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Stave TwoName:

Learning episode 18

Learning goalsTo explore the presentation of the Ghost of Christmas Past

I think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher thinks I can

Consider our prior learning with a focus on the significance of Marley’s Ghost’s appearance.Identify key details in the text and infer what we learn about the appearance of the Ghost of Christmas PastAnalyse why the Ghost of Christmas Past is presented in such a way in terms of what it could be signalling to the audience.Evaluate the effectiveness of this presentation in preparing the reader for what is to come.

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. Identify three ways in which Marley’s Ghost conforms to traditional views on ghosts.

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2. How does Scrooge react to Marley?

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3. When Marley’s Ghost says ‘I wear the chains I forged in life’, what does he mean? What do the chains symbolise?

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4. Why has Marley’s Ghost come to see Scrooge?

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5. What does Marley’s Ghost tell Scrooge will happen next?2

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Challenge task: explode a quotation

In the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means writing down everything you think you can say about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION

New knowledgeIn the first extract from Stave Two, Scrooge is visited by the first ghost: The Ghost of Christmas Past.

1 When Scrooge awoke, it was so dark, that looking out of bed,2 he could scarcely distinguish the transparent window from the3 opaque walls of his chamber. He was endeavouring to pierce4 the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a 5 neighbouring church struck the four quarters. So he listened6 for an hour.

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Secret, and self-contained, solitary as an oyster

7 To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to 8 seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve;9 then stopped. Twelve! It was past two when he went to bed.

10 The clock was wrong. An icicle must have got into the works.11 twelve!

12 He touched the spring of his repeater, to correct this most13 preposterous clock. Its rapid little pulse beat twelve: and 14 stopped.

15 “Why, it isn’t possible,” said Scrooge, “that I can have slept 16 through a whole day and far into another night. It isn’t17 possible that anything has happened to the sun, and this is 18 twelve at noon!”

19 The idea being an alarming one, he scrambled out of bed, 20 and groped his way to the window. He was obliged to rub the21 frost off with the sleeve of his dressing-gown before he could22 see anything; and could see very little then. All he could 23 make out was, that it was still very foggy, and extremely cold,24 and that there was no noise of people running to and fro, and25 making a great stir, as there unquestionably would have been26 if night had beaten off bight day, and taken possession of 27 the world. This was a great relief, because “three days after 28 sight of this First of Exchange pay to Mr Ebeneezer Scrooge29 or his order,” and so forth, would have become a mere 30 United States’ security if there were no days to count by.

31 Scrooge went to bed again, and thought, and thought, and32 thought it over and over and over, and could make nothing 33 of it. The more he thought, the more perplexed he was; and34 the more he endeavoured not to think, the more he thought.

35 Marley’s Ghost bothered him exceedingly. Every time he36 resolved within himself, after mature inquiry, that it was all37 a dream, his mind flew back again, like a strong spring 38 released, to its first position, and presented the same 39 problem to be worked all through, “Was it a dream or not?”

40 Scrooge lay in this state until the chime had gone three41 quarters more, when he remembered, on a sudden, that the42 Ghost had warned him of a visitation when the bell tolled one. 43 He resolved to lie awake until the hour was passed; and, 44 considering that he could no more go to sleep than go to 45 Heaven, this was perhaps the wisest resolution in his power.

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46 The quarter was so long, that he was more than once 47 convinced he must have sunk into a doze unconsciously, and48 missed the clock. At length it broke upon his listening ear.

49 “Ding, dong!”

50 “A quarter past,” said Scrooge, counting.

51 “Ding, dong!”

52 “Half-past!” said Scrooge.

53 “Ding, dong!”

54 “A quarter to it,” said Scrooge.

55 “Ding, dong!”

56 “The hour itself,” said Scrooge, triumphantly, “and nothing 57 Else!”

58 He spoke before the hour bell sounded, which it now did with 59 A deep, dull, hollow, melancholy One. Light flashed up in the60 room upon the instant, and the curtains of his bed were 61 drawn.

Pen to paper – How is tension created in this extract?Although we know Scrooge is going to be visited by three spirits, Dickens still builds up tension and suspense before the arrival of the first of the three spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Past. In the space below, thought shower all the ways in which tension is created in this part of the text

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How is tension created in this part of the extract?

Challenge question: why do you think Scrooge is so nervous even though he knows he is going to be visited?

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Recapping prior knowledgeLet’s recap our understanding of how Marley’s Ghost was presented at the end of Stave One.

1 The same face: the very same. Marley in his pigtail, usual2 waistcoat, tights and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling,3 like his pigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head.4 The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long,5 and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge6 observed it closely) of cashboxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers,7 deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. His body was 8 transparent: so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking 9 through his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat

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Key question: why has Dickens presented Marley’s Ghost presented in this way?

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New knowledgeDickens presents each of the ghosts in a significant way. As we are reading the next extract, underline any details in the text that reveal something about the Ghost’s appearance.

62 The curtains of his bed were drawn aside, I tell you, by a63 hand. Not the curtains at his feet, nor the curtains at his back,64 but those to which his face was addressed. The curtains of 65 his bed were drawn aside; and Scrooge starting up into a 66 half-recumbent attitude, found himself face to face with the 67 unearthly visitor who drew them: as close to it as I am now to

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68 you, and I am standing in the spirit at your elbow.

69 It was a strange figure – like a child: yet not so like a child as 70 like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium,71 which gave him the appearance of having receded from the 72 view, and being diminished to a child’s proportions. Its hair,73 which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as74 if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the 75 tenderest bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long76 and muscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of 77 uncommon strength. Its legs and feet, most delicately 78 formed, were, like those upper members, bare. It wore a 79 tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a 80 lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a 81 branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular 82 contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed 83 with summer flowers. But the strangest thing about it was, 84 that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear85 jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was 86 doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a87 great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

88 Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing89 steadiness, was not its strangest quality. For as its belt90 sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, 91 and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so92 the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing93 with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now 94 a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of95 which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the 96 dense gloom wherein they melted away. And in the very97 wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as 98 ever.

99 “Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming were foretold to me?”100

asked Scrooge.

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“I am!”

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The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of

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being so close beside him, it were at a distance.

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“Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded.

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“I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

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“Long Past?” inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish

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stature.

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“No. Your past?”

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Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if

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anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire

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to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

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“What!” exclaimed the Ghost, “would you so soon put out,

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with worldly hands, the light I give? Is it not enough that you

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are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me

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through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!”

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Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any

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knowledge of having wilfully “bonneted” the Spirit at any

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period of his life. He then made bold to inquire what

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business brought him here.

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“Your welfare!” said the Ghost.

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Scrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help

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thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more

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conducive to that end. The Spirit must have heard him

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thinking, for it said immediately.

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“Your reclamation, then. Take heed!”

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It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently

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by the arm. “Rise and walk with me!”

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It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the

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weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian

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purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long

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way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers,

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dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon

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him at that time. The grasp, though gentle as a woman’s

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hand, was not to be resisted. He rose: but finding that the

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spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in

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supplication.

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“I am a mortal,” Scrooge remonstrated, “and liable to fall.”

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“Bear but a touch of my hand there,” said the Spirit, laying

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It upon his heart, “and you shall be upheld in more than this!”

Pen to paper – What can I infer about the Ghost of Christmas Past?Look at what you have highlighted and use these details from the text to answer the questions that follow:

Do you think this ghost is old or young? Male or female?

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Is there any significance in its physical appearance? Face? Arms? Hands? Is there any significance in how it is dressed? Holly? Summer flowers? What else do you find interesting about the ghost?

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New KnowledgeWhen Dickens presented Marley’s Ghost, he presented him in a familiar way to Scrooge. However, he also presented Marley’s Ghost as carrying chains. The reader later found out that these chains represented the uncharitable behaviours that Marley had displayed in real life. The chains were / are the reason for Marley visiting Scrooge as Marley does not want Scrooge to end up the same way.

Here, Dickens has chosen to present the ghost in a way that signals to the reader what is about to come. The ghost is called The Ghost of Christmas Past and so Dickens has presented the ghost in a way that shows he is related to the past. There are three ways in which he does this:

The Ghost’s physical appearance is a mixture of all ages Dickens refers to distance more than once in describing the Ghost Dickens emphasises the Ghost’s qualities of indistinctness (not clear to make

out) and impermanence (not a permanent being)

In presenting the ghost in this way we can see that the ghost doesn’t quite belong in the immediate present and therefore hints that his visit will revolve around Scrooge’s past.

Pen to paper – Why is the presentation of the Ghost of Christmas Past significant?

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Explore the presentation of The Ghost of Christmas Past by finding evidence that shows the ghost is related to the past and is therefore signalling to the reader that this is where he is potentially from and where he might be taking Scrooge to.

Judgement Evidence Subject terminology: what is the key word and what type of word is it?

Understanding: what can we infer or interpret about the ghost here?

The Ghost’s physical appearance recalls all ages at once.Dickens refers to distance more than once in describing the Ghost.Dickens emphasises the Ghost’s qualities of indistinctness and impermanence.

ReflectionTo what extent are the methods employed by Dickens to present the ghosts a useful narrative device in signalling what is to come?

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The use of imagery

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Light and dark references are made throughout the novella. In this extract, the light is referred to a number of times. We associate light with purity, goodness and truth and the darkness with deception, wickedness and corruption.

Key task: look at all of the references to light taken from this section of Stave 2. What can you infer about the use of light at this point in the story?

1. ‘Light flashed up in the room upon the instant, and the curtains of his bed were drawn.’

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2. ‘It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful.’

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3. ‘But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all of this was visible’

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4. ‘For at its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness.’

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5. ‘What!” exclaimed the Ghost, “would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give!”

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Now having looked at a range of examples where light is used within this extract, can you explain the significance of light within this part of the novella?

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Learning episode 19

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Learning goalsTo analyse the characterisation of Scrooge and the power of memory

I think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher thinks I can

Understand what memories are and explain their significance on our present.Identify the significance of the location of the first memory. Analyse how Scrooge reacts to what he is shown and examine the impact this has on his characterExplore how a reader’s viewpoint on Scrooge might be affected by their reading of Stave Two

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. Identify two ways in which Dickens create tension in the build up to the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past.

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2. In what ways does the appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Past suggest that the ghost is related to the past or to memories in the past?

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3. Why does Scrooge ask the ghost to put his cap back on?

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Do it now task (1)In this learning episode, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to where he grew up and shows him a series of core memories.

What is your earliest memory?

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Now think about the following quotations. Which quotation mostly reflects your own ideas about the importance of memories?

‘Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.’ (LM Montgomery) ‘Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.’ (Oscar Wilde) ‘There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were

happy.’ (Dante Alighieri)

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ChallengeIn the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means we want you to write down everything you can about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION

New knowledge

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No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him.

In this section from Stave Two, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to the village in which he grew up.

1 As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and 2 stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand. 3 The city had entirely vanished. Not a vestige of it was to be 4 seen. The darkness and the mist had vanished with it, for 5 it was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground.

6 “Good, Heaven!” said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, 7 as he looked about him. “I was bred in this place. I was a 8 boy here!”

9 The Spirit gazed upon him mildly. Its gentle touch, though 10 it has been light and instantaneous, appeared still present to11 the old man’s sense of feeling. He was conscious of a 12 thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with13 a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys and cares long,14 long forgotten!

15 “Your lip is trembling,” said the Ghost. “And what is that 16 upon your cheek?” Scrooge muttered, with an unusual17 catching in his voice, that it was a pimple; and begged the18 ghost to lead him where he would.

19 “You recollect the way?” inquired the Spirit.

20 “Remember it!” cried Scrooge with fervour; “I could walk it21 blindfold.”

22 “Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!” observed23 the Ghost. “Let us go on.”

24 They walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate,25 and post, and tree; until a little market-town appeared in the 26 distance, with its bridge, its church, and winding river. Some27 shaggy ponies now were seen trotting towards them with 28 boys upon their backs, who called to other boys in country 29 gigs and carts, driven by farmers. All these boys were in 30 great spirits and shouted to each other, until the broad fields 31 were so full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear32 it!

33 “These are but shadows of the things that have been,” said 34 the Ghost. “They have no consciousness of us.”

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35 The jocund travellers came on; and as they came, Scrooge36 knew and named them every one. Why was he rejoiced 37 beyond all bounds to see them! Why did his cold eye 38 glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past! Why was39 he filled with gladness when he heard them give each other40 Merry Christmas, as they parted at cross-roads and bye-ways,41 for their several homes! What was merry Christmas to 42 Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas! What good had it 43 ever done him?

Pen to paper – What can we infer about the countryside? Why has the countryside been presented in this way?

In this section, a description of the countryside is provided. Using this description, craft a drawing of this environment, labelling with key details from the text.

Challenge question: why has the countryside been presented in this way?

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New knowledgeThe countryside is incredibly significant in 1843 when A Christmas Carol was written as it would have brought a sense of nostalgia to a Victorian reader. This is because, from 1780, factory owners in Britain began to use coal-fired steam engines to power the machines in big factories, bringing great profits. As a result, traditional farming methods declined as machinery took over which led to the Industrial Revolution. People were no longer needed in the countryside and flocked to the city in search of work. Between 1800 and 1900, the population in London grew by 5 million. This led to over-crowding and hunger, disease and crime. There were no proper drainage / sewage systems and many families had to share one tap / toilet.

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Pen to paper – How does our contextual understanding deepen our understanding of the crafting of the countryside in Stave Two?

How does this add to your understanding of why the countryside has been described in this way?

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How does this description and the contextual backdrop of the Industrial Revolution add to your understanding of Scrooge’s character?

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Pen to paper – How does Scrooge respond to this first memory? Why is his response significant?

When Scrooge is shown the countryside, the place in which he grew up, he responds in a variety of ways. In the chart below, track three of Scrooge’s responses to what he is shown. The first one has been done for you.

Consider

His reaction (E) The method used to convey his reaction (S) What we can infer (U) The significance of this (S)

How would you describe Scrooge’s overall reaction? (J)

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Reaction 1:

‘Good Heaven!’ said Scrooge, clasping his hands together. (E)

The use of the exclamation mark (ST) and the verb (ST) ‘clasping’ reveal Scrooge is excited (J) by what he sees.

This suggests that he has fond memories of his time growing up. (U)

This would lead the reader to think they might be about to see a different side to Scrooge. (Si)

Reaction 2:

Reaction 3:Reaction 4:

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New knowledgeThe Ghost then directs Scrooge to the school – the school to which Scrooge went.

44 “The school is not quite deserted,” said the Ghost. “A 45 solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.”

46 Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.

47 They left the high-road, by a well-remembered lane, and soon48 approached a mansion of dull red brick, with a little49 weathercock-surmounted cupola, on the roof, and a bell50 hanging in it. It was a large house, but one of broken 51 fortunes; for the spacious offices were little used, their walls52 were damp and mossy, their windows broken, and their 53 gates decayed. Fowls clucked and strutted in the stables;54 and the coach-houses and sheds were over-run with grass.55 nor was it more retentive of its ancient state, within; for 56 entering the dreary hall, and glancing through the open doors57 of many rooms, they found them poorly furnished, cold, and 58 vast. There was an earthy savour in the air, a chilly bareness59 in the place, which associated itself somehow with too much60 getting up by candle-light, and not too much to eat.

61 They went, the Ghost and Scrooge, across the hall, to a door62 at the back of the house. It opened before them, and 63 disclosed a long, bare, melancholy room, made barer still by64 lines of plain deal forms and desks. At one of these a lonely65 boy was reading near a feeble fire; and Scrooge sat down66 upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as he 67 used to be.

68 Not a latent echo in the house, not a squeak and scuffle from 69 the mice behind the panelling, not a drop from the half-70 thawed water-spout in the dull yard behind, not a sigh among 71 the leafless boughs of one despondent poplar, not the idle72 swinging of an empty store-house door, no, not a clicking in73 the fire, but fell upon the heart of Scrooge with a softening74 influence, and gave a freer passage to his tears.

75 The Spirit touched him on the arm, and pointed to his 76 younger self, intent upon his reading. Suddenly a man, in 77 foreign garments: wonderfully real and distinct to look at: 78 stood outside the window, with an axe stuck in his belt, and 79 leading by the bridle an ass laden with wood.

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80 “Why, it’s Ali Baba!” Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. “It’s dear81 old honest Ali Baba!” Yes, yes, I know! One Christmas time,82 when yonder solitary child was left here all alone, he did 83 come, for the first time, just like that. Poor boy! And 84 Valentine,” said Scrooge, “and his wild brother, Orson; there85 they go! And what’s his name, who was put down in his 86 drawers, asleep, at the Gate of Damascus; don’t you see him!87 and the Sultan’s Groom turned upside down by the Genii;88 there he is upon his head! Serve him right. I’m glad of it.89 what business had he to be married to the Princess!”

90 To hear Scrooge expending all the earnestness of his nature91 on such subjects, in a most extraordinary voice between 92 laughing and crying; and to see him heightened and excited93 face; would have been a surprise to his business friends in94 the city, indeed.

95 “There’s the Parrot!” cried Scrooge. “Green body and yellow 96 tail, with a lettuce growing out of the top of his head; there he97 is! Poor Robin Crusoe, he called him, when he came home98 again after sailing around the island. ‘Poor Robin Crusoe, 99 where have you been, Robin Crusoe?’ The man thought he100

was dreaming, but he wasn’t. It was the Parrot, you know.

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there goes Friday, running for his life to the little creek!

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Halloa! Hoop! Halloo!”

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Then, with a rapidity of transition very foreign to his usual

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character, he said, in pity for his former self, “Poor boy!” and

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cried again.

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“I wish,” Scrooge muttered, putting his hand in his pocket, and

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looking after him, after drying his eyes with his cuff: “but it’s

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too late now.”

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“What is the matter?” asked the Spirit.

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“Nothing,” said Scrooge. “Nothing. There was a boy singing

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a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have

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given him something; that’s all.”

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The Ghost smiled thoughtfully, and waved its hand: saying as

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it did so, “Let us see another Christmas!”

Pen to paper – How does Scrooge respond to this memory? Why are his responses significant?

In this extract, Scrooge is shown himself at school. Read each of the quotations below and consider Scrooge’s response to what he sees. Then consider what his response reveals about his character.

How does Scrooge react?

What does this reveal about his character?

“The school is not quite deserted,” said the Ghost. “A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.”Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.They went, the Ghost and Scrooge, across the hall, to a door at the back of the house. It opened before them, and disclosed a long, bare, melancholy room, made barer still by lines of plain deal forms and desks. At one of these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire; and Scrooge sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be.Then, with a rapidity of

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transition very foreign to his usual character, he said, in pity for his former self, “Poor boy!” and cried again.Scrooge says: “Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something; that’s all.”

What effect have these memories had on Scrooge?

ReflectionNow consider your own viewpoint on Scrooge and how this might have shifted from Stave One. Complete the following sentences to show your point of view.

In Stave One, I thought Scrooge was ______________ because _______________

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However, the Ghost of Christmas Past reveals a different side to Scrooge – a

______________ side to Scrooge. This is because _________________________

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The use of allusion

Allusion is an indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural literary or political significance. In Stave One, we have already seen an allusion to Hamlet to prepare use for Marley’s Ghost. In Stave Two, there are further allusions.

"The Spirit touched him on the arm, and pointed to hisyounger self, intent upon his reading. Suddenly a man, inforeign garments: wonderfully real and distinct to look at:stood outside the window, with an axe stuck in his belt, andleading by the bridle an ass laden with wood. 'Why, it's Ali Baba.' Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. 'It'sdear old honest Ali Baba. Yes, yes, I know. One Christmastime, when yonder solitary child was left here all alone,he did come, for the first time, just like that."

   - A Christmas Carol, Stave 2: The First of the Three Spirits

Ali Baba was a character from A thousand and one Arabian Knights. He was a poor woodcutter in the story who gained entrance to the treasure cave of the 40 thieves by saying the magic words “Open, Seasame!”

Challenge question: why do you think Dickens has included this allusion in Stave Two?

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Learning episode 20

Learning goalsTo compare and contrast Scrooge and the other characters we have been introduced to in

Stave One and TwoI think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher

thinks I canUnderstand the purpose of Fan’s visitIdentified how Fan’s characterisation contrasts against Scrooge’s.Identified how a range of characters could be contrasted against Scrooge.Consider the reason why Dickens has contrasted Scrooge against each of these characters

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. Where is the first place Scrooge is taken to and why is this environment significant?

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2. How does Scrooge react to being in this environment?

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3. When Scrooge sees himself as a young boy in the school house, how does his reaction change?

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4. What regret does he now have?

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ChallengeIn the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means we want you to write down everything you can about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION

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But what did Scrooge care!

New knowledgeIn the last learning episode Scrooge was shown a memory of him as a young school boy. In this extract, we remain at the school but shift to a later time period when Scrooge is a little older.

1 Scrooge’s former self grew larger at the words, and the room2 became a little darker and more dirty. The panels shrunk, 3 the windows cracked; fragments of plaster fell out of the 4 ceiling, and the naked laths were shown instead; but how all5 this was brought about, Scrooge knew no more than you do.6 He only knew that it was quite correct; that everything had 7 happened so; that there he was, alone again, when all the 8 other boys had gone home for the jolly holidays.

9 He was not reading now, but walking up and down 10 despairingly. Scrooge looked at the Ghost, and with a 11 mournful shaking of his head, glanced anxiously towards the 12 door.

13 It opened; and a little girl, much younger than the boy, came 14 darting in, and putting her arms about his neck, and often15 kissing him, addressed him as her “Dear, dear brother.”

16 “I have come to bring you home, dear brother!” said the child,17 clapping her tiny hands, and bending down to laugh. “To18 bring you home, home, home!”

19 “Home, little Fan?” returned the boy.

20 “Yes!” said the child, brimful of glee. “Home, for good and all.21 Home, for ever and ever. Father is so much kinder than he22 used to be, that home’s like Heaven! He spoke so gently to 23 me one dear night when I was going to bed, that I was not 24 afraid to ask him once more if you might come home; and he25 said Yes, you should; and sent me in a coach to bring you. 26 And you’re to be a man!” said the child, opening her eyes, 27 “and are never to come back here; but first, we’re to be 28 together all the Christmas long, and have the merriest time29 in all the world.”

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30 “You are quite a woman, little Fan!” exclaimed the boy.

31 She clapped her hands and laughed, and tried to touch his 32 head; but being too little, laughed again, and stood on tiptoe33 to embrace him. Then she began to drag him, in her childish34 eagerness, towards the door and he, nothing loath to go,35 accompanied her.

36 A terrible voice in the hall cried, “Bring down Master Scrooge’s37 box, there!” and in the hall appeared the schoolmaster38 himself, who glared on Master Scrooge with a ferocious39 condescension, and threw him into a dreadful state of mind40 by shaking hands with him. He then conveyed him and his41 sister into the veriest old well of a shivering best-parlour42 that ever was seen, where the maps upon the wall, and the 43 celestial and terrestrial globes in the windows, were waxy44 with cold. Here he produced a decanter of curiously light45 wine, and a block of curiously heavy cake, and administered 46 instalments of those dainties to the young people: at the same47 time, sending out a meagre servant to offer a glass of 48 “something” to the postboy, who answered that he had49 rather not. Master Scrooge’s trunk being by this time tied 50 on to the top of the chaise, the children bade the 51 schoolmaster good-bye right willingly; and getting into it, 52 drove gaily down the garden-sweep: the quick wheels 53 dashing the hoar-frost and snow from off the dark leaves of54 the evergreens like spray.

55 “Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have 56 withered,” said the Ghost. “But she had a large heart!”

57 “So, she had,” cried Scrooge. “You’re right. I will not gainsay58 it, Spirit. God forbid!”

59 “She died a woman,” said the Ghost, “and had, as I think,60 children.”

61 “One child,” Scrooge returned.

62 “True,” said the Ghost. “Your nephew!”

63 Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly,64 “Yes.”

Pen to paper – How is Fan presented and what does this add to our 28

understanding of Scrooge?The focus in this extract is on Fan, Scrooge’s younger sister who arrives to take him home one Christmas. Let’s consider the presentation of Fan and how this contrasts with our understanding of Scrooge; the purpose of her visit and whether there are any links between Fan and Dickens own relationship with his sister. Use the chart on the following page to record your ideas.

Her appearance Her relationships with her brother and her father

The kind of person she is

Her adult life How Scrooge responds to the memory of his sister

Why do you think Dickens includes the moment where she arrives to take Scrooge home?

Could you make any links between Scrooge and Fan and the relationship Dickens had with his own sister?

Challenge task: imagine you are Scrooge having just witnessed the scene at the school room in which Fan arrives to take you home for Christmas. This event has made you consider your relationship with Fred, Fan’s son. What would you want to say to him at this point and why? Write your note below:

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Pen to paper – What contrasts can we identify between Scrooge and the other characters? Why are these contrasts significant?

In this section of the novella, Scrooge is contrasted with his sister as their demeanours are quite different. Across Stave One, we are also introduced to a range of characters with whom Scrooge is contrasted. For each character below, identify how Scrooge is contrasted and then explore the reasons why Dickens has presented this contrast – what would he have wanted his readers to realise about Scrooge as a result?

Fred Bob Cratchit The charity collectors

Fan

How is Scrooge contrasted with this character?Why is he contrasted with this character? What did Dickens want his readers to infer about Scrooge?

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ReflectionWhich one of these characters do you think Scrooge has the most to learn from and why?

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What does Fan represent?

It can be argued that Fan represents the best of youth, innocence and goodness, and makes Scrooge’s childhood gleam compared to his cold, dark present. To what extent do you agree with the above statement? Use evidence from the text in your response.

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Learning episode 21

Learning goalsTo analyse the presentation of Fezziwig and consider how he represents benevolence and

generosity, something Scrooge needs to learnI think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher

thinks I canRead and understand the key extract by being able to summarise what happens within itIdentify key details in the text that help us to make inferences about FezziwigExplore the methods Dickens has used to present Fezziwig and Scrooge’s reaction to FezziwigConsider how the theme of benevolence and generosity is presented through the character of Fezziwig

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. How does Dickens show that there has been a shift in time?

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2. Identify two adjectives that are used to describe Fan. What can you infer?

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3. Identify two verbs that are used to describe Fan. What can you infer?

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4. Why has Fan arrived at the school?

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5. What happened to Fan?

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ChallengeIn the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means we want you to write down everything you can about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION

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What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ‘em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

New knowledgeIn this learning episode we are going to explore what happens when Scrooge visits Mr Fezziwig.

1 Although they had but that moment left the school behind2 them, they were now in the busy thoroughfares of a city, 3 where shadowy passengers passed and repassed; where 4 shadowy carts and coaches battled for the way, and all strife5 and tumult of a real city were. It was made plain enough, by 6 the dressing of the shops, that here too it was Christmas 7 time again; but it was evening, and the streets were lighted8 up.

9 The Ghost stopped at a certain warehouse door, and asked10 Scrooge if he knew it.

11 “Know it!” said Scrooge. “Was I apprenticed here!”

12 They went in. At sight of an old gentleman in a Welsh wig,13 sitting behind such a high desk, that if he had been two 14 inches taller he must have knocked his head against the 15 ceiling. Scrooge cried in great excitement.

16 “Why, it’s old Fezziwig! Bless his heart; it’s Fezziwig alive 17 again!”

18 Old Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock,19 which pointed to the hour of seven. He rubbed his hands; 20 adjusted his capacious waistcoat; laughed all over himself,21 from his shoes to his organ of benevolence; and called 22 out in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice:

23 “Yo-ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!”

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24 Scrooge’s former self, now grown a young man, came briskly25 in, accompanied by his fellow ‘prentice.

26 “Dick Wilkins, to be sure!” said Scrooge to the Ghost. “Bless27 me, yes. There he is. He was very much attached to me, 28 was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear, dear!”

29 “Yo ho, my boys!” said Fezziwig. “No more work to-night. 30 Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer! Let’s have the 31 shutters up,” cried old Fezziwig, with a sharp clap of his 32 hands, “before a man can say Jack Robinson!”

33 You wouldn’t believe how those two fellows went at it! They34 charged into the street with the shutters – one, two, three - 35 had ‘em up in their places – four, five, six – barred ‘em and 36 pinned ‘em – seven, eight, nine – and came back before you37 could have got to twelve, panting like race horses.

38 “Hilli-ho!” cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high39 desk, with wonderful agility. “Clear away, my lads, and let’s 40 have lots of room here! Hilli-ho, Dick! Chirrup, Ebenezer!”

41 Clear away! There was nothing they wouldn’t have cleared42 away, or couldn’t have cleared away, with old Fezziwig 43 looking on. It was done in a minute. Every movable was44 packed off, as if it were dismissed from public life for45 evermore; the floor was swept and watered, the lamps were46 trimmed, fuel was heaped upon the fire; and the warehouse47 was as snug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ball-room, as 48 you would desire to see upon a winter’s night. In came a 49 fiddler with a music-book, and went up to the lofty desk, and 50 made an orchestra of it, and turned like fifty stomach-aches.51 in came Mrs Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile. In came52 the three Miss Fezziwigs, beaming and lovable. In came 53 the six young followers whose hearts they broke. In came 54 all the young men and women employed in the business. In55 came the housemaid, with her cousin, the baker. In came56 the cook, with her brother’s particular friend, the milkman.57 In came the boy from over the way, who was suspected of58 not having board enough from his master; trying to hide59 himself behind the girl from next door but one, who was 60 proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress. In they61 all came, one after another; some shyly, some boldly, some62 gracefully, some awkwardly, some pushing, some pulling;63 in they all came, anyhow and everyhow. Away they all went, 64 twenty couple at once; hands half round and back again the

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65 other way; down the middle and up again; round and round in66 various stages of affectionate grouping; old top couple67 always turning up in the wrong place; new top couple starting68 off again, as soon as they got there; all top couples at last,69 and not a bottom one to help them! When this result was 70 brought about, old Fezziwig, clapping his hands to stop the 71 dance, cried out, “Well done!” and the fiddler plunged his hot72 face into a pot or porter, especially provided for that purpose.73 but scorning rest, upon his reappearance, he instantly began74 again, though there were no dancers yet, as if the other 75 fiddler had been carried home, exhausted, on a shutter, and 76 he were a brand-new man resolved to beat him out of sight,77 or perish.

78 There were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more 79 dances, and there was cake, and there was negus, and there80 was a great piece of Cold Roast, and there was a great piece81 of Cold Boiled, and there were mince pies, and plenty of beer.82 But the great effect of the evening came after the Roast and 83 boiled, when the fiddler (an artful dog, mind! The sort of man84 who knew his business better than you or I could have told it85 him!) struck up “Sir Roger de Coverley.” Then old Fezziwig86 stood out to dance with Mrs Fezziwig. Top couple, too; with87 a good stiff piece of work cut out for them; three or four and88 twenty pair of partners; people who were not to be trifled89 with; people who would dance, and had no notion of walking.90 But if they had been twice as many – ah, four times – old91 Fezziwig would have been a match for them, and so would92 Mrs Fezziwig. As to her, she was worthy, to be his partner in93 every sense of the ter. If that’s not high praise tell me higher,94 and I’ll use it. A positive light appeared to issue from 95 Fezziwig’s calves. They shone in every part of the dance like96 moons. You couldn’t have predicted, at any given time, what97 would have become of them next. And when old Fezziwig98 and Mrs Fezziwig had gone all through the dance; advance99 and retire, both hands to your partner, bow and curtsey,100

corkscrew, thread-the-needle, and back again to your place,

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Fezziwig “cut” – cut so deftly, that he appeared to wink with

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his legs, and came upon his feet again without a stagger.

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When the clock struck eleven, this domestic ball broke up.

10 Mr and Mrs Fezziwig took their stations, one on either side of36

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the door, and, shaking hands with every person individually

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as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas.

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When everybody had retired but the two ‘prentices, they did

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the same to them; and thus the cheerful voices died away,

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and the lads were left to their beds; which were under a

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counter in the back-shop.

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During the whole of this time Scrooge had acted like a man

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out of his wits. His heart and soul were in the scene, and

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with his former self. He corroborated everything,

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remembered everything, enjoyed everything, and underwent

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the stranger agitation. It was not until now, when the bright

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faces of his former self and Dick were turned from them,

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that he remembered the Ghost, and became conscious

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that it was looking full upon him, while the light upon its

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head burnt very clear.

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“A small matter,” said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so

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full of gratitude.”

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“Small!” echoed Scrooge.

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The spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who

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were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig; and when

12 he had done so, said:37

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“Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your

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mortal money: three or four, perhaps. Is that so much that

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he deserves this praise?”

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“It isn’t that,” said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and

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speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter self.

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“It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or

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unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a

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pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks;

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in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add

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and count ‘em up: what then? The happiness he gives is

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quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

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He felt the Spirit’s glance, and stopped.

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“What is the matter?” asked the Ghost.

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“Nothing particular,” said Scrooge.

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“Something, I think?” the Ghost insisted.

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“No,” said Scrooge, “no. I should like to be able to say a word

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or two to my clerk just now. That’s all.”

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His former self turned down the lamps as he gave utterance

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side in the open air.

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“My time grows short,” observed the Spirit. “Quick!”

Pen to paper – What can I deduce about the character of Fezziwig? What do Scrooge’s reactions imply?

Having the read the extract in which Scrooge is taken back to where he was an apprentice at Fezziwig’s, answer the following questions using full sentences to test your understanding of what we have read.

1. In line 11, what does the use of exclamatory sentences reveal about Scrooge’s reaction to being taken back to Fezziwigs?

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2. What emotion does Scrooge express in line 15 and why?___________________________________________________________________

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3. What does the phrase ‘Bless his heart’ reveal about Scrooge’s feelings towards Fezziwig and the feelings he once had for people?

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4. Identify three adjectives between lines 18 and 22 that show that Fezziwig was a happy man to be around.

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5. What contrast in Scrooge’s character is immediately evident between lines 41-48?

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6. Between lines 48-63, what phrase is repeated and what are we meant to infer from this?

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7. Between lines 78-81, identify three things that made this a good party.___________________________________________________________________

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8. Between lines 103-110, identify two details in the text that suggest Mr and Mrs Fezziwig are kind hearted people.

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9. How does Scrooge react to the vision he is shown?___________________________________________________________________

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10. What point do you think the Ghost is making when he says “A small matter,” said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.”

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11. Why does Scrooge argue that it is no small matter between lines 129-136?

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12. Why do you think Scrooge wants to speak with his clerk, Bob Cratchit?___________________________________________________________________

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ReflectionConsider the presentation of Fezziwig in this section of Stave Two. How does Dicken’s use the character of Fezziwig and the party he throws to promote the idea of benevolence and generosity?

Judgement Evidence ExplanationWe see that Fezziwig has

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invited many who could be seen as deserving or disadvantaged.

Dickens uses repetitive structures in his writing in this passage to suggest how many people attend his party.

Dickens seems to want to focus on the relationship between apprentices and their masters or mistresses in this part of the story?

Fezziwig as the antithesis of Scrooge

An antithesis is a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. Fezziwig can be described as the antithesis of Scrooge. In the space below, using our Judgement, Evidence, Subject Terminology, Understanding (Inference and Interpretation) and Significance, explore how Fezziwig is presented as the antithesis of Scrooge.

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Learning episode 22

Learning goalsTo consider the careful construction of Bella in supporting Dickens’ overall message

I think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher thinks I can

Read the extract and understand why Bella has come to see Scrooge.Analyse key quotations to show the change in Scrooge’s characterEvaluate the presentation of Bella to support Dickens’ overall message

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. Identify three adjectives or verbs used to describe Fezziwig and what this helps us to infer about his character.

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2. How do we know the party is a success?

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3. What makes Fezziwig a great host?

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4. How does Scrooge react to seeing Fezziwig?

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5. What does Scrooge’s discussion with the Ghost of Christmas Past reveal about whether what Fezziwig does is a sign of generosity?

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Challenge question: how has Scrooge reacted to the memories he has been shown so far?

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Challenge

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In the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means we want you to write down everything you can about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION

New knowledgeThe Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to one last place and one last memory.

1 “My time grows short,” observed the Spirit. “Quick!”

2 This was not addressed to Scrooge, or to anyone whom he 3 could see, but it produced an immediate effect. For again4 Scrooge saw himself. He was older now; a man in the prime 5 of his life. His face had not the harsh and rigid lines of later6 years; but it had begun to wear the signs of care and avarice.7 There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye, which8 showed the passion that had taken root, and where the 9 shadow of the growing tree would fall.

10 He was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair young girl in a 11 mourning dress: in whose eyes there were tears, which 12 sparkled in the light that shone out of the Ghost of Christmas

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As a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time, the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.

13 Past.

14 “It matters little,” she said softly. “To you, very little. Another15 idol has displaced me; and, if it can cheer and comfort you in 16 time to come as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause 17 to grieve.”

18 “What idol has displaced you?” he rejoined.

19 “A golden one.”

20 “This is the even-handed dealing of the world!” he said. 21 “There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there22 nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the 23 pursuit of wealth!”

24 “You fear the world too much,” she answered gently. “All25 your other hopes have merged into the hope of being beyond26 the chance of its sordid reproach. I have seen your nobler27 aspirations fall off one by one, until the master passion, Gain,28 engrosses you. Have I not?”

29 “What then?” he retorted. “Even if I have grown so much 30 wiser, what then? I am not changed towards you.”

31 She shook her head.

32 “Am I?”

33 “Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both34 poor, and content to be so, until, in good season, we could 35 improve our worldly fortune by our patient industry. You are36 changed. When it was made you were another man.”

37 “I was a boy,” he said impatiently.

38 “Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are,”39 she returned. “I am. That which promised happiness when40 we were one in heart is fraught with misery now that we are 41 two. How often and how keenly I have thought of this I will42 not say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release43 you.”

44 “Have I ever sought release?”

45 “In words. No. Never.”45

46 “In what, then?”

47 “In a changed nature; in an altered spirit; in another48 atmosphere of life; another Hope as its great end. In49 everything that made my love of any worth or value in your 50 sight. If this had never been between us,” said the girl, 51 looking mildly, but with steadiness, upon him; ‘tell me, would52 you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!”

53 He seemed to yield to the justice of this supposition in spite54 of himself. But he said, with a struggle, “You think not.”

55 “I would gladly think otherwise if I could,” she answered. 56 “Heaven knows! When I have learned a Truth like this, I know57 how strong and irrestible it must be. But if you were free 58 today, tomorrow, yesterday, can even I believe that you 59 would choose a dowerless girl – you who, in your very60 confidence with her, weigh everything by Gain: or, choosing61 her, if for a moment you were false enough to your one 62 guiding principle to do so, do I not know that your 63 repentance and regret would surely follow? I do; and I 64 release you. With a full heart, for the love of him you once65 were.”

66 He was about to speak; but, with her head turned from him,67 she resumed:

68 “You may – the memory of what is past half makes me hope69 you will – have pain in this. A very, very brief time, and you 70 will dismiss the recollection of it gladly, as an unprofitable71 dream from which it happened well that you awoke. May you72 be happy in the life you have chosen!”

73 She left him, and they parted.

Pen to paper – Why has Belle come to see Scrooge? What change is occurring within him?

In this extract, we are introduced to Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée. Belle has come to see Scrooge because she is unhappy in their relationship. Below is what Belle says to Scrooge and lies at the heart of her unhappiness. Think very carefully about her choice of words and note down your connotations of these words and the inferences it leads to make about Scrooge’s character.

“It matters little,” she said softly. “To you, very little. Another idol has displaced

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me; and, if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come as I would have tried to do. I have no just cause to grieve.”

“What idol has displaced you?” he rejoined.

“A golden one.”Another idol has displaced you. What are your connotations of ‘idol’?

A golden one. What are your connotations of ‘golden’?

What does its use suggest about Scrooge’s character?

Do you think the use of ‘golden’ here could be ironic?

To strengthen the change we see in Scrooge’s character, Dickens crafts a metaphor.

7 There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye, which8 showed the passion that had taken root, and where the 9 shadow of the growing tree would fall.

Use the image below to help you begin to consider the metaphor and what it helps to suggest about the transformation in Scrooge.

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Pen to paper – How has Dickens presented Bella? Why has he presented her in this way?

Dickens uses Bella to help convey how our actions can impact upon others. Bella is presented as a kind, honest and perceptive character for this reason. We are supposed to feel sympathy for her and disappointment with Scrooge, which, in turn, would hopefully make Dickens’ readers consider their own behaviour. In the chart below, explore the ways in which we view Bella in this section of the text.

Impressions of Bella EvidenceRecently bereaved ‘she wears a mourning dress’

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Upset

Kind

Unhappy in the relationship

Honest

Fair-minded

Perceptive

In Victorian times, an engagement to be married was regarded as a formal contract. If the engagement was broken off, the person who did so could be sued for ‘breach of promise.’ How does this help to convey the change in Scrooge and the impact this has had on Bella?

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ReflectionWhat impact do you think Belle’s visit will have had on Scrooge?

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To what extent could you argue that Belle is just as self-centred as Scrooge?

Use the Judgement, Evidence, Subject terminology, Understanding (Inference and Interpretation) and Significance structure to help you respond to the question above.

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Learning episode 23

Learning goalsTo analyse the presentation of Belle in the more recent past and the effect this has on Scrooge

I think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher thinks I can

Read the key extract and understand the scene that is being presented.

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Explore what the shift between the third person narration and the first person narration reveals about Scrooge’s reaction to the sceneEvaluate why the husband’s comments might have the most significant impact on Scrooge.

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. How do we know Scrooge has changed in this extract?

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2. What does Belle say has replaced her in Scrooge’s affections?

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3. How does Belle feel about this?

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4. Why does the breaking of the engagement support the severity of feeling Belle has about the change in Scrooge?

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ChallengeIn the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means we want you to write down everything you can about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION52

New knowledgeThe Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge one final scene.

1 “Spirit!” said Scrooge, “show me no more! Conduct me home.2 Why do you delight to torture me?”

3 “One shadow more!” exclaimed the Ghost.

4 “No more!” cried Scrooge. “No more! I don’t wish to see it.5 show me no more!”

6 But the relentless Ghost pinioned him in both his arms, and7 forced him to observe what happened next.

8 They were in another scene and place; a room not very large9 or handsome, but full of comfort. Near to the winter fire sat

10 a beautiful young girl, so like that last that Scrooge believed11 it was the same, until he saw her, now a comely matron, 12 sitting opposite her daughter. The noise in this room was 13 perfectly tumultuous, for there were more children there than14 Scrooge in his agitated state of mind could count; and, unlike15 the celebrated herd in the poem, they were not forty children16 conducting themselves like one, but every child was17 conducting itself like forty. The consequences were

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As a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time, the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.

18 uproarious beyond belief; but no one seemed to care; on the19 contrary, the mother and daughter laughed heartily, and 20 enjoyed it very much; and the latter, soon beginning to mingle21 in the sports, got pillaged by the young brigands most 22 ruthlessly. What would I not have given to be one of them!23 Though I never could have been so rude, no, no! I wouldn’t24 for the wealth of all the world have crushed that braided25 hair, and town it down; and for the precious little show, I26 wouldn’t have plucked it off, God bless my soul! To save my27 life. As to measuring her waist in sport, as they did, bold28 young brood, I couldn’t have done it; I should have 29 expected my arm to have grown round it for a punishment, 30 and never came straight again. And yet I should have 31 dearly liked, I own, to have touched her lips; to have 32 questioned her, that she might have opened them; to have 33 looked upon the lashes of her downcast eyes, and never 34 raised a bluish; to have let loose waves of hair, an inch of 35 which would be a keepsake beyond price: in short, I should36 have liked, I do confess, to have had the lightest licence of a37 child, and yet to have been man enough to know its value.

38 But now a knocking at the door was heard, and such a rush39 immediately ensued that she, with laughing face and 40 plundered dress, was borne towards it the centre of a flushed41 and boisterous group, just in time to greet the father, who 42 came home attended by a man laden with Christmas toys43 and presents. Then the shouting and the struggling, and the 44 onslaught that was made on the defenceless porter! The 45 scaling him, with chairs for ladders, to dive into his pockets, 46 despoil him of brown-paper parcels, held on tight by his 47 cravat, hug him round his neck, pummel his back, and kick48 his legs in irrepressible affection! The shouts of wonder and 49 delight with which the development of every package was50 received! The terrible announcement that the baby had been51 taken in the act of putting a doll’s frying pan into his mouth, 52 and was more than suspected of having swallowed a 53 fictitious turkey, glued on a wooden platter! The immense54 relief of finding this a false alarm! The joy, and gratitude,55 and ecstasy! They are all indescribable alike. It is enough56 that, by degrees, the children and their emotions got out of57 the parlour, and, by one stair at a time, up to the top of the 58 house, where they went to bed, and so subsided.

59 And now Scrooge looked on more attentively than ever, when60 the master of the house, having his daughter leaning fondly61 on him, sat down with her and her mother at this own fireside;

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62 and when he thought that such another creature, quite as 63 graceful and as full of promise, might have called him father,64 and been a springtime in the haggard winter of his life, his65 sight grew very dim indeed.

66 “Belle,” said the husband, turning to his wife with a smile, “I67 saw an old friend of yours this afternoon.”

68 “Who was it?”

69 “Guess!”

70 “How can I? Tut, don’t I know?” she added in the same 71 breath, laughing as he laughed. “Mr Scrooge.”

72 “Mr Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was73 not shut up, and he had a candle inside, I could scarcely 74 help seeing him. His partner lies upon the point of death, I75 hear; and there he sat alone. Quite alone in the world, I do 76 believe.”

77 “Spirit!” said Scrooge in a broken voice, “remove me from this78 place.”

79 “I told you these were shadows of the things that have been,”80 said the Ghost. “That they are what they are do not blame81 me!”

82 “Remove me!” Scrooge exclaimed, “I cannot bear it!”

83 He turned upon the Ghost, and seeing that it looked upon84 him with a face, in which some strange way there were 85 fragments of all the faces it had shown him, wrestled with it.

86 “Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!”

87 In the struggle, if that can be called a struggle in which the 88 ghost with no visible resistance on its own part was 89 undisturbed by any effort of its adversary, Scrooge observed90 that its light was burning high and bright; and dimly91 connecting that with its influence over him, he seized the 92 extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down93 upon its head.

94 The Spirit dropped beneath it, so that the extinguisher95 covered its whole form; but though Scrooge pressed it down

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96 with all his force, he could not hide the light, which streamed97 from under it, in an unbroken flood upon the ground.

98 He was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome by an 99 irresistible drowsiness; and, further, of being in his own 100

bedroom. He gave the cap a parting squeeze, in which his

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hand relaxed; and had barely time to reel to bed, before he

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sank into a heavy sleep.

Pen to paper – What can we infer about Belle’s life now? In this section of Stave 2, Scrooge is shown Belle once more. She now lives with her husband and children. This scene is described in full. Using details from the text between lines 8-22 and 38-58, produce a quick visualisation of the scene and choose key words from the text itself that has helped you to arrive at that visualisation.

Pen to paper - How does Scrooge react to this last vision?The narration changes from the third person to the first person in this section which is a sudden shift and is used to gain an insight into how Scrooge responds when he is shown the vision. This is the insight we get:

What would I not have given to be one of them!Though I never could have been so rude, no, no! I wouldn’tfor the wealth of all the world have crushed that braided

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hair, and torn it down; and for the precious little show, Iwouldn’t have plucked it off, God bless my soul! To save mylife. As to measuring her waist in sport, as they did, boldyoung brood, I couldn’t have done it; I should have expected my arm to have grown round it for a punishment, and never came straight again. And yet I should have dearly liked, I own, to have touched her lips; to have questioned her, that she might have opened them; to have looked upon the lashes of her downcast eyes, and never raised a bluish; to have let loose waves of hair, an inch of which would be a keepsake beyond price: in short, I shouldhave liked, I do confess, to have had the lightest licence of achild, and yet to have been man enough to know its value.

This is the first time we really see inside Scrooge’s head. In the chart below, record Scrooge’s thoughts.

Aspects of the scene he doesn’t understandThoughts he has about himself in the scene Desires

Regrets

Pen to paper – Why might the husband’s comments be the most painful of them all for Scrooge?

When the husband returns home, he informs Belle that he saw Scrooge in his office. Consider his perception and then, more importantly, Scrooge’s reaction to what is playing out.

Read what Belle’s husband says about Scrooge below and then consider what he is implying about Scrooge when he says it.

How does Scrooge react to this final vision? What does this imply?

‘Mr Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was not shut up, and he had a candle inside, I could scarcely

“Spirit!” said Scrooge in a broken voice, “remove me from this place.”

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help seeing him. His partner lies upon the point of death, I hear; and there he sat alone. Quite alone in the world, I do believe.”

“Remove me!” Scrooge exclaimed, “I cannot bear it!”

What is Belle’s husband implying about Scrooge?

“Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!”

Scrooge observed that its light was burning high and bright; and dimly connecting that with its influence over him, he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head.

Challenge question: why does Scrooge react in this way when he sees and hears what Belle’s husband says about him? Why might this be the hardest memory to be confronted with?

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ReflectionImagine you are Scrooge. Write a brief letter to Belle, articulating your response to what you have been shown. To be extending, think about how you feel in response to what you have seen, the regrets you have and what you wish you could say to Belle now. Challenge: include key words from the text.

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To

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (an article taken from The Guardian)John Mullan

Friday 30 December 2011 22.55 GMT First published on Friday 30 December 2011 22.55 GMT

When Dickens's biographer Claire Tomalin came to the Guardian Book Club to discuss A Christmas Carol, it seemed inevitable that we would begin with its author's influence on Christmas as we now know it. His story has, as one member of the audience observed, become an endlessly revisited myth, from the early dramatisations that soon followed its publication, to the various film versions. Its peculiar mixture of horror and comedy seemed to accommodate adaptations – even the Muppet version was not thought a travesty. One reader advocated Scrooged, the 1988 imitation in which Bill Murray is a sour TV executive who, in the course of a broadcast of A Christmas Carol, is himself visited by three spirits who convert him to benevolence and the joys of Christmas. Tomalin thought that Dickens, ever the populist, would have relished the proliferation of film and TV versions.

Another questioner wondered about Scrooge's complete change of heart at the end of the story, and whether his creator had ever experienced such a transformation in his own sentiments. Tomalin pointed out that Scrooge's transformation begins very early in the tale, set in motion by his painful compassion for his younger self. But this was a book whose author "set himself up to be an exceptionally good man", even if his feelings about himself would later change. A Christmas Carol was the work of a morally confident writer.

It was a confidence that readers could not resist unpicking. In particular, there was much discussion of Dickens and women, including the paradox that he appears to have had a mistress for many years while writing novels in which any woman who has sex with a man outside marriage seems irreversibly doomed. What about women in A Christmas Carol? We looked at the paragraph which describes Scrooge's nephew's nameless wife, with her dimples and her "ripe little mouth, that seemed made to be kissed". "Bless those women!" exclaims the narrator. "She was what you call provoking, you know." "Not very nice," thought Tomalin, who declined to defend this particular ebullition, while adding that Dickens was perhaps expressing "what men like to think".

A member of the audience who agreed that this scene was "cringy" called our attention to another, comparable scene that he thought seemed "somewhat odd" to any reader nowadays. Scrooge is compelled by the "relentless" Ghost of Christmas Past to see the woman who was once his sweetheart as "a comely matron", married and surrounded by her children. They are romping on her as she awaits her husband's return. "There's a bit where Dickens starts imagining how much fun it would be to have an adult awareness of a woman's body, but be a child jumping on her." It is certainly an extraordinary part of the story, not least because it is entirely surplus to the requirements of the narrative.

Looking at the excited, mischievous children, the intrusive narrator, who sounds so much like the author himself, exclaims: "What would I not have given to be one of them!" He says he would not have dared to be as "bold" as them, but "I should have dearly liked, I own, to have touched her lips … to have let loose waves of hair … in short, I should have liked, I do confess, to have had the lightest licence of a child, and yet been man enough to know its value."

It is a passage that we have all perhaps passed over without notice, yet now, when pointed out to us, it seemed utterly strange. Dickens was defended by another reader, who pointed out the representation of the indefatigably cheerful Fezziwigs, where Mr Fezziwig's wife is "worthy to be his partner", and therefore "the best sort of wife to have". Women were not always objectified in his fiction. But the first reader had clearly thought long and hard about Dickens's peculiarities in this regard, quoting Orwell on his "quasi-incestuous

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reveries" (Orwell wrote of the "incestuous atmosphere" of some of the domestic relationships that Dickens glorifies, especially in the endings of his novels). He wondered whether this was more generally a Victorian attitude, or whether it was unique to Dickens.

Tomalin thought that it was just as odd as the reader suggested, but also "brilliant" – one of those fearless interventions in the narrative that were Dickens's forte. It is a "pre-Freudian" piece of writing, said a third reader; no one would dare write in this way after Freud. There was about it, and about Dickens in other passages, a "lack of censorship" that made him remarkable. It was as if he could not help himself.

What do you think about the women in Stave Two? Do you think they are objectified or that they are Scrooge’s salvation?

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Learning episode 24

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Learning goalsTo consider the purpose of the Ghost of Christmas Past and the effect he has on Scrooge.

I think I can To be extending, we need to be able to My teacher thinks I can

Identify the visions that Scrooge has been shown by the Ghost of Christmas Past.Explore whether the Ghost of Christmas Past succeeds in helping Scrooge to reflect upon his actions and learn from his past.Evaluate whether money can buy you happiness in Stave Two.

Do it now taskRecap questions:

1. What vision is Scrooge shown last by the Ghost of Christmas Past?

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2. The narration moves from third person to first person. Why?

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3. What do we learn about Scrooge’s feelings when he is shown this vision?

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4. What does Belle’s husband say about Scrooge?

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5. How does Scrooge react?

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ChallengeIn the space below, explode the quotation you have been given. This means we want you to write down everything you can about this quotation. Think about

Which words are key Which techniques have been used The inferences you can make The possible effect that this quotation might have on a reader.

EXPLODE A QUOTATION

Recapping prior knowledgeIn this stave, Scrooge is shown a number of visions. List these visions in order:

1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________________

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The clerk in the Tank involuntarily applauded. Becoming immediately sensible of the impropriety, he poked the fire and extinguished the last frail spark for ever.

Challenge: bearing in mind these visions, what does the reader learn about Scrooge in the past?

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Pen to paper – What has Scrooge learnt through these vision?The Ghost of Christmas Past is the personification of memory. He shows Scrooge several memories in the hope that this will instigate change within Scrooge. In this learning episode, we want you to consider why the Ghost of Christmas Past has shown Scrooge each of these memories – what is it that Scrooge has to learn from each?

What might Scrooge’s regret be?

What might the Ghost of Christmas Past hope Scrooge might learn from this memory?

The countryside and growing up.

His school days.

His sister, Fan, coming to take him home for Christmas.

His work for Fezziwig.

His relationship with Belle.

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What evidence is there to suggest Scrooge has reflected and learnt from these visions?

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Pen to paper – Does money buy you happiness? At the start of the novella, we learn that Scrooge is money hungry. He has become obsessed by it and puts having money ahead of everything else. How does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge that you do not need to have money in order to be happy? Again, think about each vision in turn.

Is money and its contribution to happiness at the heart of this vision? Why? Why not?

The countryside and growing up.

His school days.

His sister, Fan, coming to take him home for Christmas.His work for Fezziwig.

His relationship with Belle.

ReflectionChoose one word to summarise your thoughts / feelings towards Scrooge at this point. Explain your choice of word.

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Formative assessment

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From Stave 2, ‘The First of the Three Spirits’ – Scrooge is taken back to the area in which he grew up.

1 As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and 2 stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand. 3 The city had entirely vanished. Not a vestige of it was to be 4 seen. The darkness and the mist had vanished with it, for 5 it was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground.

6 “Good, Heaven!” said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, 7 as he looked about him. “I was bred in this place. I was a 8 boy here!”

9 The Spirit gazed upon him mildly. Its gentle touch, though 10 it has been light and instantaneous, appeared still present to11 the old man’s sense of feeling. He was conscious of a 12 thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with13 a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys and cares long,14 long forgotten!

15 “Your lip is trembling,” said the Ghost. “And what is that 16 upon your cheek?” Scrooge muttered, with an unusual17 catching in his voice, that it was a pimple; and begged the18 ghost to lead him where he would.

19 “You recollect the way?” inquired the Spirit.

20 “Remember it!” cried Scrooge with fervour; “I could walk it21 blindfold.”

22 “Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!” observed23 the Ghost. “Let us go on.”

24 They walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate,25 and post, and tree; until a little market-town appeared in the 26 distance, with its bridge, its church, and winding river. Some27 shaggy ponies now were seen trotting towards them with 28 boys upon their backs, who called to other boys in country 29 gigs and carts, driven by farmers. All these boys were in 30 great spirits and shouted to each other, until the broad fields 31 were so full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear32 it!

Question 4 – A Christmas Carol

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4 (a) Explore how Dickens presents Scrooge’s reaction to his past in this extract.Give examples from the extract to support your ideas.

(b) In this extract, Scrooge reacts to the vision of the place in which he grew up.Explain how Scrooge reacts to the visions he is shown elsewhere in Stave Two.In your answer, you must consider:

What is shown How he reacts

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