Stave 2

Question 1

It was so dark

Answer 1

Pathetic fallacy. Sets the scene for the supernatural and the normality of the situation makes the ghost’s appearance even more surprising

Question 2

Pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes

Answer 2

Zoomorphism

Question 3

The clock was wrong

Answer 3

Time is broken and it creates tension with the Stave

Question 4

It’s rapid little pulse beat twelve

Answer 4

Personification of the clock. The clock has a pulse even though it is an inanimate object. Rapid suggested fear or apprehension. Twelve was a magical number in Victorian times suggesting a supernatural event

Question 5

And thought, and thought, and thought it over and over,

Answer 5

The use of a triple suggest Scrooge’s thoughts are overwhelming him as he tries to find a logical explanation

Question 6

“Ding, dong!”

Answer 6

Onomatopoeia. Repetition shows his alertness and therefore dread at the possibility of the ghost’s arrival

Question 7

Light flashed up in the room upon the instant, and the curtains of his bed were drawn.

Answer 7

This sentence holds a certain theatricality resembling stage cues. Dickens had a deep passion of the theatre and performed reading of his works to sold out crowds

Question 8

Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me

Answer 8

He is respectful towards the ghost which is unusual however he may be scared from his previous encounter with Marley’s ghost

Question 9

‘Who, and what are you.’

Answer 9

Scrooge interrogates the ghost as to try and gain control of the situation. He is uncomfortable with it’s presence and doesn’t trust it

Question 10

He had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

Answer 10

Scrooge is uncomfortable with the light the ghost gives out suggesting he is not yet ready to escape the darkness

Question 11

‘Remember it.’ cried Scrooge with fervour; ‘I could walk it blindfold.’

Answer 11

He’s reliving his childhood memories causing great emotion within him

Question 12

A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.

Answer 12

Suggests the one of the reasons why Scrooge is the way he is now. He was neglected by society as a child so he doesn’t know any different

Question 13

And he sobbed

Answer 13

A huge turning point in the novella as it is his 1st physical display of emotions. Major character development

Question 14

It was a large house, but one of broken fortunes;

Answer 14

A very uneasy, unwelcoming setting which is the opposite of what a home should be

Question 15

It’s dear old honest Ali Baba.

Answer 15

Here Scrooge reflects on the time he spent alone during Christmas among books and reminisces on the stories he read.

Question 16

I should have like to have given him something: that’s all.

Answer 16

Remorseful statement that shows Scrooge is starting to realise his mistakes and wants to amend them. He doesn’t want to wish his childhood on anybody else

Question 17

Scrooge knew no more than you do

Answer 17

Direct address of the reader from the author

Question 18

And a little girl

Answer 18

The little girl in Fan, his younger sister and Fred’s mother. Her actions make Scrooge regret how he has treated Fred

Question 19

Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home’s like Heaven

Answer 19

Scrooge’s home life is not a good one

Question 20

Skipping down from the high desk, with wonderful agility.

Answer 20

Implies his energetic, cheerful mood which is a complete antithesis of Scrooge.

Question 21

Fuel was heaped upon the fire

Answer 21

Fire is a motif throughout the novella representing happiness and kindness. Scrooge’s fire in Stave 1is very small compared to Fezziwig’s fire showing he is much more generous and loving

Question 22

Negus

Answer 22

Hot drink of port, sugar, lemon and spice

Question 23

Plenty of beer

Answer 23

Beer was an expensive luxury so it shows how free Fezziwig is with his money compared to Scrooge’s miserly attitudes

Question 24

`No,’ said Scrooge,’ No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That’s all.’

Answer 24

Just like the previous memory, Scrooge regrets his actions towards someone and wishing to change them. He remembers how well Fezziwig treated him and realises he hasn’t treated Bob Cratchit anywhere near as well

Question 25

If it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do

Answer 25

She (Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée) suggests that money is now a more fitting love for him as it can look after him better than she can

Question 26

A golden one

Answer 26

Scrooge no worships money like how he once worshipped her

Question 27

There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty

Answer 27

Dickens speaks from personal experience as his father was put in debters’ prison because the whole family was too poor

Question 28

Seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one,

Answer 28

The goodness within his personality such as his kindness and charity has slowly died off one by one as his passion for money increased until there was no space for anything else

Question 29

I was a boy

Answer 29

Suggests he was immature and irresponsible when making this engagement and it no longer is suitable

Question 30

May you be happy in the life you have chosen

Answer 30

She is saying it is his fault that they are no longer together. Scrooge loves money and Belle is poor

Question 31

Winter fire

Answer 31

Oxymoron. Winter is cold but a fire is warm

Question 32

Now a comely matron

Answer 32

Belle is now married and Scrooge regrets that he is not her husband

Question 33

What would I not have given to be one of them

Answer 33

Another remorseful statement

Question 34

Might have called him father,

Answer 34

Shows the importance of family and Scrooge’s wish for 1

Question 35

Which streamed from under it, in an unbroken flood upon the ground

Answer 35

Metaphor shows how much of his past he wants to hide because of all the bad he has done but he can’t