Plot

 Christmas Carol Revision Activities

Plot Summary

Stave One: 'Marley's Ghost'

We meet Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old businessman, whose partner Jacob Marley died seven years previously. Scrooge hates Christmas, and expresses his views to his nephew Fred, refusing his invitation to dine; to his clerk Bob Cratchit, who shivers beside a miniscule fire; and to two gentlemen who unsuccessfully request a charitable donation from him. Upon returning home, he is visited by the ghost of his dead business partner Marley, who describes the punishment he suffers for his miserly and uncharitable life. Marley's ghost announces that Scrooge will be visited by three spirits who will seek to convince him of the error of his ways.

Stave Two: 'The First of the Three Spirits'

Scrooge is woken by a strange looking phantom who takes him on a trip into his past: the Ghost of Christmas Past. First he sees himself alone at boarding school, not returning home for the holidays as the other boys are, and wishes that he had been kinder to a young boy singing carols. Then he sees himself returning home as an older youth, with his beloved sister Fan, and reflects on his treatment of her son Fred. He witnesses the jovial generosity of his master Fezziwig during his apprentice days, and reflects on the contrast with his treatment of his own employee, Bob Cratchit. Finally, he sees his fiancée parting from him, convinced that he loves money more, and is tortured by the sight of her loving, happy family, which could have been his had he not been gripped by avarice.

Stave Three: 'The Second of the Three Spirits'

Scrooge finds a hearty looking ghost in his apartments, surrounded by bounteous food and sitting in front of a roaring fire. It is the Ghost of Christmas Present. They travel swiftly through the London streets, witnessing the cheerfulness of all the people as the Christmas spirit touches them. Scrooge is taken to the Cratchits' house and witnesses their festivities, which are very joyful despite the small quantities of food they can afford. The only gloomy moment comes when Bob, with great magnanimity, insists on toasting his employer, to the disgust of his wife. Scrooge learns that Tiny Tim will die within a year if he is not nourished better, and is filled with penitence and grief. The Ghost then takes Scrooge to see a huge variety of people celebrating Christmas with great cheer, however humble and poor they may be. Towards the end of their travels, they visit Fred's house, where Fred and his wife and friends are enjoying a merry evening together. Fred insists that he is not angry with Scrooge. He pities him, and insists on toasting him, whatever his wife's objections. The Ghost ends with a warning, showing Scrooge two impoverished children who embody ignorance and want. Ignorance, proclaims the Ghost, is the greatest danger if it is not addressed.

Stave Four: 'The Last of the Spirits'

The last spirit is dark and mute, only communicating by gesture. It is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. This Ghost shows Scrooge various businessmen who are not moved by the death of one of their number. The only emotions inspired by his death are happy ones: the greedy delight of the servants who have plundered his house, and even the shirt from his corpse, and the relief of a family that owed him money. When Scrooge asks to be shown tenderness following a death, he is shown the manner in which the Cratchits treasure the memory of Tiny Tim, and are inspired by the patience he once showed in his sufferings. Finally, Scrooge is shown the grave of the dead man, and his own name is written upon it. He begs for the opportunity to reform, but the Ghost still does not speak. It disappears, and Scrooge is back once again in his apartments.

Stave Five: 'The End of It'

Scrooge is determined to make amends for his former miserliness and is delighted to discover that it is Christmas Day, and the Spirits did all their work in one night. He sends a boy to buy the largest turkey from the poulterers and has it sent to the Cratchits. He strides out on to the streets to go to church, wishing everyone a merry Christmas, and upon encountering one of the gentlemen who was collecting for charity the previous day, he donates a large sum. He goes to his nephew's for Christmas dinner, receiving a hearty welcome. The next day, he gives Bob Cratchit a pay rise. The story ends with an overview of Scrooge's reformed character: generous and charitable, and well known as someone who knows how to celebrate Christmas.

Plot Retrieval Practice

Stave One: ‘Marley’s Ghost’

1. What do we learn about Jacob Marley at the beginning of Stave One?

2. List the people to whom Scrooge expresses his views about Christmas in Stave One.

3. What do two gentlemen try to obtain from Scrooge in Stave One?

4. What has happened to Jacob Marley after death?

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

Stave Two: ‘The First of the Three Spirits’

1. Where does the Ghost of Christmas Past take Scrooge first, and what does it makes Scrooge wish?

2. When he sees his sister Fan, what does Scrooge reflect upon?

3. What does the sight of his old master Fezziwig make Scrooge reflect upon?

4. When he sees the family of his former fiancée, what does Scrooge think of, and how does this make him feel?

Stave Three: ‘The Second of the Three Spirits’

1. What surrounds the Ghost of Christmas Present?

2. To whose house does the Ghost of Christmas Present take Scrooge first?

3. What does Scrooge learn about Tiny Tim, and how does he react?

4. What is Fred’s attitude towards his uncle?

5. What does the Ghost of Christmas Present show to Scrooge at the end of Stave Three?

Stave Four: ‘The Last of the Spirits’

1. What does the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come look like?

2. What are the businessmen discussing? What is their attitude to it?

3. What have the servants in his house done?

4. What emotions are caused by Scrooge’s death, and why?

5. Who else’s death is shown to Scrooge in Stave Four? What are the reactions to this?

6. When he sees his grave, what does Scrooge beg for?

Stave Five: ‘The End of It’

1. What does Scrooge send to the Cratchit family?

2. Where does Scrooge go after sending something to the Cratchits?

3. When he meets one of the gentlemen from Stave One, what does Scrooge do?

4. Where does Scrooge enjoy Christmas dinner?

5. What does Scrooge do when he returns to work after Christmas Day?

6. What kind of man does Scrooge become in the end?