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Dickens' A Christmas Carol

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A Christmas Carol

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"Why it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart..."

Fezziwig

This week you will be reading all five staves of A Christmas Carol. Stave is an archaic (ancient, old-fashioned) form of the word "staff," a stanza of a poem or song. Dickens wanted to promote the idea that his story was a Christmas carol (musically speaking) in prose, so he called the chapters staves, or verses.

When Dickens had the book published in December of 1843, he ensured that it would be a beautifully cloth bound volume with the title stamped in gold on the front and spine, with colored end papers, and gilt edges; however, he only charged five shillings for it - to make sure everyone could afford a copy. The book was hugely successful and sold out in five days.

It is interesting to note that Dickens wrote his story during a decline in the old Christmas traditions. Dickens, after publishing A Christmas Carol, has been credited with reviving the holiday customs almost single-handedly.

Journals

"But you were always a good man of business, Jacob," faultered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.

"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business...."

A Christmas Carol is a story of redemption which has become as much a part of the season as eggnog and mistletoe. As we read through the novel, you will answer the following questions for each stave in the form of journal entries. The last entry (Effects of A Christmas Carol) should not be made until after you have read the entire novel.

Stave One - Marley's Ghost

What narrative hook does the opening sentence of Stave One imply?
"You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail." Why do you think Dickens directly addresses "you" here?
Re-read the description of Scrooge in the 6th paragraph of Stave One (beginning with "Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge!"). What does this description tell you of his character? Which words does Dickens use to create an image of Scrooge?
Contrast Scrooge and his nephew. How are they different?
How does Scrooge feel about celebrating Christmas?
Why does Scrooge like the darkness? (paragraph 85; just after Scrooge sees Marley's face in the door knocker.)
What do you think Marley's chain represents? Why does he wear it? Why does he appear to Scrooge? What warning does he give Scrooge?
Which quote from Stave One do you think shows that Marley is sorry for the priorities he had when he was alive?
Why are the phantoms (three paragraphs from the end of the stave) upset?

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

Stave Two - The First of the Three Spirits

What is Scrooge's initial attitude toward this spirit?
Who is Scrooge referring to when he says, "Poor boy!" upon seeing the solitary child left at school over the Christmas holiday.
When Scrooge's sister Fan comes to pick him up from school, we learn a reason Scrooge may be the way he is. What is it?
Contrast Scrooge with his old master, Fezziwig. How are they different?
Why does Scrooge say Fezziwig was a good master?
Who is Belle and why is she important to Scrooge? What does she say is the reason she is releasing him from his promise?
Why does Scrooge say, "Remove me." to the spirit near the end of the stave?
How do you think this visit has affected Scrooge?

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

Stave Three - The Second of the Three Spirits

First Part:

How is what Scrooge is thinking as he lies in bed waiting for the next spirit different from the previous stave?
What does this spirit look like? What is his personality?
How has Scrooge's attitude toward being escorted around by a ghost changed?
What are three significant things we learn about the Cratchits? How is Scrooge affected by seeing the family?
Why do the Cratchit boys have to go fetch the goose for Christmas dinner?
What does the spirit say will happen to Tiny Tim?
Why doesn't Mrs. Cratchit want to toast Scrooge?

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

Second Part:

Why does Scrooge's nephew Fred feel sorry for him?
How does Scrooge feel as he watches the party at Fred's house?
One of the themes in this novel is deeply rooted in Dickens' feelings about the troubles of London's poor and their children. Based on what you have read so far, and what you learned in class about the lives of the lower classes and about education in London during this time, what do you think Ignorance and Want represent in this story? Why does the spirit say they are not his, but man's children?
Why does the spirit say to Scrooge, "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" What significance does that have to Scrooge?
Describe the conversation between Scrooge and this spirit that is related to Sabbatarianism and the way Dickens felt about it as we discussed in class.

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

Stave Four - The Last of the Spirits

What is the atmosphere in this stave? Give examples from the novel to support your answer.
How does Scrooge feel about this spirit?
This spirit shows Scrooge several scenes. Describe at least three of them.
What is the point of the long discussion between Joe and Mrs. Dilber? Of whom are they speaking?
When Scrooge asks the spirit to show him some tenderness connected with a death, what does he show him?
Whose grave does the spirit show Scrooge? What does Scrooge promise the spirit he will do?

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

Stave Five - The End of It

How does Scrooge feel when he realizes it is Christmas day?
What does he ask the young boy he sees from his window to do for him? How does this request show that Scrooge has changed?
What does Scrooge do on Christmas day that surprises his nephew Fred? How does Fred react?
What does Scrooge do for Bob Cratchit?
What has Scrooge learned from his visits with the spirits?

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

Effects of A Christmas Carol

After hearing a public reading of A Christmas Carol, a factory owner named Fairbanks was so moved by the story, he decided to “break the custom we have hitherto observed of opening the works on Christmas day.” He gave all his employees a turkey and told them to take the day off. If you were a business owner, how might you have reacted to reading this story? Would you feel the need to be more philanthropic (charitable, giving, generous)? Would you simply think of the story as a work of fiction that has no real bearing on your life? What would you do and why would you do it?
In the novel, Marley is described as wearing a chain around his middle. On this chain there are objects which tell us about the kind of man Marley was in life. For example, Marley was a cold and greedy man, like Scrooge, and he loved money. On his chain there were keys, padlocks, cashboxes and legal documents - all having to do with his job as a money lender. Think of at least five things that would be on your chain if you were Marley. Include things that tell us about your life and interests. Explain why you think these things would be on your chain. Draw a picture of your chain after you describe it.

Click here if you wish to post your answers to my blog! You can also discuss the story with your classmates here.

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