A Christmas Carol- Themes of Christmas.

Question 1

Layout

Answer 1

The novella has an unusual layout, using five staves rather than chapters.The five staves reflect the structure of a carol and link the story to the joy of singing.

Question 2

How does Dickens use the theme of Christmas in the novella?

Answer 2

• To highlight Scrooge’s transformation from miser to cheerful man.
• To show the importance of compassion and forgiveness, as represented by Scrooge’s nephew.
• To explore the importance of love and family, as shown through the Cratchits.

Question 4

Stave 2

Answer 4

The Ghost of Christmas past: ‘A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.’

Narrator: ‘fuel was heaped upon the fire; and the warehouse was as snug, and warm and dry, and bright a ball-room as you would desire to see upon a winter’s night.’ (Fezziwig)

Belle: ‘A golden one’.

Question 5

Stave 3

Answer 5

The ghost of Christmas present: ‘Come in! And know me better man!’ (Cheerful tone, embodies Christmas spirit)

Narrator: ‘brave in ribbons’ (past from mother to daughter, despite poverty are determined to look their best on a special day indicating their united front)

“he hoped the people saw him in church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant for them to remember upon Christmas Day who made lame beggars walk and blind men see.” (About Tiny Tim)
(Religious side of Christmas)

Bob Cratchit: ‘I’ll give you Mr Scrooge, the founder of the Feast!’

Narrator: ‘There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour’ (Scrooge’s character beginning to develop & change his ways)

Fred: ‘A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!’

Question 6

Stave 4

Answer 6

Scrooge: ‘I hope to live to be another man from what I was.’ ‘thankful heart’. (Adjective)

Question 7

Stave 5

Answer 7

Scrooge: ‘The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh, Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this!

Narrator: ‘He had never dreamed that any walk – that anything – could give him so much happiness.’

Scrooge: ‘ I am about to raise your salary!’ ( To Bob)

Tiny Tim: ‘God bless us everyone!’

Question 9

Stave 1

Answer 9

‘Tightfisted’ (about Scrooge) (adjective)

‘Solitary as an oyster’ (about Scrooge)(noun)

Fred: ‘A merry Christmas, uncle! God
save you!’

Scrooge: ‘Bah!’ ‘Humbug!’

Scrooge: ‘Every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.’