The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The novel begins with whose death?

Marley's

Who or what entered Scrooge's chambers and frightened him?

Marley's ghost

What is the main topic of conversation at Fred's house?

Scrooge

Why is this family so quite and still when the Spirit takes Scrooge to see their tender emotions? What has happened?

Tiny Tim has died.

Why do you think that the Ghost shows Scrooge that happy life that Belle has found with her husband and large family?

To show how Scrooge's greed has kept him from true happiness

Scrooge's internal struggle been resolved by the end of the novel.

True

In the following quote, what literary device is used? The pudding was out of the copper. A smell like a washing day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eating house, and a pastry cook's next door to each other, with a laundress's next door to that! That was the pudding.

simile

The Ghost of Christmas Present has two children under his robe, Want and Ignorance. What literary device is Dickens using here?

symbolism

According to Marley, what SHOULD have been his focus in life?

the common welfare of mankind

As Scrooge leaves his house on Christmas morning, he notices the doorknocker again. Why do you think Dickens draws attention to this seemingly unimportant object?

to show hoe Scrooge's perspective of the little things has changed

Which character arrives in the school room to take young Ebenezer home?

Fezziwig

Cratchit's little son is named ______________.

Tiny Tim

What emotion is being displayed by those the Spirit shows to Scrooge (see previous question)?

delight and relief

As Scrooge is complaining about the vile treatment of this poor, dead soul, the scene suddenly changes to a bedroom. Whose bedroom is this?

the dead man's

What gift did Scrooge send to his clerk, Mr. Cratchit, on Christmas morning?

the prize turkey in the butcher's window

How do you think Scrooge's actions had an effect on Tiny Tim's fate in this stave?

Because Scrooge did not pay Bob Cratchit very much, the Cratchits could not afford much medical care and nutrition for their son.

Scrooge did his apprenticeship with _________.

Belle breaking their engagement

What is Scrooge's response to greetings of "Merry Christmas" from his nephew? Use his own words.

Bah! Humbug!

The scene in the graveyard is considered the climax of this story. Remember that the climax is the turning point of the story, where the conflict begins to be resolved. What statement does Scrooge make that depicts this climax?

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

How has Scrooge changed by the end of the novel?

- He is more generous. - He is joyful. - He shows compassion for others.

After the visit from the third Ghost, Scrooge says, "I don't know what day of the month it is!...I don't know how long I've been among the Spirits." How long did it take the Ghosts to take Scrooge on his journey?

1 night

Scrooge is terrified at the possibilities of what his life may become and makes the following statement: "Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead...but if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!" Scrooge reveals in his statement that he is hoping for a _______ ________.

2nd chance

What was the first place Scrooge visited with the Ghost of Christmas Present?

Bob Cratchit's house

After seeing the dead man's covered body, Scrooge says, "If there is any person in the town, who feels emotion caused by this man's death,...show that person to me..." Whom does the Spirit show to Scrooge?

Caroline and her husband (who owed money to Scrooge)

How does Scrooge's visit to his nephew affect Scrooge?

He becomes light of heart.

Why does Marley roam the earth with his chain?

He has to carry the weight of his earthly choices and observe those still on the earth to see what he could have done for others while he was still alive.

What joke did Scrooge play on Bob Cratchit the day after Christmas?

He pretends to be angry that Bob was late

What is Scrooge's response when he is asked for a donation to help the poor?

He rudely refuses to give.

Why did the bell ringing surprise Scrooge?

He thought there was no one else in the house to ring it.

After Scrooge praises Fezziwig, it appears that he realizes the irony of his comments. What does he say that shows that he realizes this irony?

He wishes he could "say a word or two" to his clerk "just now."

Where was the first place that the Ghost of Christmas Past took Scrooge?

His childhood school

"I am sorry for him. I couldn't be angry with him if I tried." Why does Fred say this about Uncle Scrooge? Why does he feel pity for Scrooge?

Scrooge had cut himself off from the people around him who could show him love.

Why does Belle break off her engagement to Scrooge?

Scrooge is more interested in making money.

At the end of the scene at Fezziwig's shop, Scrooge speaks of the power of Fezziwig over the workers. His comments are positive and full of praise for this generous benefactor. Why is this ironic? Consider Scrooge's present position as a boss over his clerk.

Scrooge praises Fezziwig for being generous to his employees although Scrooge is not at all generous with his employee.

When Scrooge went home for the night, what was unusual about his door knocker?

Scrooge saw Marley's face in it.

"...Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child...[this is much like hearing] the insect on the leaf pronouncing on [or speaking of] the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!" Explain what the Ghost is telling Scrooge in this passage about his self-importance.

Scrooge thinks that he is more important than others when, in reality, he may be less important than his fellow men.

What is the setting at the beginning of this stave?

Scrooge's bedroom

When they leave the Cratchit house, the Spirit and Scrooge end up in a graveyard. Scrooge is told to look upon a tombstone. Whose name was written on it?

Scrooge's name

The lonely boy sitting in the schoolroom was _______.

Scrooge, Ebenezer

The tiles on the fireplace depicted what kind of scenes?

Stories from the Bible

The emotion displayed does not comfort Scrooge, so he tells the Spirits, "Let me see some tenderness connected to a death." Where does the Spirit then take Scrooge to see this desired emotion?

The Cratchit's house

"If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race," returned the Ghost, "will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." Why does this statement shame Scrooge?

The Ghost is saying Scrooge's own words back to him.

At the end of this stave, Scrooge tries to shut out the light from the ghost's cap. What might this action be a symbol of? Consider Psalm 97:11 in your answer: "Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart."

The action is symbolic of Scrooge fighting against joy and righteousness because he has not decided that he needs to change his way.

The Ghost takes Scrooge to a pawn shop (where unclaimed items are sold). What is happening in this shop that is so vile to Scrooge?

They are selling Scrooge's goods.

What trick did Cratchit's family play on him as he entered the house?

They hid his oldest daughter, Martha

Read paragraph 8. How do other people view Scrooge?

They think he is wicked and they are afraid of him.

What was the relationship between Scrooge and Marley?

They were business partners

At the end of his visit with Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals 2 children under his robe. He makes the following statement to Scrooge: "This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both..., but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased." Ignorance, in this sense, means "lacking an education" or not being given a chance to attend school. Want indicates poverty, hunger, and a lack of protection. What is the connection between Ignorance and Doom that the Ghost is warning Scrooge about? According to Dickens, why would ignorance lead to doom?

Those who are not educated do not have hope for a better life.

At the beginning of the stave, Dickens describes Scrooge's demeanor. Has Scrooge changed? What type of character is he?

dynamic

In the following quote, what literary device is used? "I see a vacant seat," replied the Ghost, "in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die."

foreshadowing

What is the final memory that the Ghost of Christmas Past shows to Scrooge?

his little sister, Fan

Whom does Scrooge visit on Christmas day?

his nephew

Belle states that a golden idol has replaced her in Scrooge's heart. What is this idol?

money

Dickens uses what kind of tone when he calls Scrooge a "covetous old sinner"?

moralistic

As Scrooge walks down the street on Christmas morning, he sees the men who came to his office looking for a donation for the poor. What does Scrooge do that surprises these men?

offers a substantial donation