EDEXCEL GCSE 9-1 ENGLISH LITERATURE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL PART 1
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- Created on: 24-03-18 17:00
State some key context
Dickens wrote this story to be shared and read out loud at christmas. This worked very well because he had already created a strong narrative voice in the story
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What is the preface of A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens writes a note to his readers to explain that he wants to introduce an entertaining idea to them
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In Stave One: Marley's Ghost the reader is introduced to who?
Ebenezer Scrooge who only cares about making money. It is Christmas Eve and he won't pay to heat the office properly. This means that his clerk, Bob Cratchit, is very cold
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In Stave One: Marley's Ghost how many visitors does Scrooge have?
four christmas visitors: his nephew, Fred; two charity collectors; and a carol singer. Scrooge is rude to all of them and sends them away
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In Stave One: Marley's Ghost Who appears that night?
the ghost of Jacob Marley, his dead business partner, appears. He tells Scrooge that his mean way of life will lead to misery and that three ghosts will visit him to show him the error of his ways
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In Stave Two: The first of the three spirits What does the ghost of Christmas past show Scrooge?
his unhappy childhood
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In Stave Two: The first of the three spirits Where does Scrooge and the ghost of Christmas past visit?
They visit the house of Scrooge's first employer, Fezziwig, who is holding a Christmas party. Scrooge notices how much happiness can be obtained from very little money
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In Stave Two: The first of the three spirits Scrooge sees himself as what?
a young man with Belle, the woman he was engaged to marry. Belle breaks off the engagement because she thinks Scrooge loves money more than he loves her
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In Stave Three: The second of the three spirits The ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to visit what?
Christmas preparations at the Cratchit's house. Scrooge learns that Tiny Tim will not survive unless the future changes. This knowledge upsets Scrooge.
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In Stave Three: The second of the three spirits The ghost takes Scrooge to see what?
different groups of people enjoying themselves at Christmas. Scrooge sees his nephew, Fred, with his family. They are discussing Scrooge and Fred is full of pity for him
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In Stave Three: The second of the three spirits At the end of the night the ghost shows Scrooge what?
two children: a boy, called Ignorance, and a girl, called Want. The ghost says they belong to Man and warns Scrooge to beware them both, but especially to beware of Ignorance
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In Stave Four: The last of the spirits The mysterious ghost of the Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge where?
into the future to witness different conversations about a dead man. No one cares that this dead man has died, and the thieves have so little respect that they have stolen the clothes from his corpse
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In Stave Four: The last of the spirits In contrast, the ghost then takes Scrooge to see who?
the Cratchits who are deeply upset because Tiny tim has died
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In Stave Four: The last of the spirits Finally, Scrooge is shown a gravestone with what on it?
his own name. He realises he is the dead man whom the people were talking about. He promises to change his ways
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In Stave Five: The end of it Waking up in his own bed, back in the present Scrooge is delighted to be given what?
a second chance and makes christmas happy for everyone. He sends a turkey to the cratchits, gives money to the charity collectors, and joins Fred for christmas. The next day he raises Bob's wages and promises to become a friend to Tiny Tim
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State some key context
Dickens toured America reading A christmas Carol to audiences. One observer said Tiny Tim's death brought out so many pocket handkerchiefs that it looked as if a snow storm had somehow gotten into the hall without tickets
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What is the summary of the preface
Dickens speaks directly to his readers and tells us that his story has a key idea behind it. He hopes his readers will not be offended by this idea and will adopt it themselves
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Why is the preface important?
it tells the readers that Dickens is going to be the narrator of this story, he wants us to think seriously about the message in the book and the theme of ghosts is introduced
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Summary of stave one pages 1-3: Marley is dead and Scrooge only cares about money
We learn that Jacob Marley was Scrooge's business partner but has been dead for seven years
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Summary of stave one pages 1-3: Marley is dead and Scrooge only cares about money
Scrooge was the only person at Marley's funeral but immediately after it he went back to work
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Summary of stave one pages 1-3: Marley is dead and Scrooge only cares about money
Scrooge hasn't painted out Marley's name on the sign and doesn't care if it causes confusion
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Summary of stave one pages 1-3: Marley is dead and Scrooge only cares about money
All Scrooge cares about is making money
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Summary of stave one pages 1-3: Marley is dead and Scrooge only cares about money
We are told that Scrooge is colder at heart than the winter weather
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Summary of stave one pages 1-3: Marley is dead and Scrooge only cares about money
We first meet Scrooge on Christmas Eve. He is at work and it is very cold and foggy
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Why is Stave one pages 1-3 important?
We need to know that Marley is dead so we believe in his ghost when it appears
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Why is Stave one pages 1-3 important?
Dickens uses the opening line to hint at the supernatural story to come "Marley was dead to begin with"
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Why is Stave one pages 1-3 important?
Scrooge's mean and harsh nature is described
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Why is Stave one pages 1-3 important?
Dickens uses the weather to set the tone and reflect Scrooge's state of mind
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Key Theme: Loneliness and Isolation
Dickens makes it very clear to us that Scrooge only cares about making money and doesn't have any friends; in fact even guide dogs avoid him
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Key Theme: Loneliness and Isolation
Scrooge was the only person directly affected by Marley's death but hasn't let this upset him. The repetition of "sole" emphasises the fact that Marley was so focused on business he didn't have time for any other friends or family.
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Key Theme: Loneliness and Isolation
It also makes us think of the spiritual "soul"; something this novella is concerned with
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Key Theme: Loneliness and Isolation
This is developed by the simile "solitary as an oyster" suggesting there might be something precious inside Scrooge but it is closed up and protected against the world
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
Scrooge doesn't trust his assistant, Bob cratchit, and keeps an eye on him at work
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
The office is very cold because Scrooge won't spend money on heating it
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
Fred, Scrooge nephew, comes to wish Scrooge a merry Christmas but Scrooge calls him a fool for being happy when he doesn't have much money
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
Two charity collectors ask Scrooge for money to help the poor. Scrooge is rude to them and says the poor should either go to the Workhouse or die
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
The weather gets even worse and we are told a church bell can just be seen through the fog, looking down on Scrooge
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
Away from the offices lots of people are having fun getting ready for Christmas
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
Reluctantly, Scrooge says Bob Cratchit may have Christmas Day off
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Summary of stave one pages 3-10: Scrooge has visitors at the office
Bob goes home in a playful mood and slides on the snow. This contrasts with Scrooge who follows his usual routine and walks through the dark do his "gloomy" home
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Why is Stave one pages 3-10 important?
We learn just how unpleasant Scrooge is to everyone he encounters
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Why is Stave one pages 3-10 important?
The "problem of the poor" is introduced and we are reminded that not everyone has fun at Christmas
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Why is Stave one pages 3-10 important?
We can see what Bob Cratchit experiences in his job
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Key Language: Pathetic Fallacy
The narrator introduces the image of Scrooge counting money even though it is Christmas Eve.
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Key Language: Pathetic Fallacy
It is cold, and the fog is almost alive "pouring in at every chink and keyhole". This is an example of pathetic fallacy (a form of personification) where inanimate objects of nature such as the weather reflects human emotions
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Key Character :Fred
The atmosphere is transformed with the cheerful entrance of Scrooge's nephew, Fred
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Key Character :Fred
He has come to wish Scrooge a merry christmas and represents all Scrooge is not. He is "all in a glow" because he has been walking fast, and is happy. This also suggests that he has a warm personality, the opposite of Scrooge's
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Key Character :Fred
Fred doesn't allow himself to be disheartened by Scrooge's gruff replies, and stands up for himself and his beliefs even though Scrooge calls him a fool
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Key Character :Fred
As well as providing a contrast with Scrooge in terms of character, we also learn Fred does not have Scrooge's wealth- in fact one of the reasons Scrooge calls Fred a fool is because he got married for love rather than money
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is the preface of A Christmas Carol
Back
Charles Dickens writes a note to his readers to explain that he wants to introduce an entertaining idea to them
Card 3
Front
In Stave One: Marley's Ghost the reader is introduced to who?
Back
Card 4
Front
In Stave One: Marley's Ghost how many visitors does Scrooge have?
Back
Card 5
Front
In Stave One: Marley's Ghost Who appears that night?
Back
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