Charles Dickens’ A
Christmas Carol
Includes: plot summary, context, structure, themes, characters, quotes.
, A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens, 1843
Plot Summary Form and Structure
Stave One: It is Christmas Eve, miserly Scrooge is at work. Scrooge is visited by Novella in the form of a ghost story.
Marley’s Ghost and told he will be visited by three spirits. Each ghost builds tension.
Stave Two: The Ghost of Christmas Past arrives at 1am, showing Scrooge himself as a Climax is when Scrooge views own gravestone, his epiphany
child. (moment of realisation).
Stave Three: The Ghost of Christmas Present visits Scrooge showing him the It is set in London, giving Dickens the opportunity to
Christmas celebrations. Scrooge learns that Tiny Tim will die. criticise society.
Stave Four: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come visits Scrooge. Scrooge is horrified Allegorical novella to cause the reader to reflect on their
Stave Five: On Christmas Day, Scrooge wakes up and realises that he has a second own actions.
chance, he sends a turkey to the Cratchits and goes on to live a generous life.
Context
Dickens has a difficult early life due to his father’s financial
problems.
Dickens read a government report about child poverty in
1843 and was appalled.
The Poor Law, 1834, removed government support for
individuals in poverty, forcing the poor to work in harsh
workhouses
Christmas Carol
Includes: plot summary, context, structure, themes, characters, quotes.
, A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens, 1843
Plot Summary Form and Structure
Stave One: It is Christmas Eve, miserly Scrooge is at work. Scrooge is visited by Novella in the form of a ghost story.
Marley’s Ghost and told he will be visited by three spirits. Each ghost builds tension.
Stave Two: The Ghost of Christmas Past arrives at 1am, showing Scrooge himself as a Climax is when Scrooge views own gravestone, his epiphany
child. (moment of realisation).
Stave Three: The Ghost of Christmas Present visits Scrooge showing him the It is set in London, giving Dickens the opportunity to
Christmas celebrations. Scrooge learns that Tiny Tim will die. criticise society.
Stave Four: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come visits Scrooge. Scrooge is horrified Allegorical novella to cause the reader to reflect on their
Stave Five: On Christmas Day, Scrooge wakes up and realises that he has a second own actions.
chance, he sends a turkey to the Cratchits and goes on to live a generous life.
Context
Dickens has a difficult early life due to his father’s financial
problems.
Dickens read a government report about child poverty in
1843 and was appalled.
The Poor Law, 1834, removed government support for
individuals in poverty, forcing the poor to work in harsh
workhouses
