Plot Overview -
- Act 1: Marley has been dead for 7 years. Scrooge has been running their counting house. It is
Christmas Eve, cold and foggy. Bob tried to warm himself on his candle as Scrooge won’t
replenish his fire. Fred wishes him Merry Christmas and he responds with “Bah! Humbug”,
refuses invitation to dinner from Fred. Two portly gentleman want a charitable contribution,
Scrooge asks “Are there no prisons?”. Sceptically lets Bob have a day off for Christmas.
Scrooge thinks he sees Marley’s face on the doorknocker. Sitting by his fire he hears chains
rattling, ghost enters double locked room. Marley tells Scrooge of his afterlife and how he will
reap the same fate if he’s not careful. Visited by 3 spirits at 1am on each of the following nights.
- Act 2: Scrooge falls into a deep sleep and awakens by chiming of church clock. 12am. At 1am
a bright child-like figure appears, taking him on a journey into the past. He witnesses school
days and weeps for himself as a child. Visits himself as an apprentice to Fezziwig. Sees broken
engagement to Belle, chose money over how “golden idol”. Says “I cannot bear it”, spirit returns
him to his bed.
- Act 3: Ghost of Christmas present arrives in room opposite his bed, dressed in green robe
trimmed with white fur and holly on his head, a giant. Takes him through London streets on
Christmas morning, people happy and jovial. Ripe fruit and plump turkeys, people going to
Church. Taken home to see Cratchits, sees prep for meagre Christmas dinner. Tiny Tim, small
crippled boy “say he will be spared”, told he will die if nothing changes. Mrs Cratchit talks about
him negatively but Bob stands up for Scrooge. Taken to Fred’s Christmas party, Scrooge likes
atmosphere and wants to stay there. Spirit has grown older, says his life will end at midnight.
Introduces Boy and Girl under his robe as Ignorance and Want. As bell strikes 12 the spirit
disappears.
- Act 4: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: “draped and hooded. Takes him on a journey of
events relating to death of an unknown man. Business men discussing his death, asking about
riches. Takes to a disreputable part of town, thieves exchanging his stolen possessions. Poor
couple relieved he is dead as they had debts to him and he is tyrannical. Taken back to Cratchit
home, Tiny Tim has died. Scrooge pleads with Ghost to know name of man who has died, taken
to graveyard with grave with his name on it. Pleads to ghost and says he will abandon his mean
ways and will “honour Christmas”.
- Act 5: Scrooge overjoyed to be given chance to redeem his sins. Return to Christmas day.
Employs a young boy to buy the biggest turkey in the Butcher’s shop, sends to home of
Cratchits. Attends party of Fred. Bob arrives late yet Scrooge raises his wages and says he will
help his family, becomes a “second father” to Tiny Tim.
Genre -
- Can be seen as a ghost story – 4 different ghosts. Supernatural atmosphere, foggy and dark
as Scrooge is blind to his surroundings and situation. Typical symbols such as Marley rattling
his chain. Gives a distance from the main theme of poverty.
- Sentimental/over-romantic as we see Scrooge change from a miserable and lonely old man to
a caring, generous person. We begin to pity him due to his loneliness.
- A Christmas Carol is an allegory as it comments on society showing all people have the
capacity for kindness and benevolence, despite how miserable they seem. Everyone should be
,aware of the plight (difficult situation) of the poor. “Business, mankind was my business”.
- Used the three ghosts as Scrooge’s moral guides. Shows despite poverty and sickness, men
can be loving to one and other. Shows people can change given the right opportunity.
- Shows how people became casualties of the Industrial Revolution. Poverty summed up by the
meagre offering on Christmas Day, yet contrasting wealth of emotion.
- Shows readers they are blinded by their own wealth and strength of the revolution. Book was
directed as a message to wealthy people, especially considering its high price at release.
- Realistic novel as explores lives and attitudes of people in the Victorian era, literal
reproduction of life. Combines this with the supernatural.
- Uses Scrooge as a caricature (exaggerated characteristics) and allows him to slip beyond the
real, suggesting the readers should look beyond what is ordinary to see truth.
Setting -
- The setting is in Victorian England amidst the Industrial Revolution. The population suffered
greatly. Workers had to move to towns (rather than in the countryside) to support their families,
and realised work was hard, long and poorly-paid. Many people housed singular rooms and
many families lived in singular homes. Dickens also wrote other stories around the theme of
pain and anguish of poverty such as “Hard Times”.
- Reflects concerns in Scrooge’s working conditions for Bob Cratchit. “The clerk’s fire was so
very much smaller that it looked like one coal”, fearful of his job if he asks for more.
- Poverty shown in Cratchit’s 4 roomed house. Mrs Cratchit is dressed poorly in a “twice turned
gown”. Peter wearing his father’s clothes. Eldest girl is already working, and tells Peter of a
suitable position for him. Children had very little time to be children, have to support their family.
- Setting depicts hardship. Scrooge’s room describes as a ‘perfect grove’. Dickens shows
Scrooge and the reader that there’s perfect in nature, and wealth can be found in many ways
(not just financial).
- Luxury in preparation for Fezziwig’s ball. Warm and inviting, showing a small offering can
create a grand ball.
- Setting highlights themes of poverty and social reform. Wealthy blinded to the situation of the
poor.
Adaptations -
- First read to the public in Birmingham Town Hall in 1852 and repeated 3 days later to a group
of working class people, a huge success.
- Adapted for theatre, film, television, opera. Retellings, modernizations, sequels and parodies.
- Made by Disney, Scrooge McDuck. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Charles Dickens
added as a narrator. BBC did their own adaptation in 1997.
Ebenezer Scrooge -
- Compared to the weather “cold within him froze his old features”. Weather has no effect on
him rendering him emotionless. Comes across as sinister and we condemn him for his
treatment of Bob.
- Shown different sides to him where he is vulnerable and trusts others. Scrooge enjoys the
pleasure of imagination at a young age. Feelings of sympathy for how he came to be as he is.
, Relieved he wasn’t completely alone when brought home by his sister.
- When working for Fezziwig, not greedy or selfish yet has a fear of poverty so works
relentlessly, this resulting in an obsession.
- Belle pities him. He doesn’t derive any pleasure from wealth. Clear Marley feels some
responsibility.
- Scrooge realises he must change, wishes he gave young boy singing carols a few pennies.
Pleads Tiny Tim is spared, change of attitude. Given opportunity to see himself through the eyes
of other. Not knowing Tiny Tim existed shows a lack of interest. When seeing his system
reminded about his treatment of Fred, feels ashamed.
- Caricature of middle and upper classes. Dickens worked as a child and his father was
imprisoned for debt so he has an insight into the plight of the poor.
- An old man to show readers it is never too late to change. His name became a euphemism for
being mean and stingy. His phrase “Bah, humbug” means fraud, links with his opinion that being
paid whilst working on Christmas day is fraud.
Ghosts – Jacob Marley + Christmas Past -
- Scrooge does not listen to anyone at the beginning of the novel. Ringing of bells and clanking
of chains uses onomatopoeic language to replicate sound. Jacob Marley appears to be just as
mean and cold in his life, condemned to walk Earth as a ghost bound by chains of a wasted life.
Wants to save Scrooge from a similar fate. Dressed at to be living “incessant torture of
remorse”. “Mankind was my business” Should’ve spent more time being charitable.
- Scrooge refuses to believe Marley’s ghost is real for most of his visit. Surprised by GOCPast’s
appearance, appears like an old man and has a glowing head. “Delicately formed supernatural
being”, giving the impression of an angel. Holds a spring of holly giving connotations to
Christmas. “Long past?” “No, your past” Sign of hope. “Would you so soon put out, with worldly
hands, the light I give?” Light to guide him through his past to discover truth, reasons behind his
current mean existence. The blindness to himself created the cap.
- Sees happiness of Belle with her new husband and children. As scrooge admits he has been
dismayed (feel concern/distress), the light from the Ghost’s head becomes brighter showing it
has succeeded in his lesson to Scrooge showing he was once loving and caring, but has
suffered through the loss of his own happiness.
Ghosts – Present + Yet to Come -
- GOCPresent symbolised by light, room emitting it. “undergone a surprising transformation”,
covered in fruits and food. “Come in! And knew me better, man!” Authoritative and commanding
tone. Giant covered in green robe trimmed with white fur carrying a torch. Provides light for
Scrooge to see the error of his ways. Lifespan for only 1 day as can only live in the moment.
Wreath of holly linking him to Jesus Christ. Represents eternal life. Similar to message given by
Marley, your behaviour in life reflects on your visit.
- Ghost takes Scrooge to visit streets of London. Black and gloomy weather contrasted by
“jovial and full of glee” people. Shows how a large poor family can be wealthy with love. Visit a
miner and his family, then a lighthouse to see warm greetings, then go to sea to hear a ship’s
crew humming Christmas tunes. Takes him to Fred’s party, guests mock Scrooge but Fred’s pity
- Act 1: Marley has been dead for 7 years. Scrooge has been running their counting house. It is
Christmas Eve, cold and foggy. Bob tried to warm himself on his candle as Scrooge won’t
replenish his fire. Fred wishes him Merry Christmas and he responds with “Bah! Humbug”,
refuses invitation to dinner from Fred. Two portly gentleman want a charitable contribution,
Scrooge asks “Are there no prisons?”. Sceptically lets Bob have a day off for Christmas.
Scrooge thinks he sees Marley’s face on the doorknocker. Sitting by his fire he hears chains
rattling, ghost enters double locked room. Marley tells Scrooge of his afterlife and how he will
reap the same fate if he’s not careful. Visited by 3 spirits at 1am on each of the following nights.
- Act 2: Scrooge falls into a deep sleep and awakens by chiming of church clock. 12am. At 1am
a bright child-like figure appears, taking him on a journey into the past. He witnesses school
days and weeps for himself as a child. Visits himself as an apprentice to Fezziwig. Sees broken
engagement to Belle, chose money over how “golden idol”. Says “I cannot bear it”, spirit returns
him to his bed.
- Act 3: Ghost of Christmas present arrives in room opposite his bed, dressed in green robe
trimmed with white fur and holly on his head, a giant. Takes him through London streets on
Christmas morning, people happy and jovial. Ripe fruit and plump turkeys, people going to
Church. Taken home to see Cratchits, sees prep for meagre Christmas dinner. Tiny Tim, small
crippled boy “say he will be spared”, told he will die if nothing changes. Mrs Cratchit talks about
him negatively but Bob stands up for Scrooge. Taken to Fred’s Christmas party, Scrooge likes
atmosphere and wants to stay there. Spirit has grown older, says his life will end at midnight.
Introduces Boy and Girl under his robe as Ignorance and Want. As bell strikes 12 the spirit
disappears.
- Act 4: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: “draped and hooded. Takes him on a journey of
events relating to death of an unknown man. Business men discussing his death, asking about
riches. Takes to a disreputable part of town, thieves exchanging his stolen possessions. Poor
couple relieved he is dead as they had debts to him and he is tyrannical. Taken back to Cratchit
home, Tiny Tim has died. Scrooge pleads with Ghost to know name of man who has died, taken
to graveyard with grave with his name on it. Pleads to ghost and says he will abandon his mean
ways and will “honour Christmas”.
- Act 5: Scrooge overjoyed to be given chance to redeem his sins. Return to Christmas day.
Employs a young boy to buy the biggest turkey in the Butcher’s shop, sends to home of
Cratchits. Attends party of Fred. Bob arrives late yet Scrooge raises his wages and says he will
help his family, becomes a “second father” to Tiny Tim.
Genre -
- Can be seen as a ghost story – 4 different ghosts. Supernatural atmosphere, foggy and dark
as Scrooge is blind to his surroundings and situation. Typical symbols such as Marley rattling
his chain. Gives a distance from the main theme of poverty.
- Sentimental/over-romantic as we see Scrooge change from a miserable and lonely old man to
a caring, generous person. We begin to pity him due to his loneliness.
- A Christmas Carol is an allegory as it comments on society showing all people have the
capacity for kindness and benevolence, despite how miserable they seem. Everyone should be
,aware of the plight (difficult situation) of the poor. “Business, mankind was my business”.
- Used the three ghosts as Scrooge’s moral guides. Shows despite poverty and sickness, men
can be loving to one and other. Shows people can change given the right opportunity.
- Shows how people became casualties of the Industrial Revolution. Poverty summed up by the
meagre offering on Christmas Day, yet contrasting wealth of emotion.
- Shows readers they are blinded by their own wealth and strength of the revolution. Book was
directed as a message to wealthy people, especially considering its high price at release.
- Realistic novel as explores lives and attitudes of people in the Victorian era, literal
reproduction of life. Combines this with the supernatural.
- Uses Scrooge as a caricature (exaggerated characteristics) and allows him to slip beyond the
real, suggesting the readers should look beyond what is ordinary to see truth.
Setting -
- The setting is in Victorian England amidst the Industrial Revolution. The population suffered
greatly. Workers had to move to towns (rather than in the countryside) to support their families,
and realised work was hard, long and poorly-paid. Many people housed singular rooms and
many families lived in singular homes. Dickens also wrote other stories around the theme of
pain and anguish of poverty such as “Hard Times”.
- Reflects concerns in Scrooge’s working conditions for Bob Cratchit. “The clerk’s fire was so
very much smaller that it looked like one coal”, fearful of his job if he asks for more.
- Poverty shown in Cratchit’s 4 roomed house. Mrs Cratchit is dressed poorly in a “twice turned
gown”. Peter wearing his father’s clothes. Eldest girl is already working, and tells Peter of a
suitable position for him. Children had very little time to be children, have to support their family.
- Setting depicts hardship. Scrooge’s room describes as a ‘perfect grove’. Dickens shows
Scrooge and the reader that there’s perfect in nature, and wealth can be found in many ways
(not just financial).
- Luxury in preparation for Fezziwig’s ball. Warm and inviting, showing a small offering can
create a grand ball.
- Setting highlights themes of poverty and social reform. Wealthy blinded to the situation of the
poor.
Adaptations -
- First read to the public in Birmingham Town Hall in 1852 and repeated 3 days later to a group
of working class people, a huge success.
- Adapted for theatre, film, television, opera. Retellings, modernizations, sequels and parodies.
- Made by Disney, Scrooge McDuck. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Charles Dickens
added as a narrator. BBC did their own adaptation in 1997.
Ebenezer Scrooge -
- Compared to the weather “cold within him froze his old features”. Weather has no effect on
him rendering him emotionless. Comes across as sinister and we condemn him for his
treatment of Bob.
- Shown different sides to him where he is vulnerable and trusts others. Scrooge enjoys the
pleasure of imagination at a young age. Feelings of sympathy for how he came to be as he is.
, Relieved he wasn’t completely alone when brought home by his sister.
- When working for Fezziwig, not greedy or selfish yet has a fear of poverty so works
relentlessly, this resulting in an obsession.
- Belle pities him. He doesn’t derive any pleasure from wealth. Clear Marley feels some
responsibility.
- Scrooge realises he must change, wishes he gave young boy singing carols a few pennies.
Pleads Tiny Tim is spared, change of attitude. Given opportunity to see himself through the eyes
of other. Not knowing Tiny Tim existed shows a lack of interest. When seeing his system
reminded about his treatment of Fred, feels ashamed.
- Caricature of middle and upper classes. Dickens worked as a child and his father was
imprisoned for debt so he has an insight into the plight of the poor.
- An old man to show readers it is never too late to change. His name became a euphemism for
being mean and stingy. His phrase “Bah, humbug” means fraud, links with his opinion that being
paid whilst working on Christmas day is fraud.
Ghosts – Jacob Marley + Christmas Past -
- Scrooge does not listen to anyone at the beginning of the novel. Ringing of bells and clanking
of chains uses onomatopoeic language to replicate sound. Jacob Marley appears to be just as
mean and cold in his life, condemned to walk Earth as a ghost bound by chains of a wasted life.
Wants to save Scrooge from a similar fate. Dressed at to be living “incessant torture of
remorse”. “Mankind was my business” Should’ve spent more time being charitable.
- Scrooge refuses to believe Marley’s ghost is real for most of his visit. Surprised by GOCPast’s
appearance, appears like an old man and has a glowing head. “Delicately formed supernatural
being”, giving the impression of an angel. Holds a spring of holly giving connotations to
Christmas. “Long past?” “No, your past” Sign of hope. “Would you so soon put out, with worldly
hands, the light I give?” Light to guide him through his past to discover truth, reasons behind his
current mean existence. The blindness to himself created the cap.
- Sees happiness of Belle with her new husband and children. As scrooge admits he has been
dismayed (feel concern/distress), the light from the Ghost’s head becomes brighter showing it
has succeeded in his lesson to Scrooge showing he was once loving and caring, but has
suffered through the loss of his own happiness.
Ghosts – Present + Yet to Come -
- GOCPresent symbolised by light, room emitting it. “undergone a surprising transformation”,
covered in fruits and food. “Come in! And knew me better, man!” Authoritative and commanding
tone. Giant covered in green robe trimmed with white fur carrying a torch. Provides light for
Scrooge to see the error of his ways. Lifespan for only 1 day as can only live in the moment.
Wreath of holly linking him to Jesus Christ. Represents eternal life. Similar to message given by
Marley, your behaviour in life reflects on your visit.
- Ghost takes Scrooge to visit streets of London. Black and gloomy weather contrasted by
“jovial and full of glee” people. Shows how a large poor family can be wealthy with love. Visit a
miner and his family, then a lighthouse to see warm greetings, then go to sea to hear a ship’s
crew humming Christmas tunes. Takes him to Fred’s party, guests mock Scrooge but Fred’s pity
