooge is feeling. *

Question 51

Who is Old Joe

Answer 51

Character Summary
Old Joe is introduced in Stave Four of the novella, when the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come takes Scrooge to witness the aftermath of his death. He is a pawnbroker who owns a shop in a “foul” area of the town. The three thieves bring Scrooge’s stolen belongings to his shop to try and make a profit. Dickens uses a harsh and blunt tone during his descriptions in this passage which heightens the immorality that occurs in ‘old Joe’s’ shop.

Setting
Dickens uses the setting to further the immoral and perverse tone of the stave. He unites his description of the people and the environment, portraying them both as filthy and disgusting. The people are described as “half-naked, drunken, slipshod, ugly”, an example of asyndetic listing (a list broken up by commas rather than conjunctions like ‘and’). This makes the adjectives appear relentless and the narration seem unforgiving. He continues by describing the “whole quarter” as a place which “reeked with crime, with filth, and misery”. By choosing the word “whole” he highlights that there were no exceptions, furthering the intense criticism of the place. This may perhaps be to portray the alarming consequences of Scrooge’s actions. By presenting this realistically and descriptively, Dickens is able to ensure that his message is accurately conveyed to the reader. It could also be said that he uses this opportunity to paint a picture in the reader’s mind of the hideous extent of poverty.

Appearance and Behaviour

Old Joe is described as a “grey haired rascal” who was “nearly 70 years of age”. His old age suggests that he has grown up in this horrific setting, an idea which is emphasised by the “masses of corrupted fat” and “sepulchres (tombs) of bones” which surround him. This graphic description further emphasises the filthy surroundings, while Old Joe is simply presented as a product of this environment. Through Joe, Dickens illustrates the cycle of poverty and informs the reader of how repulsive it can be.

Furthermore, he presents Joe as oblivious to his foul surroundings, writing that he “smoked his pipe in all the luxury of calm retirement” which demonstrates his comfort. This reveals the urgency of the problem of poverty as people are becoming accustomed to these appalling environments. Ultimately this emphasises how Dickens believes the issue of poverty needs immediate attention.

Joe’s speech is relaxed and detached, illustrated through his interactions with the charwoman. When she presents him with Scrooge’s blankets he responds with the witty: “I hope he didn’t die of anything catching? Eh?”. His banter appears misplaced, however, as it juxtaposes the immorality and seriousness of his actions. As a result, the tone of the stave becomes subverted and twisted which reflects on Scrooge’s death. It could be speculated that Scrooge’s immoral behaviour during his life created a fittingly amoral legacy after his death.

Question 52

Summarise the Charwoman, Laundress and Undertaker’s man.

Answer 52

Character Summary Scrooge’s laundress and charwoman, along with the undertaker’s man, are introduced to the novella in Stave Four where they all unexpectedly enter “old Joe’s” shop together. Their initial response is described as “blank astonishment”, highlighting the coincidence in the situation, but this causes “all three to burst into a laugh”. Their laughter juxtaposes the dismal tone of the stave, creating a perverted and immoral atmosphere.

Dickens makes it clear that all three people have independently stolen things from Scrooge and that they intend to sell these things to old Joe. It is interesting that Dickens chose to have three people carry out this same action, perhaps to reinforce the extent of Scrooge’s corruption. This eventually heightens the effect of his transformation, as the reader can appreciate how much he has changed. Alternatively, he may have used three people in order to reflect the extent of the desperation of the lower-class, as they have all been driven to theft in order to make money. In either case, Dickens uses their characters to explore the themes of morality and poverty, using chilling descriptions in order to heighten the effect this has on the reader.

Question 53

What are the key themes the 3 repersent?

Answer 53

Morality: Dickens spends a considerable portion of his description focused on how the three people try to justify their actions. This perhaps causes the reader to question the ethics of the situation, prompting them to reflect on the theme of morality. He first makes the assertion, through the charwoman, that “every person has a right to take care of themselves”. This is immediately followed with the bitter “he always did”, conveying a sense of resentment towards www.pmt.education 14 the man. Dickens then uses the insult “wicked old screw” to highlight that one of the reasons the thieves feel justified in their actions is the way Scrooge behaved when he was alive.

Dickens also uses the characters to explore the concept that actions have consequences. This is emphasised by the charwoman’s assertion that “if he (Scrooge) wanted to keep ‘em after he was dead” then he should have been more “natural in his lifetime”. This establishes that their theft is a direct consequence of Scrooge’s apathetic behaviour. By allowing the three individuals to justify their actions, the reader is given the opportunity to empathise with them despite the harrowing descriptions.

In spite of this, Dickens still explores the complex morality of the situation, particularly through the charwoman’s character. Unlike the other two individuals who stole minor domestic items, it is revealed that she stole the man’s “bed-curtains” and even “took off” the shirt that the corpse was wearing. By choosing to have Joe respond with the question: “you don’t mean to say you took ‘em down, rings and all, with him lying there?” Dickens alludes to his disbelief. The question is arguably used for the reader’s benefit, as it shows the reader how the charwoman’s stole the things. This causes the reader to fully understand the extremity of her actions:

• ➔ Even Scrooge is horrified, viewing the situation with “detestation and disgust”. In this example, Dickens uses plosive alliteration (repetition of a sound which stops the airflow then releases it, in this case, ‘d’) to emphasise the magnitude of his horror.

➔ He continues by calling the three people “obscene demons” adding religious weight and judgement to their actions. This is significant because Scrooge is unaware that he is the man that they have stolen from, perhaps highlighting that he has developed empathy and a stronger sense of morality during his time with the Spirits. Alternatively, it might foreground the extent of immorality taking place, suggesting that it is essential for Scrooge to change in order to prevent such twisted consequences.

Poverty: It is interesting to note that Dickens uses eye-dialect (when non-standard English is used to draw attention to pronunciation, seen when Dickens uses ‘em’ rather than ‘them’) for the speech of the three thieves and Joe, a choice which emphasises their lower-class status. This arguably causes the events within the shop to act as a class commentary, implying that Dickens is aiming to convey a message to readers. While it may seem as though he is negatively presenting the poor, this is unlikely. This is because Dickens is widely regarded as one of the most successful authors at exposing the ills of poverty in Victorian society. Perhaps he was instead aiming to outline the harsh realities of poverty in a shocking way to provoke an emotive response from readers.

By using complex phrases such as “the woman who had already spoken”, Dickens makes it difficult for readers to follow and comprehend which of the three individuals are speaking or acting. In doing so he merges the identities of the three together. Furthermore, while he names the laundress as ‘Mrs Dilber’, the charwoman and the undertaker’s man remain unnamed. Instead, they are referred to as “the woman” and “the man”. It could be speculated that Dickens does this so that the characters appear generic, this allows them to be symbolic of the wider population. This means the events in the shop are used as a societal commentary. For example, it may be to illustrate the anonymity of the working class which highlights how they are often overlooked by society

Question 54

Who is Caroline?
What are the key themes Caroline represents?

Answer 54

Character Summary

In Stave Four, Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to take him to someone who “feels emotion” due to the man’s death - the man, of course, being himself. It is revealed, however, that “the only emotion that the Ghost could show him, caused by the event, was one of pleasure”. Scrooge is taken to Caroline, a poverty-stricken woman who has young children and is in debt to Scrooge. This sympathetic portrayal of a family affected by poor business ethics raises moral questions about the correct way to carry out business. Dickens explores this idea through Caroline’s conflicted feelings surrounding Scrooge’s death.

Key Themes

Poverty: Caroline’s husband is described to have a face which was “careworn and depressed though he was young” which emphasises the damaging effects of poverty in an intimate and tense setting. Dickens achieves this tone by using long sentences broken up by short clauses, he describes how Caroline “was expecting someone, and with anxious eagerness; for she walked up and down the room; started at every sound; looked out of the window…” highlighting her restless state. This causes the reader to become increasingly aware of the plight of the poor, coming to the realisation that Scrooge’s poor business ethics have lasting and permanent effects on other people in society. \

Key Quotes

● “She was thankful in her soul to hear it… (but) prayed forgiveness in the next moment, and was sorry; but the first was the emotion of her heart” Dickens ensures that he presents Caroline and her family as good people, stressing that although Caroline was “thankful” that Scrooge had died she was “sorry” for feeling that way. This emotion is mirrored in her husband as Dickens writes that he felt “ashamed” of the “delight” he felt at the news. This highlights just how “merciless” Scrooge was as, if people as “mild and patient” as Caroline felt happiness towards his death, he must indeed have been a horrible man. Furthermore, by including juxtaposing ideas such as delight and shame, Dickens subverts the tone of narration. This causes the reader to become aware of the moral questions that these events raise.

Question 55

Summarise MR Fezziwig and give some key quotes

Answer 55

Character Summary

Mrs. Fezziwig is described in a similar way to Fezziwig himself - a lady who was “worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term”. This assertion shows that she was his equal in terms of business and marriage, allowing the positive descriptions of Fezziwigs character to reflect on her (See Character Profile: Fezziwig’). In addition to this, Dickens presents her and Fezziwig’s relationship as ideal which is a structurally interesting choice as he follows this passage with the breakdown of Scrooge and Belle’s relationship. By setting up this contrast he heightens the emotions of both situations, causing the Fezziwig’s relationship to appear perfect which makes the subsequent breakdown of Scrooge and Belle’s relationship appear worse.

Key Quotes

• “In came Mrs Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile” Dickens uses parallel syntax (repeated sentence structures) for Mrs Fezziwig’s introduction, as the opening phrase “in came” is repeated throughout the paragraph. This emphasises her unity with the rest of the people at the party, presenting her as a lady who has assimilated into the crowd and is well-liked. He also uses a synecdoche (when one part is used to represent a whole), as he refers to her as “one vast substantial smile”. This shows how her smile characterises her, presenting her as an individual who embodies goodness.
• “If that’s not high praise, tell me higher, and I’ll use it.” Dickens uses the narrator to elevate Mrs Fezziwigs status by interrupting the narrative with the above comment. The conversational tone and direct address causes the reader to fully appreciate her virtue, solidifying her position as a good character.
• “Mr and Mrs Fezziwig took their stations, one on either side the door, and shaking hands with every person individually” The word “station” creates an official tone to Mrs. Fezziwigs actions, suggesting that she values those around her regardless of their social class. Perhaps this is because she views it as her duty, alluding to the idea of social responsibility which Dickens had a strong affinity to. Furthermore, Dickens sets up a contrast between Scrooge and the Fezziwigs, as he emphasises that Scrooge tried to stay “well” in the “esteem” of “wealthy” and “important” businessmen but largely ignored everyone else. Furthermore, Dickens repeats that this was “strictly” from a “business point of view” highlighting how unlike the Fezziwigs, he did not develop personal relationships, which are essential to good business ethics.

Question 56

Who are the portly gentlemen?

Answer 56

Character summary

These are the two men who approach Scrooge in the opening stave, asking for a donation to help the “destitute”. The men play an essential role in the exposition (beginning) of the novella as they expose the apathetic side of Scrooge’s character. His demand to be “left alone” immediately characterises him as an archetypal villain.

Furthermore, the gentlemen are used as a tool to introduce the reader to the socio-economic climate of Victorian England. The men reveal that many people are in “need” and would “rather die” than go to the Union workhouses. It can therefore be argued that Dickens uses the men as mouthpieces (when a character is used as a spokesperson for the authors own opinions and beliefs) for his own social outlook. The characters are used to inform the reader of the poverty in society that they may be ignorant to, establishing Dickens’ message of social responsibility from the very offset of the novella.

Key Themes

Social injustice: The portly gentlemen are the first example of social responsibility that we see in the novella. They act as the voice of Dickens’ socialist ideals. The men inform both Scrooge and the reader to plight of the less fortunate as they try to initiate change.

Question 57

Who are Ignorance and Want and what is their purpose?

Answer 57

Character Summary

Ignorance and Want are the two childlike beings which cling “upon the outside of (the Ghost of Christmas Present’s) garment.” They are symbolic of the issues that plague mankind, and so it could be argued that they are portrayed as children because Dickens is trying to show that children are the ones that suffer the most from society’s issues. They are further described as “monsters”, perhaps because their existence is dangerous to society.

Purpose

The purpose of the children may be to show Scrooge the effects of poverty within society. Dickens tries to show that through education of both the poor and upper-class some of society’s problems, such as poverty, can be solved. The beings are not just a warning to Scrooge but also to all of mankind to change their ways.

Scrooge was a victim of ignorance as he willingly ignored the plight of the working class, and was also a victim of want, as we learn that the reason that Scrooge spent his life so focused on money because of his fear of poverty. He says to Belle that there is nothing which is as “hard as poverty”, highlighting his fixation with gaining money.

Question 58

What are the key themes that Ignorance and Want represent?

Answer 58

Poverty/ Social Injustice - Ignorance and Want are literal manifestations of the disease of poverty. They represent two key factors which contribute to the issue.

➔ The ignorance that the upper-class have towards the plight of the poor causes the issue to be overlooked and so develop further.

➔ In addition, the want and greed that they display prevents them from assisting those who need it.

It is interesting to note that during the nineteenth century philanthropy (charity) was becoming more popular, and so it is significant that Dickens picked up on these two factors. He may have been pushing readers towards a philanthropic mindset to try and change attitudes towards the poor.

Supernatural - The children’s allegorical purpose is emphasised through their supernatural features. By describing them as “hideous” Dickens heightens the dramatic impact of their characters. This is emphasised further due to Dickens structural choices. By introducing the children after the happy Christmas celebrations, their appearance is more abrupt and disturbing which adds to the tension that they bring. Although, while the children may come through a supernatural medium, they are grounded in reality which makes them all the more terrifying.

Question 59

What are some key quotes for Ignorance and Want?

Answer 59

“wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable” Dickens uses listing on multiple occasions to describe the children. This is interesting as he primarily uses vague adjectives - the reader is aware that the children are “hideous” but they do not know exactly what they look like. Consequently, the reader is left to imagine what these “frightful” children look like - heightening the fear that they bring. The lists could also be interpreted as being in reference to society. This is because the children are used to represent the issue of poverty and so Dickens’ descriptions of the children may reflect on his opinions about society as a whole.

● “stale and shrivelled hand like that of age” This epitomises the impact that poverty had on children during the Victorian era, as children were forced to grow up faster than they should have. Children who grew up in poverty were made to work in factories from as early as nine years old in order to bring in some income for their families This links to the concept of ‘present time orientation’ which is prevalent within the culture of poverty. Essentially this means that those in poverty focus only on the present rather than planning for the future, as they lack the resources to do so. Therefore, instead of receiving the long-term benefits of an education, children were made to join the workforce which allowed them to receive wages (see ‘Context: Education and Childhood).

● “Spirit! are they yours?” Scrooge could say no more. “They are Man’s,” This implies that due to the negligence of man, ignorance has been created. The question is accusative but it is flipped on its head as the Ghost not just accuses mankind but presents their guilt. The possessive “Man’s” demonstrates how they belong to all of society, which adds to the theme of social responsibility in the novella.

● “This boy is ignorance…beware of this boy…on his brow I see that written which is doom” Dickens emphasises the impacts of ignorance over the consequences of want, presenting it as a more urgent and pressing concern. This may perhaps be because Scrooge has already learnt the consequences of want, as he felt immense regret when he was taken to see Belle. As a result, Dickens does not need to emphasise the impacts of greed as Scrooge had already learnt his lesson. Alternatively, it may be because if Scrooge was not so ignorant to the poverty which filled society, his greed and fixation with money would not have been so intense. Therefore, the problem of want can be solved by eliminating the ignorance within society. Furthermore, the “doom” which is written on the boy’s head may foreshadow the dark consequences of ignorance in society.

Question 60

How is the Ghost of Christmas Past presented as Ephemeral, Gentle, quiet and firm?

Answer 60

• Young and old
• Commanding
• Streaming with light

The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first spirit to visit Scrooge after the ghost of Marley. It arrives as the clock chimes one. It is an ephemeral spirit that appears to be both old and young at the same time with light streaming from the top of its head.

It takes Scrooge to scenes from his own past, showing him visions of his own childhood, of his young adulthood and of happier times. The final scene he presents is one that Scrooge cannot bear to witness: his lost love, Belle, with her family.

Scrooge turns on the ghost and demands to be shown no more. He attempts to extinguish the ghost’s light with its own cap, wrestling it to the ground. However, the light that shines from the ghost cannot be put out.

Question 61

How is the Ghost of Christmas Present presented as Jolly, Welcoming, Honest and Prophetic

Answer 61

• Jolly
• Welcoming
• Prophetic

The Ghost of Christmas Present is a huge and vibrant character who appears as the bell, once again, strikes one. It appears in Scrooge’s room, surrounded by a feast. The generous nature of this ghost is reflected in the abundant vision of food.

Scrooge is more humble in the presence of this second spirit and is willing to learn any lessons the ghost will show.

It shows Scrooge visions of the world on Christmas Day, including heart-warming scenes of celebration at the homes of Bob Cratchit and Scrooge’s nephew, Fred.

Before it leaves Scrooge, the Ghost shows him two ‘yellow, meagre’ children who are hiding under its cloak. These are called Ignorance and Want and are a warning to Scrooge to change his ways.

Question 62

How is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to come presented as Silent, Frightening & Demanding?

Answer 62

• Silent
• Dark
• Ominous

The final Ghost is frightening and eerie. It doesn’t say a word to Scrooge, but glides along and points out scenes to him.

The spirit first shows Scrooge a funeral scene, with businessmen wondering about the money that the dead man has left. The Ghost then takes him through dark alleyways to a scene of three people picking through the belongings of the deceased. Scrooge recognises that his own death could be met this way.

Next the Ghost takes him to the Cratchit household where Scrooge is upset to realise that Tiny Tim has died.

Finally the Ghost shows him a tombstone engraved with the name: Ebenezer Scrooge. Clutching at the spirit’s robes, Scrooge pledges to change his ways if he can avoid this solitary death. The Ghost disappears and leaves Scrooge clutching at his bed curtains.

Question 63

How is the Theme of Family explored in A Christmas carol

Answer 63

The exploration of ‘family’ as a theme within the novella closely ties in with Dickens’ greater agenda to popularise an emotional element to Christmas. Hence, he emphasises the importance of family during the festive time.

This is contextually significant as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had nine children together and their family was idealised and perceived to be model. Ideas about family were changing during the Victorian era so readers were more likely to be receptive to Dickens’ presentation of the theme.

He emphasises ideas surrounding family by exploring them in detail, highlighting the positive effects that family can have while also explaining the negative consequences which could arise due to the absence of family. He builds on this by presenting the theme of family as one which embodies joy, strength and affection. This is an interesting presentation as it could be argued that Scrooge begins the novella as the complete antithesis (direct opposite) to these ideas. This introduces the idea that the absence of family may be one of the key factors which contributed to Scrooge’s initially abhorrent characterisation.

The Positive Effects of Family.

Fred
From his introduction to the novella, Fred generates a positive atmosphere which affects both Scrooge and the tone of narration. This is first highlighted when he enters Scrooge’s counting-house in Stave One. Prior to his arrival Dickens focuses on cold, gloomy imagery. When Fred appears at the door, however, he “heated himself” and looked to be in “a glow”, introducing warmth to the stave. This is significant as Dickens previously asserted that even “external heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge” which suggests that Fred’s virtue is stronger than the forces of nature. This may perhaps spotlight the power and value of family.

It is also interesting to note that Dickens emphasises that it is Scrooge who isolates himself from his family. This is seen when he refuses Fred’s invitation to “dine” with him on Christmas. It could be argued that this directly links to his downfall, as highlighted by the Ghost of Christmas Present who takes him to Fred’s party. There, he acknowledges that if he had experienced a loving family “years ago” then he might have “cultivated the kindness of life”. This presents the idea that a supportive family is instrumental in the development of a person and so the concept of family should be seen as paramount in society.

Bob Cratchit
Large families like the Cratchits were prevalent in the nineteenth century, so Dickens constructs the Cratchits to be a relatable presentation of the lower class. He idealises their family by focussing on their unity, happiness and strength despite their financial struggles. This conveys the idea that poverty is not a barrier to happiness.

Dickens highlights this through his description of the household on Christmas day. He details that even the potatoes “knocked loudly…to be let out”, emphasising the joy and excitement of the Cratchit family. Their unity is essential following Tiny Tim’s death, where the reader witnesses the family come together and provide Tiny Tim with a loving funeral. This starkly contrasts Scrooge’s body which lay “unwatched, unwept, uncared for”. The alliteration used here emphasises his isolation, and so highlights to the reader that family is more important than money.

Minor Characters
Dickens emphasises the value of family through even the most minor of characters. This implies that family is so essential that it should be interwoven into everyone’s lives. Dickens makes this apparent during Scrooge’s time with the Ghost of Christmas Present by including subtle comments regarding the importance of family. When he describes the setting, he writes that “all the children of the house were running out into the snow to meet their married sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts”. The extensive listing serves to further Scrooge’s isolation as it presents the abundance of family as invaluable.

Dickens goes on to detail that even the geographically isolated miners gather with “cheerful company” while a sailor far out at sea still “remembered those he cared for”. This accumulation of description presents the concept of family to be central to Scrooge’s time with the Spirit, and so must have some effect on his redemption.

The Negative Effects of an Absent Family

• Fanny:
  When Fanny comes to take Scrooge home from boarding school she informs him that their father is now a “kinder” man and that their home now feels “like heaven”. This is a powerful simile as it highlights the great power family can have , emphasising its importance. Therefore, when Scrooge glances “anxiously at the door” and “mournfully” shakes his head before Fanny arrives the reader understands that he feels great sorrow at her death. Her absence evidently had a profound effect on his character, spotlighted by the fact that after he is reminded of her kindness he is “uneasy” and begins to reflect on his relationship with Fred. This is a remarkable change in his character, considering his behaviour in the opening stave, and so it can be inferred that the absence of Fan had negative effects on his personality.
• • Belle: When Scrooge is taken to see Belle, his once fiancée, she reveals that she has been replaced by a “golden” idol. This is in reference to Scrooge’s “passion” www.pmt.education and pursuit of money. Dickens presents the idea that Scrooge’s inclination towards money over relationships has damaged his opportunity to kindle love and start his own family. The magnitude of his loss is foregrounded when he sees Belle with her children, prompting him to question what it would have been like to have children who “called him father”. This pitiful sentiment highlights the regret that Scrooge feels, which implies that he has come to the realisation that family is more important than money.

Question 64

How is the theme of. isolation explored in a Christmas Carol?

Answer 64

Scrooge is an outsider in society and is victim to his own, self-inflicted loneliness. No one necessarily pushed Scrooge away, instead he ostracised himself from society.

Scrooge’s Isolation

In the beginning of the novel the narrator gives a describes Scrooge as “secret and self contained and solitary as an oyster”, the sibilance is similar to that of a snake which suggests something sinister. This is a Biblical allusion as it alludes to the snake in the tree which tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Dickens may be trying to say that isolation can be deadly. The phrase used also creates a semantic field of isolation, through this instantly the reader understands the kind of person that Scrooge is. There is also polysyndetic listing which is used to make the adjectives used more powerful with each adjective the reader is given a deeper understanding of Scrooge and his character.

Scrooges’ isolation is also shown through the social interactions within the novel. In the Victorian times people were extremely cordial with each other, greeting people was apart of the culture. In Scrooge’s description it says that “Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say…My dear Scrooge, how are you?”, Scrooge purposefully isolated himself from society and this same behaviour is mirrored through the people around him. The fact that people no longer try to greet Scrooge shows the extent to which he has isolated himself. The people in Scrooge’s neighbourhood were aware of the kind of person Scrooge was and so did not make an effort to try and involve him.

However, Fred his nephew never gives up on him, even after Scrooge insults him he invites Scrooge to “Come! Dine with us to-morrow.” Although Scrooge tries and is successful with isolating himself Fred is persistent with his uncle and in the end it pays off as Scrooge joins the dinner party which is a sign of his dramatic change. In Scrooge’s change someone who was once as “solitary as an oyster” becomes a social butterfly attending Fred’s dinner party saying “It’s I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to diner. Will you let me in, Fred?”. The question holds a lot of tension as it contains in it all the insults Scrooge gave to Fred and the lifetime of exclusion but Scrooge is finally ready to come back.

Dickens illustrates that it is never too late to come back and that no one has to isolate themselves. This is apart of his socialist ideology which is based on inclusion and making sure that everyone in society is valued and treated equally.

Isolation as a Gateway

Isolation as a Gateway In Stave 2 through the Ghost of Christmas Past, Dickens shows us how a misanthropic person like Scrooge is made. The reader is taken to see Scrooge in his schoolboy days as Scrooge witnesses “A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.” Through this the reader is shown that since his childhood Scrooge was “neglected”. This clearly had a big impact on him as he “sobbed” and “wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be.” The emotive language gives the reader a chance to see Scrooge in a vulnerable state and see the major impact that loneliness has had on Scrooge.

While at the start the narrator tries to paint Scrooge as unfeeling saying that “External heat and cold had little influence on him”. This is the first instance which shows that Scrooge does have feelings, it also foreshadows more changes. While in his younger school boy days he did not necessarily isolate himself, later into his young adulthood the reader sees that his isolation is caused by greed. His fiancée at the time Belle says that an “idol” has displaced her a “golden one”, this means that his needs for money has become a priority instead of nurturing the relationships he has in his life.

● Belle says that she hopes he “happy in the life you have chosen!”, this is the moment in which Scrooge finally chose money and greed over everything else. Through these scenes Dickens intends to show the readers how choosing greed can lead to isolation.

Capitalism

It can also be argued that Dickens is trying to show the isolation which capitalism can cause. In Stave 1 when the portly gentlemen arrive looking for money for charity Scrooge says that “It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s.” This reflects the capitalist ideology which Dickens was highly critical of, instead he believed in charity and helping those in need. This capitalist ideology leads to isolation as it means that people should only focus on themselves and not take interest in others. Scrooge’s choice of words is also very interesting here as he uses the word “business” to talk of a person’s life. This suggests that Scrooge’s life was business he is noted as an “excellent man of business”, the focal point of Scrooge’s life was money and greed it is what motivated him and why he was never satisfied.

Question 65

How is theme of Wealth and Materialism explored in a Christmas Carol?

Answer 65

Materialism is defined as ‘the preference of material things and physical comfort over spiritual values’. It is a concept which Dickens presents as wrong within the text. He explores the idea of wealth in greater depth and portrays it as having both positive and negative effects within the novella.

Stave Two is central to Dickens’ message as Scrooge points out the paradoxical nature of wealth. He describes it as “the even-handed dealing of the world”. He continues by asserting that there is nothing on earth as “hard as poverty” but the “pursuit of wealth” is one of the things people “condemn” the most. This belief is used by Scrooge to justify his actions; however,

Dickens may have included this perceptive observation to comment on the attitudes towards wealth in Victorian society. Dickens ultimately shows the reader that wealth is not exclusively amoral as in some areas of the novella it is presented in a positive light.

Materialism as wrong

When Marley’s Ghost appears before Scrooge in the opening stave he insults him by calling him a “man of the worldly mind”. This could be interpreted as alluding to Scrooge’s materialistic attitude, a significant reference as it occurs in the first stave. This is interesting as it highlights that Dickens wanted to establish materialism as wrong from the very offset of the novella.

Dickens furthers this through the revelation that the other spirits in purgatory had a “misery within them” because they wanted to “interfere, for good, in human matters” but had “lost the power forever.’’ Here, Dickens highlights that material things and physical comfort are unimportant, challenging the concept of materialism. Instead, he presents the idea that spiritual values, such as helping those around you, are more essential and beneficial from both a moral and religious standpoint.

This viewpoint is reinforced in Stave Three when the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to Fred’s Christmas party. Fred observes that Scrooge’s materialistic pursuits of wealth are of “no use to him” as he doesn’t “do any good with it (his money)”. Here Dickens outlines that as materialism doesn’t benefit anyone, it is purposeless and should be abandoned, solidifying its portrayal as a worthless concept within the novella.

Negative Presentation of Wealth

In addition to his negative portrayal of materialism, Dickens uses Marley’s character to highlight the unfavourable effects of wealth. When Marley’s Ghost appears, Dickens writes that he was tied in chains. He details that they were made of “cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers (a book of financial accounts), deeds (a legal document for property), and heavy purses”. This semantic field (a group of words with similar meanings) of money highlights how it is Marley’s misuse of wealth which has caused him to become trapped in purgatory. Through this Dickens presents a didactic (moral) lesson for readers, perhaps causing them to understand that wealth can cause the downfall of a person if it is not used properly.

This idea is furthered by the breakdown of the relationship between Scrooge and Belle. Belle tells Scrooge that she is leaving him due to his “eager” and “greedy” attitude towards money. She recognises that he no longer has any noble “aspirations” as “gain” is what “engrosses” him. This highlights that the deterioration of their relationship is a direct consequence of Scrooge’s fixation with wealth.

Positive Presentation of Wealth

Fezziwig, Scrooge’s employer when he was young, is presented as a character who used money in a praiseworthy and exemplary way. Therefore, it could be argued that Dickens uses his character to act as an example to readers, presenting the idea that it is indeed possible to be both wealthy and moral.

• Scrooge recognises that Fezziwig uses his money to make people “happy”. He ensures that the working conditions in the warehouse instil a sense of “pleasure” in his employees. Consequently, Scrooge acknowledges that it is not the amount of money a person has which is important but the happiness that they can create because of it.

In the final stave, Scrooge also uses his money to benefit those around him. He makes a donation to the charity collector from Stave One and sends a turkey to Bob Cratchit’s house for Christmas dinner. Following these altruistic (selfless) actions, the narrator repeatedly uses the word “good” to describe his character. This shows how Scrooge has been able to use his wealth to become a better person. The Narrator reinforces this by revealing that his “own heart laughed” suggesting that he is content and happy. This ultimately presents the idea that wealth can be used to honour spiritual values in order to develop into a better person.

Question 66

How is the Theme of morality explored in a Christmas Carol?

Answer 66

‘A Christmas Carol’ is a didactic novel with many moral messages. The novel gives Dickens a platform to voice his socialist ideas and to also show the immorality in Victorian society.

Dickens was incredibly critical of the laws during created about the poor, in fact he had lost all hope in democracy. Policies such as the Poor Law 1834 which created union workhouses which were cruel unforgiving places which Dickens believed to be completely unethical.

Dickens shows the importance of morality in our daily lives. In the Victorian era morality and philanthropy were linked and many believed that it was a moral duty to contribute to charity, especially as Christians. Contrastingly others believed that charity actually made poverty worse (read more about this is ‘Poverty and Charity’ Context Notes), it is possible that some even believed that they did not have enough money to give.

Through Scrooge’s change, Dickens illustrates that philanthropy (which became very popular in the Victorian era) did not have to be grand wealthy displays. Instead Dickens shows that being good and being charitable is about a change in behaviour, being a good person does not mean just giving money away, instead it’s about the way you act.

• In Stave 5 where the results of Scrooge’s transformation is seen, Scrooge is more giving and charitable as he speaks to Bob Cratchit saying “I am about to raise your salary”. This is of course a dramatic change from a man who was once “tight-fisted”.
• However, it can be argued that the biggest change is his attitude as he is filled with the Christmas Spirit and becomes a “good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man”.
• Through Scrooge’s change Dickens shows the steps to being a morally good person.

Context

Many pieces of literature in the Victorian era had a dual nature; their purpose was to entertain but also to inform readers or act as a tool for social conformity. Many of the moral ideologies of the era were heavily influenced by the Bible and Christian doctrines. Dickens was a Christian and we can see some of these views present in the novel.

• Scrooge is described as “covetous old sinner”. Covetousness is a sin and Exodus 20:17 mentions it as one of the ten commandments.
• While Dickens was a Christian he had also beliefs which did not necessarily align with the Bible. For example Dickens did not believe that Christainity and salvation was the only way to change, he believed change was possible through a person’s own self awareness.

Through the novel Dickens expresses many of his beliefs about religion, and how sometimes it is not necessarily authentic and moral but it is instead is overly concerned with outward appearances. Many believed that being a Christian was enough to live a moral life but Dickens was critical of this, believing that being a good person was less about going to church every Sunday but more about finding opportunities to do good deeds.

● This belief is echoed in Stave 3 by The Ghost of Christmas Present when he states that “There are some upon this earth of yours […] 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.”
○ Scrooge believed that the Ghost was God, or at least related to God, and so the Ghost is essentially saying that although some people may call themselves Christians claiming that they know God but instead the way they actually act is contradictory to what “what they lay claim to”. The listing of the sins builds on each other creating an overwhelming effect on the reader. Through the voice of the Ghost Dickens hints that Christianity does not necessarily mean morality.

Consequences

Marley’s Ghost - Dickens shows the eternal consequences of living an immoral life through Marley’s Ghost. These consequences are grounded in Christian doctrine.

• Marley’s Ghost has been trapped in purgatory. He explains how if a “spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death” and because of his actions during his life he is “doomed to wander the earth”.
• The “phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went”. The fact that the moans of the phantoms are audible suggests the depth of their suffering, it can be argued that it even humanises them, the way in which another sense confirms what Scrooge is seeing with his eyes verifies the experience.
• Marley’s ghost is a realisation of the Christian ideology that if you live immorally in life you will be eternally damned. Victorian society was incredibly religious and so Marley’s fate would have resonated with many of the Victorian readers. Old Marley’s Ghost is a deterrent not just for Scrooge but towards the reader, it confirms beliefs or even fears which they may already have.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come - This Ghost shows Scrooge the effects of his death instead of people mourning people feel relief and joy because of it.

The three thieves - Dickens illustrates to the reader a cycle of immorality through the three thieves who come to profit off of Scrooge’s effects. His wicked and cruel behaviour in life has left the same legacy after his death and, because of this, others such as the thieves belief it is justice for them to mimic that same behaviour.

• Mrs Dilber argues that “Every person has a right to take care of themselves” because “(Scrooge) always did.”; therefore what they are doing which is stealing from a dead man is not unethical or immoral but instead is just “a judgment on him”. The short 3 word sentence “He always did” expresses a stark truth, a simple fact. “He” is also italicised which put an emphasis on Scrooge, depicting him as the focus and showing that all which is happening to him after death is on him Scrooge bears the weight of it all.
• Through this Dickens tries to exhibit to the audience the consequences of bad behaviour and shows the reader how immorality bleeds immorality; it is everyone’s duty to live a moral life not just for their own sake and their legacy but also for the sake of others.

Question 67

How is the Theme of Poverty and Social Justice explored in a Christmas Carol?

Answer 67

The thematic focus on poverty and social injustice underpins the novella. This theme is introduced from the very offset of ‘A Christmas Carol’ through the charity collectors, who come to visit Scrooge. They immediately make the readers aware of the “poor and destitute” in society who are suffering “greatly”, setting the tone for the remainder of the novella. Dickens is widely accepted to be an author who had a strong social commitment which translated into his work. He believed in the use of literature to convey ethical and political statements and so it is unsurprising that these undertones exist within the text.

The most prominent way in which Dickens conveys this theme is through the exploration of his characters, perhaps as this is a technique which is both practical and emotive. This is because characters can act as an example for readers to emulate or be warned against, while also acting as a source of sympathy or distaste. Ultimately, this allows readers to become more receptive to Dickens’ message and learn from his characters, provoking internal change.

Social Responsibility and Scrooge’s Transformation

Initially, Scrooge is used by Dickens to represent the selfish attitude of the upper class within Victorian society. This is made apparent when he argues with the charity collectors in Stave One as he refers to the poor as “the surplus population”. This Malthusian assertion (see ‘Context: Poverty and Charity’) appears after the unsympathetic description of Scrooge’s character. This highlights Dickens’ disapproval of this widespread viewpoint from the opening of the text.

As the novella progresses Scrooge begins to transform. Following his redemption in the final stave his attitudes towards social injustice have also changed. This highlights the idea that being socially conscious is the ideal, as this is a quality which is present in Scrooge after his redemption.

Dickens presents the impact that social responsibility can have in a hyperbolic (exaggerated) fashion. He achieves this through the fate of Tiny Tim, who would have died if it were not for Scrooge’s financial support and intervention. Through this, Dickens makes it clear that social responsibility is an essential component to society, and should be practiced for the wider benefit of all those in the community.

Setting

Dickens uses the setting to highlight two different aspects of poverty and social injustice which act alongside each other to present a greater social commentary

• London is described to be filled with “fog and darkness”, covered in “misanthropic ice”. By personifying the ice, describing it as “misanthropic” (which means ‘to dislike other people’), Dickens uses the setting to reflect the attitudes of the inhabitants of London as well as the gloomy atmosphere.
• He moves on to describe an “obscure” area of the city as “wretched” and filled with “filth” and “dirt”. This reflects how the Industrial Revolution brought about economic and environmental problems (see ‘Context: The Industrial Revolution’), causing overcrowding and smog.

Descriptions of the setting are used to expose the harsh realities of poverty in Dickensian London. In addition to this, Dickens uses the setting to dispel negative and widespread stereotypes surrounding the impoverished in society. Despite the terrible conditions of London, the people created an “air of cheerfulness” and “laughed heartily” as they went about their day. This establishes the idea that regardless of the amount of money they have, the lower classes are still happy and amicable which challenges prejudices against the poor. In this way, Dickens presents the idea that there are challenges that the poor face which need to be dealt with but those in poverty should not be discriminated against. This is an approach which holistically addresses poverty in Victorian society (takes into account all the factors which contribute to the problem).

Question 68

How does Dickens use Characterisations to explore the themes of poverty and social justice?

Answer 68

There are three main characters that Dickens uses to present ideas of social injustice and poverty alongside the protagonist:

Ignorance and Want
These two children link closely to the idea of social responsibility, as the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals that “they are Man’s”. This presents the idea that mankind needs to collectively take responsibility for them. It could certainly be argued that their existence ties in closely with the abandonment of the poor in society.
○ The children may be representative of the ‘ignorance’ that many of the upper class had towards the plight of the poor. Additionally, the idea of ‘want’ may represent the selfishness that they display and their uncharitable attitudes.
○ Dickens heightens the effect that this has by detailing that both ‘Ignorance’ and ‘Want’ are children. This is likely to provoke a powerful response from readers due to the subverted descriptions and protective instinct that readers are likely to feel towards them.

Old Joe
Dickens uses Old Joe and the three thieves to expose the harsh realities of poverty in Victorian society. Both the people and the environment are described www.pmt.education negatively (see ‘Character Profile: The Charwoman, Laundress and Undertaker’s man) which suggests that poverty has far-reaching and extensive effects.

○ Dickens presents the idea that poverty breeds crime and so reminds the reader that their actions have wider societal impacts - instilling a sense of social responsibility.
○ Furthermore, Dickens challenges Scrooge’s Malthusian attitude, as this is what causes the isolation in his death. This is outlined by the charwoman’s assertion that he should have been “natural in his lifetime”. Ultimately, this characterises ‘A Christmas Carol’ as an Anti-Malthusian novella.

**Bob Cratchit and Scrooge** 
The dynamic between Bob Cratchit and Scrooge is perhaps a metaphor for class relations. In the opening stave Bob works in fear of Scrooge; he is helpless to even “replenish” the coal for his fire despite it being “very much smaller” than Scrooge’s. This may be symbolic of how the rich dominate the lower class. However, following Scrooge’s transformation, he becomes more socially conscious, raising Bob’s salary and trying to “assist” his “struggling family”. This acts as a perfect example of social responsibility, explaining to readers how they should aim to act within society.

The Cratchit Family
Furthermore, Dickens provides an insight into the lives of those living in poverty when Mrs Cratchit shares her anxieties about Christmas dinner. She worries that someone might have “got over the wall of the back-yard and stolen it”. While this may appear to be a criticism of the poor, it is entirely more plausible to argue that Dickens is simply highlighting the realities of poverty in Victorian society. He portrays the lengths that people are forced to go to in order to feed themselves and their families, contributing to the idea that poverty breeds crime. Through this, he is once again able to present the idea that poverty is an issue which causes multiple different problems and so should be prioritised and dealt with.

Question 69

How does Dickens explore the theme of Redemption and Change?

Answer 69

The concept of redemption is defined as ‘being saved from error or sin’, a theme which appears as a strong undertone throughout the novella. This is inevitable as ‘A Christmas Carol’ follows the journey of Scrooge’s redemption, so the theme is prominent and interwoven within the structural patterning of the text.

The hope of Scrooge’s transformation is used by Dickens to create and build tension throughout the novella as the reader anticipates whether he will ultimately be redeemed. This effect is heightened through Dickens’ characterisation of Scrooge. He is initially presented as a “covetous old sinner” who is unchanging and “hard and sharp as flint”. This makes it difficult for readers to believe that he will be redeemed so increases the suspense within the novella.

In addition to this, Dickens explores strong emotions during Scrooge’s time with the Spirits such as regret, sadness and fear. Through each supernatural experience Scrooge’s emotions build and intensify until they reach a crescendo in the final stave where the reader is able to witness Scrooge’s transformation. In this way, it could be argued that this theme is vital to Dickens’ dramatic plotting.

Dickens also increases the dramatic tension through his use of foreshadowing.
● In the opening of the novella, he describes Scrooge to be as “solitary as an oyster”. This is significant as oysters are animals which often contain pearls, suggesting to the reader that Scrooge too has a treasure inside which simply needs to be uncovered.
● Furthermore, in Stave Two, Fan informs Scrooge that their father “is much kinder than he used to be’’ perhaps to highlight to the reader that Scrooge too will be able to change. In both of these examples, Dickens uses foreshadowing to increase the tension as the reader eagerly anticipates Scrooge’s transformation.

The Importance of Change
The theme of change is instrumental to the novella in several ways. Dickens uses Marley’s ghost to show Scrooge how important it is for Scrooge to change. When Marley appears he reveals that his own change arose too late, as he was only able to see the error of his ways after experiencing purgatory. He realises that “human kind” should have been his “business” and warns Scrooge that if he does not improve, he too will be “doomed”. www.pmt.education Dickens also presents the idea that the concept of ‘change’ is important to readers as part of his wider social commentary. He focuses on the unchanging nature of Scrooge’s character, outlining that even “external heat and cold had little influence on him”. This suggests that he is too stubborn and unchanging to be affected by even the forces of nature. By constructing such a theatrical change, where Scrooge transforms from a “covetous old sinner” into a man who is “quite a baby”, Dickens inspires readers. He is able to give readers motivation to improve themselves; if a man as stubborn and miserly as Scrooge is able to change then they too can transform themselves. This solidifies the didactic and allegorical (moral) purpose of the novella.

Question 70

How does the Theme of Redemption and Change develop?

Answer 70

Dickens foregrounds the theme of redemption through the structure of the text as he creates direct contrasts between the opening and closing staves within the novella:

Charity collectors
In the opening of the novella, Scrooge dismisses everything that the gentlemen have to say to him. He informs them that the suffering of other people in society is not his “business”. However, this attitude is completely contrasted in Stave Five.
○ In the final stave Scrooge runs after the gentleman, “quickening his pace”. This highlights the active nature of his redemption, causing the reader to appreciate the extent of his change. Furthermore, Dickens is perhaps presenting the idea that readers should be more forthcoming in their own redemption, glorifying Scrooge’s behaviour. To build on this, Scrooge informs the gentleman that his donation includes “many back-payments”. This reveals that he is not only improving his behaviour in the present but is also making amends for his past mistakes - portraying his redemption as thorough and complete.

Attitudes to Christmas

● Attitudes to Christmas: When Scrooge discusses Christmas with Fred in the opening stave he tells him that “every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart”. This violently hyperbolic assertion conveys the extreme nature of Scrooge’s aversion towards Christmas. This makes it difficult for readers to envision a transformation.
○ In the final stave, Dickens presents an improved attitude. He reveals, once again in hyperbolic fashion, that “it was always said” that Scrooge “knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge’’. This polarised (divided) presentation of Scrooge’s character displays the substantial change that Scrooge has undergone, as he moves from one extreme to the other.

Temperature and Weather
Dickens uses a plethora of imagery and descriptions in the opening stave to convey the cold and gloomy atmosphere of the setting. He describes the climate as “cold, bleak, biting weather” and goes on to explore the fog which intruded into people’s homes, “pouring in at every chink and keyhole”. This presents the hostile atmosphere as intrusive and uncontrollable, allowing it to dominate the tone of the stave.

○ In the final stave, however, Dickens writes that there was “no fog, no mist” and that the sky was instead “clear, bright, jovial” and filled with “golden sunlight”. This use of pathetic fallacy (using weather to reflect on the mood) dramatically alters the tone of the stave, highlighting Scrooge’s transformation and successful redemption.
○ This is solidified by the idea that it was Scrooge who contributed to the cold temperatures in the opening stave as “the cold within him” was so powerful it had the ability to freeze his “old features”. In the final stave, on the other hand, it is arguably his “glowing” and “fluttered” state of mind which is reflected in the weather, presenting his redemption as absolute.

Narration
The narrative voice in the opening stave is utterly unsympathetic, epitomised by the relentless list of verbs which describe Scrooge as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”.

○The tone of narration dramatically changes by the final stave which reflects on Scrooge’s transformed character. Instead of a disapproving tone, the narrator adopts an increasingly positive and optimistic voice. This allows Scrooge’s change to become more apparent.

○ Stave Five opens with the exclamation “Yes!”, establishing the change in tone from the very offset of the stave. This is followed by descriptions of Scrooge’s “good intentions” and a detailed analysis of his laugh. The narrator outlines that his laugh was a “splendid…most illustrious laugh”, which was the “father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs”. This provides the reader with a sense of hope as it implies that Scrooge’s change is permanent due to the prediction of more laughs. This ultimately creates th

Question 71

How is the Theme of Regret explored in a Christmas Carol?

Answer 71

Regret is instrumental in ‘A Christmas Carol’ as it plays a crucial role in Scrooge’s transformation. The three Ghosts all show Scrooge various past actions which enable him to gain hindsight. Through seeing his actions from the perspective of the Ghosts he is shown his cruel and unforgiving actions in a different light, this allows Scrooge to see the error of his ways and gives him motivation to change.

Regret as a tool

Dickens uses regret as a tool to move the plot along to its final denouement which is Scrooge’s eventual transformation. While regret is a negative emotion, Dickens manages to make it something that is used to initiate a positive transformation.

There are many emotions which are used to push Scrooge to his transformation, regret is a key element to this. The emotion is a thematic tool used to drive the plot line forward, an example of this is when Scrooge is taken to his past fiancée Belle and sees the family that he could have had. Scrooge becomes overwhelmed with emotion screaming “Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!” the short sentences express his anger, frustration and maybe even fear. Due to his emotions he takes action he seizes “the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head. The Spirit dropped beneath it” thus, his emotions lead him to end his time with the Ghost

Question 72

How does the Theme of Regret Develop?

Answer 72

Theme Development Regret is an emotion which is littered throughout the novel as Scrooge has many things in his life which he regrets. Dickens exhibits to the reader through these experiences that while regret may be a powerless emotion, we are able to use it and create actions to change our ways.

● The Ghost of Old Marley - Old Marley demonstrates the extremity of regret as, unlike Scrooge, he is unable to change his ways and is therefore cursed to an eternity of regret. “It is doomed to wander through the world—oh, woe is me!—and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!” Old Marley expresses his regret for his sinful actions in his life. Marley states that there is “no space of regret can make amends for one’s life of opportunity misused” this is to say that life is an opportunity for everyone to do good and when this is not done is leads to regret which is futile unless we use it to fuel our change.

● Fanny - The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his younger self with his little sister Fanny. While Scrooge is happy to see her at first he becomes sad as he reveals that she “died a woman” leaving behind Scrooge’s last surviving relative Fred. When Scrooge remembers the way he treated his nephew earlier Scrooge becomes “uneasy in his mind”, meaning he feels guilty for the way that he talked to him.

● Belle - In Stave 2 The Ghost of Christmas Past communicates to Scrooge the moment where he started to become the man that he is at the start of the Novella. Belle expressed her disapproval of the man that Scrooge is becoming, one who is only concerned with money and wealth.

● The Caroller - As Scrooge reminisces about his childhood years, watching his younger “neglected” self, he begins to feel regret for the way he behaved towards the little boy who came to sing a carol at his door. Scrooge realises that he should have “liked to give him something”. This a big step for Scrooge as he is a man of business and due to this was very “tight-fisted” with his money.

● The Portly Gentlemen - In Stave 5 it is evident that Scrooge regretted his interaction with the Portly Gentleman as “It sent a pang across his heart to think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met”.

● A Christmas present Ignorance and Want - “Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.” The verb “overcome” typifies the wave of emotion that has come upon Scrooge as he is able to see his words from another perspective and he is ashamed of them.

● Ghost of yet to come - This is the climax of Scrooge’s regret where it all comes together and Scrooge acknowledges his mistakes and finally commits to making a change. Scrooge regrets the way he lived his life pleading and asking the Phantom how he “may sponge away the writing on this stone!”, this is the last remark before the Phantom disappears. The exclamation mark in the sentence reflects the conviction which Scrooge, which is why finally after this statement the work of the Ghosts are done.

Question 73

How does the Theme of Religon and Christmas explored in a Christmas Carol?

Answer 73

The theme of religion is one which inspires great debate. This is because some people interpret the novella to hold anti-religious sentiment while others believe Dickens presents a narrative in support of religious ideas. Therefore, it is important to consider your own opinions and interpretations when writing essays.

The middle-ground is the belief that Dickens is in support of religious values in isolation but doesn’t think that religion is being practiced properly in society. Hence, he presents religious ideals in the text but still criticises some aspects of the way religion is observed. This is seen through the fact that he does idealise values such as being charitable and going to church.

However, he still challenges religious hypocrisy during Stave Three, when the Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge that people “claim to know” religion but do things out of “passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry and selfishness” in its name. This was specifically in reference to the practice of closing shops on Sundays (Sabbatarianism) as this prevents the lower class from enjoying the brief time they have off work (see ‘Context: Religion and Christmas’). Although, it could be argued that this also applies to the wider practice of religion in society and so acts as a social commentary.

The title ‘A Christmas Carol’

The theme of Christmas is evidently central to the text due to the title and it being both set and published during the festive time. A ‘carol’ is a piece of music sung in church and is often associated with uniting people regardless of their social status. There are multiple interpretations of what Dickens was aiming to suggest with the title.

● Some may argue that he intended to hold the church accountable for failing to unite society. This is because he ironically highlights the substantial divisions between social classes in Victorian society.
● Others believe that Dickens endeavoured to produce a novella which would guide readers on how to celebrate Christmas in a manner which would unite society in a similar way to traditional Christmas carols. This is a secure viewpoint as it is widely accepted that Dickens attributed and popularised an emotional element to the festive time which was not apparent prior to the publication of ‘A Christmas Carol’.
○ This is supported by Professor Les Standiford, author of ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas, who said that “The publication of A Christmas Carol added an emotional component to Christmas and changed it”.

Question 74

How does Scrooge get a religious redemption?

Answer 74

A Religious Redemption It is interesting to note that Scrooge’s redemption, which is fundamental to the text, is inherently religious in its nature. Firstly, when Marley’s Ghost appears in the opening stave, he informs Scrooge of the “incessant torture” he is facing in the afterlife. Dickens reveals that he is in some form of purgatory as he “cannot rest” nor “stay” nor “linger anywhere”. According to Christian belief, purgatory is an intermediate state following death where people who have done wrong are punished for their actions in order to be purified. This introduces ideas of judgement and accountability, which adds a religious weight and ultimatum to Scrooge’s need to change. As a result, the theme amplifies the dramatic effect of the novella by increasing the build-up of tension.

When Scrooge discusses Sabbatarianism with the Ghost of Christmas Present he claims that it is observed in the Spirit’s “name” or “at least” in the name of its “family”. This makes it clear that Scrooge views the Spirits as godlike figures, introducing the idea of divine intervention. Dickens presents this as a beneficial concept as it has the ability to inspire positive change, as seen through the effect the Spirits have on Scrooge’s transformation. This may perhaps be an effort to prompt readers to attend church or engage with religion, as this is the only method through which they too can access a sense of divine intervention. This suggestion is supported by the fact that Scrooge “went to church” following his redemption, implying that his attendance is a virtuous action which Dickens encourages.

Finally, it is also significant that Scrooge’s redemption is centred around religious ideals. For example, one of the defining aspects of Scrooge’s transformation is the change in his attitude towards money. He begins the novella as a miserly man who embodies the Malthusian attitude towards the poor. Following his transformation, however, he exhibits charitable yet modest traits. This is exemplified through his behaviour with the charity collectors (see Redemption: Charity Collectors above). Ultimately, this implies that Dickens draws inspiration from religious ideals to define ‘goodness’ within the novella. It could, therefore, be argued that he presents the idea that religion and virtue are synonymous

Question 75

How is the theme of Supernatural explored in a christmas carol?

Answer 75

During the Victorian era, the Gothic genre began to permeate literature. This encompassed supernatural themes which were particularly popular at the time. It is often said that the Victorian era was a ‘golden age’ for these gothic and supernatural motifs, a trend which Dickens avidly explored. This is seen by the words of John Forster, both his close friend and biographer. In his book ‘The Life of Charles Dickens’, he writes that Dickens had a “hankering” for the supernatural. This means that he was curious about the subject, perhaps explaining why he included it within his work.

Dickens branded ‘A Christmas Carol’ as a ghost story, perhaps because it was a popular tradition to read ghost stories during the festive time. The supernatural is a key theme in the novella as it provides a logical structure to the plot. This is achieved by the three Ghosts who ultimately enable Scrooge to change. It could therefore be said that Dickens uses the Ghosts as catalysts to Scrooge’s transformation. The Ghosts also serve to heighten the dramatic effect of the novella. This effective because they introduce a greater consequence to Scrooge’s actions, increasing the importance and urgency of his redemption.

While the Ghosts are considered to be the most explicit representation of the supernatural within the novella, Dickens includes other, more implicit, ideas surrounding this theme. For example, Scrooge’s character could be described as somewhat supernatural because he is only presented as one of two extremes. Dickens presents no middle-ground for Scrooge, characterising him to be either as “hard and sharp as flint” or “as light as a feather”. This emphasises Scrooge’s transformation while also acknowledging his supernatural qualities. Dickens may have chosen to present him in this way to convey the idea that if it is possible for Scrooge to change then it is also feasible for his readers.

The Church

The beliefs and authority of The Church greatly influenced public perception of the supernatural. The theme is split into two different categories: ideas which follow the teachings of The Bible (these were permitted) or ideas which contradict the Word of God (these were labelled as sinful).

The idea of purgatory (the Christian belief of an intermediate state following death) plays a prominent role within the novella. It is a concept which Dickens recognises in Stave One www.pmt.education when Scrooge sees the air “filled with phantoms”. Crucially, Dickens adheres to the biblical teachings surrounding this idea, allowing him to publish the novella without controversy.

By using religious doctrines (beliefs) Dickens creates a believable narrative, particularly to religious Victorians. As a result, they were more inclined to believe in and respect the authority of the Spirits, heightening the impact of the novella. Readers who are not particularly religious are required to ‘willingly suspend disbelief’ which means to put aside their criticisms and enjoy unbelievable aspects of the novella for the sake of enjoyment.

Question 76

What are Explicit forms of the Supernatural?

Answer 76

The most obvious presentations of the supernatural are the Ghosts which appear to Scrooge. They can be regarded as structural tools to help drive forward the plot. However, it is important to avoid simply dismissing them as ‘plot devices’. This is because they play a greater role than this as they are used by Dickens to teach the reader lessons and symbolise key ideas within the narrative. Each of the Ghosts can be considered a personification of what they are supposed to represent:

● The Ghost of Christmas Past: This spirits is used to show both Scrooge and the reader the actions which have led up to Scrooge becoming the man he is. Dickens presents the Ghost to be a personification of the past, which is reflected in his appearance.
○ Dickens describes the Ghost to be “like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man”. It could be argued that the true supernatural quality of the Phantom is its effortlessly paradoxical nature. To be an “old man” but also a “child” is only possible through “some supernatural medium” which the narrator freely admits.
○ The Spirit is also presented to have a certain quality of innocence. Dickens details that he wore a tunic of the “purest white” which is heightened by the “bright clear jet of light” that the Spirit emits. This could be symbolic of the truth which is found in Scrooge’s memories.

● The Ghost of Christmas Present: This Phantom resembles ‘Father Christmas’ which was an image prevalent in the nineteenth century and was used to represent a festive spirit. He is described to be a “jolly giant” who sits on a “throne”. Here Dickens uses size to increase the Ghost’s impact and present him as a dominating force.
○ Dickens characterises the Spirit as God-like which is highlighted through Scrooge’s perception of him. He believes that the apparition is related to God in some way, claiming that blue laws (policies prohibiting leisure on Sundays) are observed the name of his “family”.
○ However, the Spirit’s true supernatural property is not his religious significance but his ability to spread joy. Dickens reveals that the Ghost “sprinkled incense” on the food that people were eating, causing their www.pmt.education “humours” to be “restored directly”. Incense were used to amend disagreements, an interesting choice as this was available to Dickens’ readers. By choosing such an accessible method for a supernatural being, Dickens emphasises that readers too should endeavour to spread joy and Christmas Spirit .

● The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: The last spectre to arrive is described not as Ghost but as a “phantom”. ○ Dickens draws parallels between the ghost and the Grim Reaper who is a personification of death. He outlines that it wears a “ deep black garment which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing visible except one outstretched hand”. The reaper is a well-known symbol of death and so by likening the two characters Dickens establishes a sense of doom through the spirit. This heightens the tensions before the climax of the novel, adding gravity to the situation that Scrooge is in.

● Ignorance and Want: The children are described as “wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable”, perhaps to symbolise the disease of Ignorance and Want in society. It is interesting to note that while these are supernatural beings they are grounded in reality. This is because the effects that they have on society are very real and could cause disastrous consequences if they are not addressed (see ‘Poverty and Social Injustice’ above).

● Marley’s Ghost: The narrator repeatedly emphasises the fact that “Marley was dead”, perhaps to heighten the effect of the appearance of his Ghost. Marley’s Ghost is described as being chained with “cashboxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers”. This is significant as the things that Marley created in his life become the things which keep him trapped in the afterlife. This has a didactic purpose as Dickens is trying to illustrate to the reader, through supernatural means, that the way they live their lives dictates their eternal resting place.

Question 77

What are the implicit forms of the supernatural and how does the theme develop?

Answer 77

Dickens also presents more implicit explorations of the theme which are highlighted through the characters below:

● Scrooge: There are implicit forms of the supernatural in the way that the characters are described. In Scrooge’s introductory description, the metaphors and similes that are used to define him have a supernatural undertone. The narrator says that “No warmth could warm him, no wintery weather chill him”. The use of alliteration here encapsulates the extent of Scrooge’s apathy, suggesting there is something almost superhuman about him. This is furthered by the fact that “even the blidmen’s dogs appeared to know him”. This suggests yet another supernatural property within Scrooge, as he goes beyond being simply unsociable. www.pmt.education

● Fred: Fred’s goodness can be seen as supernatural as he is unchanging. Dickens uses lots of imagery of light to describe Fred. ○ He arrives at Scrooge’s counting-house “all in a glow”, an interesting description as the light that surrounds him is suggestive of his goodness and the Christmas spirit within him. ○ Dickens also writes that his “eyes sparkled”. This mirrors the Ghost of Christmas Present who has a “sparking eye”, perhaps to symbolise Christmas Spirit and the positive light that comes from it. ○ This can also be seen as a Biblical allusion (reference) as in John 8:12 Jesus says that he is “the light of the world”. The fact that the Ghost and Fred have a sparkle suggests that they are of similar nature, attributing a supernatural quality to Fred.

● Tiny Tim: The little boy is filled with an almost supernatural spirit. This is highlighted when the narrator asserts that Tiny Tim’s “childish essence was from God”. This is interesting as it could be said that a child-like spirit is the foundation of Christmas Spirit.

○ Dickens reinforces this through the character of Scrooge. In the final stave, when Scrooge is filled with Christmas spirit, he says that he is “as merry as a school-boy”. Here the childish essence that fills Scrooge is something which Dickens encourages the reader to adopt. ○ This same instruction aligns with Biblical words as Jesus says in Matthew 18:3 that people must be “like a child” to inherit the kingdom of God.

Theme Development
Ideas surrounding the supernatural develop as the novella progresses. This is because with each supernatural experience Scrooge is learning more about himself and hence grows closer towards his redemption. Structurally, this means that each stave becomes more intense until the climax is reached, causing each supernatural experience to be more dramatic than the last. The first explicit form of the supernatural is seen when Scrooge’s door-knocker transforms into “Marley’s face”. This is a more conventional appearance from the supernatural as it aims to instil feelings of “horror” within Scrooge – highlighted when the narrator reveals he felt a “terrible sensation”. As Scrooge continues on his journey however, his experiences with the supernatural become more meaningful, teaching him how to amend his ways. Dickens ends with the climactic moment of Scrooge witnessing a “neglected grave of his own name”. This transcends Scrooge’s character as it encompasses, in a powerful and emotional stave, the ultimate message of the novella. It reveals to readers why change is so necessary, reminding them of their own mortality

Question 78

Summarise the Ghost of Christmas Past

Answer 78

Character Summary
The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first of the three Spirits which appear to Scrooge. The Ghost takes him to observe various scenes from his past, which allows the reader to empathise with Scrooge. This is because Dickens often adopts a sympathetic tone during the stave, causing the reader to understand how Scrooge’s past has shaped his character in the present.

Furthermore, Dickens illustrates that Scrooge is capable of change, as he did not always display a misanthropic attitude. This gives the reader the hope that Scrooge can return back to his previous mindset. Dickens alludes to his transformation by revealing that the Spirit’s visit has a “softening influence” on Scrooge, driving the narrative forward towards his redemption.

Appearance
Dickens emphasises the status of the Spirit through its appearance and mannerisms. It wears a tunic “of purest white” which emphasises its purity and innocence. This gives the Spirit an impression of moral authority which highlights its didactic purpose within the text. The white tunic also alludes to the biblical image of Jesus who wears white and acts as a moral compass for Christians, transmitting the Christian message of goodness to humanity. The Spirit acts as a reassuring force for Scrooge as its voice was “soft and gentle”. Its gentle description and calm demeanour contrasts to the suffering of Marley, the first Ghost the reader is introduced to.

It is also interesting to note that Dickens describes the Ghost using contradictions, detailing that it looked “like a child” but also “like an old man”. He continues with juxtaposing ideas – the Ghost holds “fresh green holly”, a symbol of winter, but has a dress trimmed with “summer flowers”. These paradoxical descriptions illustrate the impossibility of the Spirits existence, emphasising the supernatural theme. Alternatively, it could be argued that the Spirit encompasses all of Scrooge’s past, from his youth to his old age, and so this is reflected in its appearance.

In addition, the “bright clear jet of light” that the Spirit emits develops the motif of light which runs throughout the text. Here, it symbolises enlightenment and Christmas spirit. This ultimately presents the Ghost as a positive and comforting influence, despite the fact that a reader might expect the Spirits to be sinister due to the gothic genre

Purpose

It can certainly be argued that the role of the Ghost is to guide Scrooge towards his redemption by choosing to take him to significant and provocative moments from his past. Dickens writes that the Spirit “waved its hand” while it said “Let us see another Christmas”, suggesting that it is indeed in control of the events Scrooge witnesses and holds a God-like power.

The Spirit prompts Scrooge to reflect on his actions by using deliberately leading comments. For example, after Fezziwig’s party, it mocks Scrooge’s delight, calling the party “a small matter…to make these silly folks so full of gratitude”. This portrays the Spirit as wise, because it is evident that this comment was used to make Scrooge realise the error of his ways. Ultimately, this causes Scrooge to reflect on his actions, pushing him towards his eventual redemption.

Power Dynamic

It is interesting to note that Dickens explores the power dynamic between Scrooge and the three Spirits – presenting an evolution of this relationship as the novella progresses.

● Scrooge begins by challenging the authority of the Ghost of Christmas Past. He questions “what business” brought the Spirit to him and continues this defiance by claiming that “a night of unbroken rest” would have been more beneficial for him.

● When the Spirit takes him to see Belle, Scrooge becomes pained, commanding the Spirit to “Show (him) no more!”. The Spirit retains its power however as Dickens writes that “the relentless Ghost pinioned him in both his arms and forced him to observe what happened next”.

● This tension builds until the end of the stave, where Scrooge releases his frustrations in a physical struggle with the Spirit. Although, Dickens interrupts the narrative with the narrators voice, who wonders “if that can be called a struggle” because the Ghost showed “no visible resistance”. This firmly places the Ghost in a powerful position above Scrooge, despite his efforts to challenge its authority.

● During the struggle, Scrooge attempts to put out the light that the Spirit emitted, perhaps because he was unable to handle the truth and hope that it symbolised. This implies that while Scrooge has begun to change, his journey is far from complete. Furthermore, Dickens reveals that Scrooge “could not hide the light”, emphasising the power of reflection and self-discovery.

Key Quotes

● “fell upon the heart of Scrooge with a softening influence, and gave a freer passage to his tears”
This illustrates to the reader that Scrooge’s past had a significant impact on him, emphasising the importance of reflection. The phrase “a freer passage to his tears” implies that his tears were previously stopped from flowing. It can be speculated that due to a lack of reflection Scrooge was experiencing an emotional block of sorts. Perhaps this contributed to his miserly and apathetic personality, presenting the idea that if Scrooge had reflected on his past he may have been a very different individual.

Question 79

Summarise the Ghost of Christmas Present

Answer 79

The Ghost of Christmas Present is often seen as the personification of Christmas spirit, a representation which is furthered by the scenes he chooses to show Scrooge. The Spirit takes Scrooge to see the different ways Christmas is celebrated, from the humble Cratchit celebration to the lively party at Fred’s house. It can therefore be said that the Spirit’s purpose is to highlight the importance of Christmas spirit to Scrooge. This is illustrated when Dickens uses the rule of three to describe the Spirit, outlining that it had a “kind, generous, hearty nature”. Here, Dickens explores the values that are central to the idea of Christmas spirit, emphasising the moral and positive aspects in addition to religious themes.

It is interesting to note that Scrooge makes a connection between the Spirit and God, claiming that ‘blue laws’ were observed in the Spirit’s “name, or at least in that of (its) family” (see Context: Religion and Christmas’). This presents the Spirit as having the same moral authority as the Ghost of Christmas Past, highlighting its own didactic purpose.

Appearance

The Spirit is described as a “jolly Giant” who was wearing a “green robe” and had a “holly wreath” on its head, drawing on traditional ideas of Father Christmas. This furthers the idea that the Ghost is meant to represent the Christmas spirit.

Dickens develops this concept of Christmas by using a semantic field of generosity, describing the Spirit’s hair to be as “free as its genial face” and continuing by describing its “open hand” and “unconstrained demeanour”. These adjectives directly contrast the list Dickens uses in the opening stave where he describes Scrooge as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner”. This highlights how generosity is a key part of Christmas spirit, implying that Scrooge needs to develop this trait in order to fully reform.

It is also interesting to note that Dickens gives the Spirit a “glowing torch” which was “not unlike Plenty’s horn”. This continues the motif of light that was also illustrated by the Ghost of Christmas Past, presenting light as symbolic of positivity and Christmas spirit. Furthermore, “Plenty’s horn”, also referred to as ‘cornucopia’, is a symbol of abundance in Greek and Roman mythology.

Dickens describes the Ghost as carrying an “antique scabbard” which had “no sword in it” and was “eaten up with rust”, suggesting it had not been used for a long time. This is significant as it shows the reader that there is no place for conflict during the festive time, instead appearing as a symbol of peace. The fact that the scabbard is present but empty suggests that while conflict may have existed it should be removed and forgotten. This ultimately presents Christmas as a time for love and happiness, a message that the Spirit foregrounds during his time with Scrooge.

Purpose

The Ghost of Christmas Present is arguably used as a mouthpiece for Dickens’ views on social reform as this is a theme which is heavily explored during the stave. Therefore, while its purpose with regards to the plot is to guide Scrooge towards his redemption, it transcends this role in order to present a social commentary to readers.

The Spirit is introduced to the reader as sitting on a “kind of throne” made of an excessive amount of food. This immediately acts as a challenge to the Malthusian view that there are not enough resources available to go around, instead highlighting that there is an abundance of supplies. The Spirit is therefore presented as aware of social issues – a portrayal which continues throughout the stave.

This is most notably seen when Scrooge questions the Spirit about the fate of Tiny Tim, to which the Ghost replies by mocking Scrooge’s words about the “surplus population”. He continues with a lengthy and somewhat vexed discourse about social injustice, challenging Scrooge on why he believed he had the authority to “decide what men shall live” and “what men shall die”. It could be argued that Dickens’ own frustration towards this attitude is revealed through the Spirit’s speech, perhaps suggesting that his exasperation is also directed at readers. Therefore, it could be said that Dickens uses the Spirit as a tool to convey his own ideas about social reform.

This is reinforced by the two children, Ignorance and Want, who appear under the Spirit’s robe. The Spirit’s tone becomes more “sorrowful” highlighting his distress at their presence. This is furthered when he laments “Oh Man! Look here. Look, look down here”. Dickens uses vocative diacope (a type of repetition where a word is repeated for emphasis) to develop his despair. This heightens the issue of poverty in society, presenting it as a pressing concern which readers shouldn’t ignore, ultimately prompting them to actively take part in social reform.

Power Dynamic

● Scrooge moves away from his defiant attitude with the Ghost of Christmas Past. His relationship with the Ghost of Christmas Present takes on an entirely different dynamic, highlighting that he has started to change.

● When the Spirit first appears, he tells Scrooge to come into the room. Dickens writes that Scrooge “obeyed”, highlighting his strangely submissive attitude.

● This is made more apparent by the Ghost’s dominating behaviour. The first phrase he uses is the imperative, “Come in!” which he follows with the command “Look upon me!”. The use of exclamations and imperative commands allows the Spirit to assert his dominance. While this behaviour does mirror the authority of the first Spirit, this Ghost appears more powerful, as Scrooge obeys his commands rather than challenging them.

● The Ghost uses this power to teach and guide Scrooge towards his reformation. This is seen when it mocks Scrooge’s earlier words about the “surplus population”, causing him to see the error of his ways. This drives him forward towards his redemption and so pushes the narrative along.

● Dickens highlights the effect that the Spirit has on Scrooge by describing his reaction to its message. After the lengthy discourse about social reform, Dickens writes that Scrooge was “bent before the Ghost’s rebuke” and began “trembling” exemplifying his regret. This consequently reveals that Scrooge is becoming more self-aware and socially conscience, highlighting the power and influence of the Spirit.

Key Quotes

“Sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch” Sprinkling incense was a way of making disagreements vanish and spreading good spirits in the Victorian times. This Ghost emphasises that it is working to spread positive spirits to the “to a poor one most” because they have a greater need. This presents the Ghost as aware of social issues and as a force which actively endeavours to do good. It could be argued that the Spirit acts as an www.pmt.education example to readers particularly because it uses incense to repair relationships. This presents the idea that readers too can emulate the Spirit’s behaviour, pushing them towards social reform.

Question 80

Summarise the Ghost of Christmas yet to come

Answer 80

Character summary

The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is the last Ghost that visits Scrooge and is very different from its predecessors. It approaches Scrooge “slowly, gravely, silently”. This triple adverb immediately changes the tone of the narrative, introducing an ominous and sombre quality to the stave. This effect is heightened by the fact that the Spirit is a personification of death – its appearance mirrors classical depictions of the ‘Grim Reaper’.

The Phantom is used by Dickens to visibly exemplify the idea of accountability and the fact that actions have consequences, both of which are themes which run throughout the novella. By showing Scrooge his own death the Spirit gives him a final push towards complete redemption, one which causes him to fall “upon his knees” and desperately hold his hands up in “a last prayer”.

Appearance

The Spirit is described as wearing a “deep black garment”; its presence seemed to “scatter gloom” and its figure was surrounded by “darkness”. Here, Dickens uses a semantic field of blackness, which contrasts the previous two Spirits as they were both associated with symbols of light. This is interesting, as the motif of light was used to represent positivity and Christmas spirit. Therefore, the absence of light suggests that Scrooge’s future will be bleak and unpromising, presenting the idea that he needs to repent and exhibit Christmas spirit in order to prevent these consequences.

Dickens also describes how the Ghost’s clothes “concealed its head, its face, its form” and outlines the “mysterious presence” it has. This introduces the idea of anonymity, perhaps to allude to the uncertain and indefinite nature of the future. It is also interesting to note that instead of speaking the Spirit “pointed onward with its hand”. This is the only interaction Scrooge has with the Spirit which is significant as its hand may represent the hand of time. This emphasises www.pmt.education both the importance and power of time, presenting the idea that Scrooge’s amoral actions will have repercussions.

Purpose

The purpose of this Spirit is to show Scrooge the dark consequences of his actions. The Ghost illustrates to Scrooge what his fate will be if he does not use this opportunity to repent.

Dickens uses prolepsis (a flash forward) to show Scrooge the reactions of various people in the event of his death. This is a dramatic technique, as it could be argued that the reader is equally as interested and affected by Scrooge’s future, due to the connection they have built with his character.

Nobody seems negatively affected by Scrooge’s death which emphasises the messages the Spirits are trying to relay to him.

● The charwoman, one of the characters that Scrooge watches in the pawn shop, says that “he frightened everyone away from him when he was alive, to profit us when he was dead, ha, ha!”. This essentially means that the isolated lifestyle Scrooge chose to lead left him similarly isolated in his death. As a result his belongings could be taken by whoever wanted them, rather than being protected by those who cared for him. The charwoman finishes this assertion with a laugh, revealing that people are not just indifferent to Scrooge’s death but are happy about it as they can finally profit from his wealth.
● Dickens reinforces this through the character of Caroline. Her family owed Scrooge money, but following his death they can “sleep with light hearts”, highlighting the happiness and relief that followed his death.

This stave illustrates the importance of social responsibility as if Scrooge had been nicer to those around him he would have been looked after and cared for in death.

Power Dynamic

● Dickens reveals that Scrooge “feared the silent shape” when referencing his relationship with the Phantom – the last time he felt fear was when Marley’s Ghost left him with a “terrible sensation”. This is significant as by drawing parallels to Scrooge’s old personality the reader is able to see and appreciate how much he has changed.

● The fear that Scrooge feels, in addition to the Spirits silence, forces him to become more forthcoming in the final stave. This prompts Scrooge to actively take control of his redemption. The reader witnesses this through Scrooge’s willingness to go with the Spirit. He says that he is “prepared to bear” the Spirit’s company and will do it with a “thankful www.pmt.education heart”. This highlights how he is more open to the idea of redemption, signifying his change.

● Scrooge has a struggle with this Spirit, similar to his fight with the Ghost of Christmas Past. However, this time Scrooge managed to “detain” the Spirit because he was “strong in his entreaty”. Unlike the past, which is unchanging, Scrooge can hold his ground against the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. This is perhaps to symbolise the fact that Scrooge can control his future if his will is strong enough, illustrating his approaching transformation.

● However, Dickens reveals that despite Scrooge’s strength the Spirit was “stronger yet” and “repulsed Scrooge”. This assertion ensures that the Spirits keep their powerful status above Scrooge. Furthermore, it highlights that while Scrooge has some control over his future he cannot escape his eventual death. Ultimately, this emphasises that it is important to lead a good life and leave a lasting legacy, as death is inescapable.

Key Quotes

● “shrouded in a deep black garment” The use of imagery in this phrase resonates with both Victorian (contemporary) and modern-day readers, who likely find the image similar to that of the Grim Reaper - a widely recognised symbol of death. The black colour of the garment is further described as being “deep”, developing the Phantom’s solemn presence.

● “Read upon the neglected grave his own name, EBENEEZER SCROOGE” The adjective “neglected” is used both during the life of Scrooge as well as his death. Therefore, the reader is able to see the unchanging timeline of Scrooge’s life. The way that Scrooge lived in life is how he died, a type of poetic justice (irony, getting what is deserved).

● “Hear me! I am not the man I was” A fear of the future is what persuades Scrooge to change his ways. The exclamation mark underlines the way in which the scenes have resonated within him, highlighting his eagerness to change.

Question 81

Why does Dickens associate the Ghost of Christmas Past?

Answer 81

Dickens associates the Ghost of Christmas Past with light: ‘from the crown of its
head there sprung a bright clear jet of light’, and it uses ‘a great extinguisher for a
cap’.
The Ghost tells Scrooge ‘you are one of those whose passions made this cap’ because Scrooge wants him to use the cap and extinguish the light.
The light symbolises knowledge.
By reflecting on the past, Scrooge will understand himself better and become a wiser person.
Traditionally in literature, light is a positive image, representing hope.
This implies that the Ghost of Christmas Past will not be a frightening ghost and is there
to help Scrooge.
By reflecting on his past, perhaps Scrooge will learn more about himself and understand
the impact of the choices that he’s made.
Dickens continues to use colour imagery to describe the Ghost, which wears ‘a tunic
of the purest white’ and holds a ‘branch of fresh green holly’.
The white may symbolise the innocence and purity associated with childhood.
It might also symbolise the Ghost’s positive intentions towards Scrooge.
Just before he leaves, Dickens describes the action of Scrooge extinguishing the Ghost’s
light: ‘he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon
its head.’
It seems as if Scrooge has been able to ignore the painful memories of his childhood by blocking
them out or ‘extinguishing’ them, just as he does with the light of this Spirit.
However, Scrooge is unable to extinguish the light completely.
This suggests that some of the memories and lessons from his time with the Ghost will
remain with him.

Question 82

How does dickens describe the ghost of christmas Present?

Answer 82

Dickens describes this Spirit is a large, happy man, ‘a jolly Giant, glorious to see;
who bore a glowing torch, in shape not unlike Plenty’s horn, and held it up, high up,
to shed its light on Scrooge’.
The phrase ‘jolly Giant’ position the Ghost as non-threatening to both Scrooge and
the reader.
This is a Spirit whose physical presence and jolliness fill the room, perhaps symbolising
Dickens’s desire for goodwill to others in all its forms to spread in a similar way.
The ‘horn’ is a Horn of Plenty, a symbol of abundance, good fortune and fertility.
We have more images from the semantic field of light with the ‘glowing’ torch, held
high to ‘shed its light’ on Scrooge.
As with the Ghost of Christmas Past, the light symbolises knowledge.
The Spirit has come to literally and metaphorically shed light on Scrooge’s misdemeanours so
that he realises the need to change.
Dickens uses the Spirit to show Scrooge how others are celebrating Christmas.
Despite their poverty, the Cratchits, miners and sailors all celebrate Christmas in a similar
way: there is a sense of community, Christmas Day is special, there is good will to others,
and singing.

Question 83

How does Dickens depict the Spirit of Christmas yet to come?

Answer 83

Dickens depicts the final Ghost as the most frightening of them all.
He describes the Spirit, using death imagery—he looks like the Grim Reaper, the personification
of Death, shrouded in a ‘black garment’.
The Grim Reaper is said to collect souls of the dead—this character’s aim is to warn
Scrooge that he is facing a lonely demise and further torment if he does not change
his ways.
Dickens employs a pun with ‘shrouded’, which has two meanings.
A shroud is a length of cloth used to wrap around a corpse before burial; it is also
something that covers something else, making it difficult to see.
The word ‘black’ connotes strength, power, fear, mystery, death and evil.
By covering every part of its body in a shapeless ‘garment’, Dickens is aligning this character
with fear.
Being the first ghost that Scrooge saw, Marley was frightening, The Ghost of Christmas Yet
to Come is terrifying.
Terror of the future will shock Scrooge into changing his ways: his lack of feeling and
compassion for others will die so that metaphorically he can be reborn as a better person.

Question 84

Why is it significant that Dickens shows Ignorance and Want?

Answer 84

It is significant that the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the two children he
calls Ignorance and Want; Dickens is suggesting that the children are here in this present
moment of time. Their appearance in the novella can therefore not be ignored..
The children are described as ‘wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable’.
The word ‘wretched’ shows that the children are incredibly unhappy and unfortunate; ‘abject’
means that they have no pride or dignity; ‘frightful’ connotes that their appearance
is unpleasant and shocking; ‘hideous’ means extremely ugly; while ‘miserable’
shows that they are unhappy. Dickens deliberately uses these adjectives to shock the reader.
This is particularly effective due to Dickens’ use of structure, as the reader has just read
a detailed account of the cheerful Christmas festivities at Fred’s, followed by Scrooge’s
whistle-stop tour around ‘many homes […] always with a happy end’. The jarring change in
tone created by the appearance of these children is completely out of sync with earlier celebrations.
This is the ‘ sledgehammer blow’ that Dickens aimed to strike when he decided to
write a novella instead of a pamphlet. The writer continues to use listing when he
describes the children as ‘Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish’. It is almost
as if poverty has dehumanised them. The adjective ‘yellow’ connotes illness, possibly caused by jaundice; the word ‘meagre’ means lacking in quantity of quality, implying that the
children are malnourished and undersized because they have not had enough food to grow properly;
‘ragged’ means that they are literally wearing rags, so they are woefully underdressed
in the middle of winter; ‘scowling’ shows that they are frowning in an angry, bad-tempered
way; while ‘wolfish’ compares them to wolves, connoting that they are dehumanised
and more like predatory animals than children. This idea is developed when Dickens describes
them as ‘monsters’. The descriptions of the children, which aim
to shock, are based on Dickens’s experiences. In 1846, he published ‘A letter on Ragged Schooling’ in The Daily News, in which he recorded his remembrances of a visit to Field
Lane Ragged School in London
The name implies the purpose. They who are too ragged, wretched, filthy, and forlorn,
to enter any other place: who could gain admission into no charity school, and who would be driven
from any church door; are invited to come in here, and find some people not depraved,
willing to teach them something, and show them some sympathy, and stretch a hand out,
which is not the iron hand of Law, for their correction.
Attendance at ragged schools was erratic, and Dickens in his letter noted that the ‘system’ of education was ‘imperfect’. He criticised the ‘frightful neglect by the State’ (i.e.
government) and appealed for more money to educate children and get them out of the cycle
of poverty.
We can almost hear Dickens’s voice when the Ghost of Christmas Present declares:
They are Man’s and they cling to me… appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance.
This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this
boy for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.
To help us to understand the children’s names, let’s first return to Dickens’s.
letter, in which he describes a crowd of boys: Huddled together on a bench about the room,
and shown out by some flaring candles stuck against the walls, were a crowd of boys, varying
from mere infants to young men; sellers of fruit, herbs, lucifer-matches, flints; sleepers
under the dry arches of bridges; young thieves and beggars–with nothing natural to youth
about them: with nothing frank, ingenuous, or pleasant in their faces; low-browed, vicious,
cunning, wicked; abandoned of all help but this; speeding downward to destruction; and
UNUTTERABLY IGNORANT.

Like Ignorance and Want, the boys are depicted as wicked devils. What is worse is their ignorance:
they have not been educated. They do not know how to behave. Dickens urges his readers to
visit Ragged Schools, saying they will be ‘shocked, pained, and repelled’ by conditions
there. In 1843, Dickens wrote to Angela Burdett-Coutts,
one of the wealthiest women in England: in the prodigious misery and ignorance of
the swarming masses of mankind in England, the seeds of its certain ruin are sown.
Dickens suggests that Ignorance leads to Want. If people are educated and equipped with the
skills to work, they will earn honest money. The money will enable them to provide for
their families, eliminating Want. Education is therefore a tool to break the cycle of
poverty. Dickens makes the important point that, in a time when going to school was not
compulsory for all children, the poor could only hope to climb out of poverty through
education.

Question 85

TOp set analysis

Answer 85

Mr Bruff - Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’