A Christmas Carol Novel by Charles Dickens, Play by Frederick Gaines

Images and Discussion QuestionsEnglish 7/7H Mrs. Gennosa

Scene 1Fred wishes his Uncle Ebenezer Scrooge a Merry Christmas. Describe Fred and compare him to Scrooge.

The Gentleman Visitor arrives and asks for a donation to help the poor. What does he say on page 256 to convince Scrooge to care enough to donate? How does he describe the condition many poor people are in?

Scrooge asks the Gentleman Visitor several questions to defend his decision to not donate. These questions are repeated in the play to show Scrooge his faults. Identify and copy down the questions (page 256). What is he implying in these questions? What do they show about Scrooge’s character?

Bob Cratchit asks for Christmas Day off. How does Scrooge react?What does Scrooge say to Fred and Cratchit as a response to their wishes for a Merry Christmas?

Scene 2The ghost of Jacob Marley appears to Scrooge on Christmas Eve, seven years from the day of his death. What are some of the warnings Marley shares with Scrooge?

Describe Jacob Marley’s condition. How and why is he suffering in the afterlife?

Scene 3The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge several scenes from his own life. Describe Scrooge’s childhood, based on what is shown to Scrooge. What do we learn about Scrooge?

Scrooge then sees a Christmas from his young adulthood, when he worked for Mr. Fezziwig. Describe what Scrooge is remembering about Fezziwig. How do we know that Scrooge is beginning to reflect upon himself?

Scrooge then sees his former fiancé breaking up with him. Why does she leave him, and what does Scrooge say about it now?

The Ghost of Christmas Present comes next. He guides Scrooge to Bob Cratchit’s house. On their way they pass a funeral procession for a child. Describe the scene at the Cratchit’s house. What does the funeral foreshadow?

Scrooge asks to see “happiness in Christmas Present” and the ghost offers to take Scrooge to his nephew Fred’s house. In the play Scrooge refuses to go, but in the film he does go and sees how happy everyone is at Fred’s house. In the play, why do you think Scrooge does not want to go?

Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if Tiny Tim will live, and the ghost replies, “If he be like to die, he had better do it and decrease the surplus population.” Explain why this quote is significant.

At the feet of the Ghost of Christmas Presence are two thin, pale children wearing filthy rags. They are Hunger and Ignorance. The ghost tells Scrooge, “They walk your streets, look to you for comfort. And you deny them. Deny them not too long Scrooge. They will grow and multiply, and they will not remain children.” Explain this quote.

Scene 5 The Ghost of Christmas Yet to come says nothing but shows Scrooge what will happen on the day he dies. What does Scrooge see? How does Scrooge react to what he sees?

Scrooge next observes the family of Bob Cratchit. Describe what has happened and how is Scrooge partly responsible for it? How does Scrooge react?

Why do you think the author decided to make the ghost remain silent?

Scene 6Scrooge pledges to reform himself and begs to have a second chance at life. He says, “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” Explain this quote.

Describe what Scrooge does to prove he is a changed man.