,CONTENTS:
Part 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………..………4
Part 2: The Author: Charles Dickens………………………………… ……………..……………….………5
How are Dickens’s beliefs reflected in “A Christmas Carol”? …………………..6
Is “A Christmas Carol” still relevant today?.....................................................6
Past 3: Structure: Understanding the title & What is a novella?………………………..7
What is a stave? & The structure of the story………………………………............8
What is an allegory?..............................................................................................9
Part 4: Context – A Victorian Christmas & Poverty in Victorian Britain…………….10
Part 5: A summary of the story ………………………………………………….……………………………11
Check your understanding – a quick quiz……………………………………………….…….. 15
Part 6: Analysis of the Characters – Ebenezer Scrooge…………………………..………..16
Analysis of the Characters – Fred Scrooge…………………………………………………19
Check your understanding – compare Scrooge and Fred……………………….…20
Analysis of the Characters – The Cratchit Family…………………………………..…21
Analysis of the Characters – Fan, Fezziwig, Ignorance and Want………….22
Analysis of the Characters – Belle, Jacob Marley…………………………..……..….23
Analysis of the Characters – The Three Spirits………………………..………………25
Check your understanding – compare the three spirits…………………………….27
Part 7: Key themes and techniques ………………………………………………………………………..28
Check your understanding – Dickens’s use of description ………………....….32
Part 8: Writing about the novella ……………………………………………………………………………34
Sample essay - Explore the transformation of Ebeneezer Scrooge……..35
Sample essay- Discuss the ways in which Dickens presents wealth and
poverty in “A Christmas Carol” …………………………………………………………………………………….40
Part 9: Check your Understanding – some answers! …………………………………………..43
Part 10: The Complete Original Text………………………………………………………………………49
2
,A WORD FROM OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS:
The Owl Education Institute is an established and unique company. Based in
West London we have been offering intensive tuition in the core subjects—
English, Mathematics and Science—for over 25 years. The company shamelessly
promotes academic, traditional teaching with an emphasis on examination
success. We offer high level tutoring in small, focused groups with each teacher
head-hunted and selected for his or her individual expertise and brilliance. An
excellent centre with an exceptional reputation, we are now proud sponsors of
Mr Bruff and look forward to working with him in the year ahead.
For more information, please visit www.owleducation.co.uk
DEDICATION:
This guide was written by Georgina Bottomley, part of the mrbruff.com team,
and Andrew Bruff.
Georgina Bottomley is an English teacher from Dorset with 14 years of teaching
experience. She is a happily married mother of one. Georgina Bottomley would
like to thank: Andrew Bruff for his valuable time and expert advice when
proofreading the final draft of this book and Neil Bottomley for his ongoing
support.
Andrew and Georgina would also like to thank:
Sam Perkins, who designed the front cover of this eBook.
Sunny Ratilal, who designed the original front cover which was adapted for
this edition.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This guide is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, any exam boards. The writers
are simply two experienced English teachers who are using their skills and
expertise to help students.
3
, PART 1: Introduction
Charles Dickens wrote his novella “A Christmas Carol” in 1843 when he was 31
years old. It is an allegory; Scrooge acts as a symbol for greed and selfishness
whilst other characters represent the poor in society and those that are
affected by the actions of others who are more fortunate.
Today, over 170 years later, the story continues to be read and studied across
the world. So what is it about this tale that keeps generation after generation
so intrigued? Why has it been retold so many times? Even the Muppets have
starred in a film version of this story!
In this eBook we shall look for the lessons of social responsibility that Dickens
is trying to teach the reader. Along the way we will analyse language, structure,
form, character, theme, context and much more; hopefully you will find it
useful.
If you consider this revision guide valuable then please visit
youtube.com/mrbruff where you will find hundreds of videos focusing on English
and English Literature. The videos have been viewed over 5 million times across
198 nations – we’d love you to join in.
There are many other Mr Buff eBooks including a bestselling eBook revision
guide for GCSE English and English Literature, which can be bought at both
http://www.mrbruff.com/buy and http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BNWVXC8
If you wish to get in touch then please do email me at
Andrew Bruff December 2015
4
Part 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………..………4
Part 2: The Author: Charles Dickens………………………………… ……………..……………….………5
How are Dickens’s beliefs reflected in “A Christmas Carol”? …………………..6
Is “A Christmas Carol” still relevant today?.....................................................6
Past 3: Structure: Understanding the title & What is a novella?………………………..7
What is a stave? & The structure of the story………………………………............8
What is an allegory?..............................................................................................9
Part 4: Context – A Victorian Christmas & Poverty in Victorian Britain…………….10
Part 5: A summary of the story ………………………………………………….……………………………11
Check your understanding – a quick quiz……………………………………………….…….. 15
Part 6: Analysis of the Characters – Ebenezer Scrooge…………………………..………..16
Analysis of the Characters – Fred Scrooge…………………………………………………19
Check your understanding – compare Scrooge and Fred……………………….…20
Analysis of the Characters – The Cratchit Family…………………………………..…21
Analysis of the Characters – Fan, Fezziwig, Ignorance and Want………….22
Analysis of the Characters – Belle, Jacob Marley…………………………..……..….23
Analysis of the Characters – The Three Spirits………………………..………………25
Check your understanding – compare the three spirits…………………………….27
Part 7: Key themes and techniques ………………………………………………………………………..28
Check your understanding – Dickens’s use of description ………………....….32
Part 8: Writing about the novella ……………………………………………………………………………34
Sample essay - Explore the transformation of Ebeneezer Scrooge……..35
Sample essay- Discuss the ways in which Dickens presents wealth and
poverty in “A Christmas Carol” …………………………………………………………………………………….40
Part 9: Check your Understanding – some answers! …………………………………………..43
Part 10: The Complete Original Text………………………………………………………………………49
2
,A WORD FROM OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS:
The Owl Education Institute is an established and unique company. Based in
West London we have been offering intensive tuition in the core subjects—
English, Mathematics and Science—for over 25 years. The company shamelessly
promotes academic, traditional teaching with an emphasis on examination
success. We offer high level tutoring in small, focused groups with each teacher
head-hunted and selected for his or her individual expertise and brilliance. An
excellent centre with an exceptional reputation, we are now proud sponsors of
Mr Bruff and look forward to working with him in the year ahead.
For more information, please visit www.owleducation.co.uk
DEDICATION:
This guide was written by Georgina Bottomley, part of the mrbruff.com team,
and Andrew Bruff.
Georgina Bottomley is an English teacher from Dorset with 14 years of teaching
experience. She is a happily married mother of one. Georgina Bottomley would
like to thank: Andrew Bruff for his valuable time and expert advice when
proofreading the final draft of this book and Neil Bottomley for his ongoing
support.
Andrew and Georgina would also like to thank:
Sam Perkins, who designed the front cover of this eBook.
Sunny Ratilal, who designed the original front cover which was adapted for
this edition.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This guide is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, any exam boards. The writers
are simply two experienced English teachers who are using their skills and
expertise to help students.
3
, PART 1: Introduction
Charles Dickens wrote his novella “A Christmas Carol” in 1843 when he was 31
years old. It is an allegory; Scrooge acts as a symbol for greed and selfishness
whilst other characters represent the poor in society and those that are
affected by the actions of others who are more fortunate.
Today, over 170 years later, the story continues to be read and studied across
the world. So what is it about this tale that keeps generation after generation
so intrigued? Why has it been retold so many times? Even the Muppets have
starred in a film version of this story!
In this eBook we shall look for the lessons of social responsibility that Dickens
is trying to teach the reader. Along the way we will analyse language, structure,
form, character, theme, context and much more; hopefully you will find it
useful.
If you consider this revision guide valuable then please visit
youtube.com/mrbruff where you will find hundreds of videos focusing on English
and English Literature. The videos have been viewed over 5 million times across
198 nations – we’d love you to join in.
There are many other Mr Buff eBooks including a bestselling eBook revision
guide for GCSE English and English Literature, which can be bought at both
http://www.mrbruff.com/buy and http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BNWVXC8
If you wish to get in touch then please do email me at
Andrew Bruff December 2015
4
