Stave Four

Question 1

“It was shrouded in a deep black garment” (The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come)

Answer 1

• Verb “shrouded” has connotations of burial clothes; perhaps foreshadowing the death of Scrooge later if he does not transform.
• “Deep black” further reinforces the idea of death; symbolises loss of life; unlike other spirits, this one evokes fear and dread as its main motivator for Scrooge. Dickens believes that the upper class can be motivated to change not just through sympathy for others, but fear of the harmful repercussions for doing nothing.
• Alternatively, “black” could symbolise uncertainty of the future, since you cannot see through darkness; perhaps a subtle hint that Scrooge’s future is not fixed and is still capable of changing.

Question 2

“The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues”

Answer 2

• Simile “as still as statues” indicates a lack of vitality and energy, contrasting with the Cratchits’ bustling and chaotic preparation of the Christmas meal in Stave Three.
• Alternatively, “statues” are incapable of moving; perhaps signifies how time now stands still in the aftermath of Tiny Tim’s death; Cratchits lives have stopped and they feel unable to continue without him.
• Contrast between adjectives “noisy” and “still” indicate complete transformation of family from lively to lifeless; their irrepressible merriment has been broken by Tiny Tim’s death; Dickens wants to humanise working class, showing his upper class readership that they are not “surplus population,” but people.

Question 3

“He was very light to carry” – Mrs. Cratchit speaking about Tiny Tim

Answer 3

• Adjective “light” possibly hints at malnutrition and literally can refer to loss of weight. Draws a parallel to the withered appearance of Ignorance and Want. Dickens emphasised the scale of poverty in Victorian England.
• On a deeper level, “light” symbolises Tiny Tim’s good character; he was a free and jovial spirit. In this sense, he is an antithesis to the cold temperature which Scrooge “carried always.” Scrooge’s avariciousness was heavy to carry, but for Bob, Tim was light. His goodness of spirit and irrepressible light make him metaphorically weightless.
• Reminiscent of “light as a feather” in Stave Five; Scrooge will later be capable of achieving the same metaphorical weightlessness of Tiny Tim once he is unburdened from his sins.

Question 4

“The Spirits of all three shall strive within me” – Scrooge speaking to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Answer 4

• Metaphor of “strive within me” indicates Scrooge’s resolution to change permanently; he will avoid making the miserly mistakes of the past, he will become more compassionate in the present and he will prevent the terrible future in which Tiny Tim dies.
• Verb “strive” has connotations of difficulty and effort; Scrooge realises that becoming a benevolent philanthropist will not be easy, but he is determined to do it anyway.
• “Within me” symbolises a desire to change not just superficially, but deeply, on the inside; Scrooge will alter his characteristics entirely and become a reformed man. Dickens wants Victorian upper classes to see Scrooge as a role model that they can emulate; if he can change from the intransigent man of Stave One into this benevolent supporter of society, so can they.