Embedded Files
A Christmas Carol
Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge
Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge
Miserable
Tight-fisted
Redeemed by the end
Scrooge is the main character of Dickens's novella and is first presented as a miserly, unpleasant man. He rejects all offerings of Christmas cheer and celebration as 'Humbug!'.
On Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns that he will be visited by three ghosts. Each of the ghosts shows him a scene that strikes fear and regret into his heart and eventually he softens.
By the end of the story, Scrooge is a changed man, sharing his wealth and generosity with everyone.
Names in A Christmas Carol
Names are very important in A Christmas Carol and to Dickens – he famously kept a notebook filled with suggestions and ideas for character names. Take the name ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’. The now famous name ‘Scrooge’ has become part of our daily lexicon, but the colloquialism ‘to scrouge’ meant to crush or screw. This fits neatly with the description of Scrooge in Stave 4 as an “old screw” – a slang term for a miser. The etymology (history) of ‘Ebenezer’ has Hebrew origins – meaning ‘stone of help’. When placed together Ebenezer Scrooge is a clever oxymoron that represents the two sides of Scrooge’s character, before and after his visitations.
Interestingly, Dickens was a well-known walker (he regularly walked marathons around the streets of London) who plucked real names for his stories. His diaries record the name ‘Ebenezer Scroggie’ from Canongate Kirkyard graveyard, where Dickens mistakenly read Scroggie as a “mean man” and not a ‘meal man’ as it truly stated. This minor error made on a smog-filled evening may have birthed the most famous Christmas character and tale ever told!
Jacob Marley
Jacob Marley
Direct
Persistent
Repentant
Scrooge’s former business partner. Despite not being particularly missed by Scrooge, he was nevertheless the miser’s only friend, and is the figure that haunts and protects him by appearing in place of Scrooge's door knocker and introducing the three Christmas ghosts. He makes manifest the horror of regret with his burdensome chain and describes how he is doomed to wander the earth for eternity, a fate that Scrooge too will face unless he changes his ways.
Credit: LitCharts
Ghost of Christmas Past
Ghost of Christmas Past
Young and old
Commanding
Streaming with light
The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first spirit to visit Scrooge after the ghost of Marley. It arrives as the clock chimes one. It is an ephemeral spirit that appears to be both old and young at the same time with light streaming from the top of its head.
It takes Scrooge to scenes from his own past, showing him visions of his own childhood, of his young adulthood and of happier times. The final scene he presents is one that Scrooge cannot bear to witness: his lost love, Belle, with her family.
Scrooge turns on the ghost and demands to be shown no more. He attempts to extinguish the ghost's light with its own cap, wrestling it to the ground. However, the light that shines from the ghost cannot be put out.
The symbolism of Light
The Ghost has a very strange 'bright clear jet of light' springing from its head which Scrooge can’t bear; he actually asks the Ghost to put its hat on. Dickens uses Scrooge’s response to the light to show us that he is uncomfortable in the presence of this being. Light is traditionally associated with purity, goodness and truth – traits often linked to the innocence of childhood. So here, Scrooge’s reaction to the light coming from the Ghost might indicate that he recognises the difference between how he was as a child and his current approach to life, which Dickens has associated with darkness, cold and fog. Dickens will later use the sunny light of Christmas morning to symbolise new hope for Scrooge.
In addition, the Ghost’s belt 'sparkled and glittered' in different places, making the shape of the Ghost difficult to pin down. Dickens creates a sense of memories always changing and being reshaped by experience, suggesting events from the past can have different significance to us through life.
Ghost of Christmas Present
Ghost of Christmas Present
Jolly
Welcoming
Prophetic
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a huge and vibrant character who appears as the bell, once again, strikes one. It appears in Scrooge's room, surrounded by a feast. The generous nature of this ghost is reflected in the abundant vision of food.
Scrooge is more humble in the presence of this second spirit and is willing to learn any lessons the ghost will show.
It shows Scrooge visions of the world on Christmas Day, including heart-warming scenes of celebration at the homes of Bob Cratchit and Scrooge's nephew, Fred.
Before it leaves Scrooge, the Ghost shows him two 'yellow, meagre' children who are hiding under its cloak. These are called Ignorance and Want and are a warning to Scrooge to change his ways.
Ignorance and Want
Ignorance represents people like Scrooge, who ignore the problems of the poor, create enormous social problems. They create children like this through their willful ignoring of the social problems of the period: lack of education, social care and so on.
Want is symbolising a lack of resources (remember Thomas Malthus and his essay on ‘The Principles of Population’) Because the population has ‘boomed’ in Victorian times, many people ‘want for’ (go without) the basic necessities such as food and shelter. Combined with the ignorance of the rich, this creates massive social problems. It creates children like this.
These children will grow into adults who live a life of crime, causing bigger problems and creating a cycle. It’s important to realise that Ignorance is the boy and question why Dickens might have chosen this gender? Remember many elements in the book link to religion and the Bible.
Dickens was a strong proponent of taking care of poor people in society, and this is why he chose to represent them as poor children as it would create more sympathy in his readers. It is worth remembering here that this is a family book that would have had children listening too.
Dickens is attempting to express that poor children’s futures are literally written on their foreheads and they are doomed as adults just because they were born into poverty.
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Silent
Dark
Ominous
The final Ghost is frightening and eerie. It doesn't say a word to Scrooge, but glides along and points out scenes to him.
The spirit first shows Scrooge a funeral scene, with businessmen wondering about the money that the dead man has left. The Ghost then takes him through dark alleyways to a scene of three people picking through the belongings of the deceased. Scrooge recognises that his own death could be met this way.
Next the Ghost takes him to the Cratchit household where Scrooge is upset to realise that Tiny Tim has died.
Finally the Ghost shows him a tombstone engraved with the name: Ebenezer Scrooge. Clutching at the spirit's robes, Scrooge pledges to change his ways if he can avoid this solitary death. The Ghost disappears and leaves Scrooge clutching at his bed curtains.
Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim
Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim
Bob Cratchit
Bob Cratchit
Humble
Hardworking
Family man
Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's clerk and works in unpleasant conditions without complaint. He obeys Scrooge's rules and is timid about asking to go home to his family early on Christmas Eve.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to visit the Cratchits on Christmas Day, he sees Bob Cratchit carrying his sickly son Tiny Tim, and later raising a toast to Scrooge for providing the feast.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows the Cratchits in a future where Tiny Tim has died and here we see how sensitive Bob Cratchit is. His love for his son is shown through his grief.
In the end, when Scrooge changes his ways for the better, Bob Cratchit is delighted. He welcomes Scrooge's new-found generosity and friendship.
Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim
Kind
Disabled
Thoughtful
Tiny Tim is one of Bob Cratchit's sons. He walks with a crutch and has 'his limbs supported by an iron frame'. Despite his physical difficulties, he is a positive and generous child. He thinks of others and is well-loved by his family.
Scrooge is affected by the child and when he is shown the Cratchit family Christmas by the Ghost of Christmas Present, he worries whether Tiny Tim will live. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows a possible future in which Scrooge's fears are realised and Tiny Tim has died.
At the end of the novella, after Scrooge changes his character, we learn that he becomes like a second father to Tiny Tim.
The Cratchits and Poverty
Dicken’s explores the theme of poverty through Tiny Tim by idealising his character, presenting him as hopeful and grateful despite the distressing situation he is in. He also presents this theme by exploring the relationship between Tiny Tim and Scrooge, highlighting to the reader in an allegorical manner (a metaphor where a character or event is used to convey a broader message about the real world) that the rich have a duty towards the lower classes.
The relationship between Scrooge and Tiny Tim could be interpreted as symbolic of the connection between the upper and lower class, a reading which is synonymous with Dickens’ overarching narrative surrounding social responsibility. When Scrooge is ignorant of the plight of the lower class, dismissing them as simply “the surplus population”, Tiny Tim’s tragic death follows. However, when Scrooge becomes aware of his greater social responsibility, he becomes a “second father” to Tim and this future is averted. It is interesting to note that Dickens presents this relationship as mutually beneficial, as Scrooge regrets not having children. Indeed, he weeps as he wonders what it would have been like for a child who “might have called him father.” This longing is satisfied through his relationship with Tiny Tim.
Tiny Tim’s relationship with Bob is another example of the pathos (a feeling of pity and sadness) which surrounds his character, particularly in the aftermath of Tim’s death. The poignant image of Bob Cratchit walking “slower” than he used to due to the absence of “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder” evokes pity from the reader and establishes a sombre tone to the remainder of the stave. This may perhaps be because Tiny Tim personifies innocence, and so his death is perceived as a loss of innocence from the novella. Therefore, when it is revealed in the final stave that Tiny Tim “did not die” the reader most likely feels relief, as this acts as a restoration of order within the novella.
The religious focus of Tiny Tim’s statement presents him as an exemplary child who embodies the spirit of Christmas. This is heightened by the phrase “God bless us everyone” which highlights that he is compassionate and caring, both of these are traits which further the endearing nature of his character. Dickens quotes this line for the final words of the novella, attributing a sense of importance to his character and leaving the reader with the image of Tiny Tim as a symbol of hope and the positive outcomes which can be achieved through both personal and social reform.
Tiny Tim’s role as a moral compass within the text is evident through the religious imagery, symbols and references he is associated with. He acts as a Dickens’ mouthpiece of goodness, similar to how Jesus acted as God’s messenger to impart the importance of morality to humanity. This phrase also emphasises the Christmas message of tolerance and hope.
The Cratchit Family
The Cratchit Family
Grateful
Charitable
Compassionate
Loving
Cratchit family, fictional characters, an impoverished hardworking and warmhearted family in A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens. The family comprises Bob Cratchit, his wife, and their six children: Martha, Belinda, Peter, two smaller Cratchits (an unnamed girl and boy), and the lame but ever-cheerful Tiny Tim.
Credit: Britannica
Belle
Belle
Loving
Independent
Honourable
In A Christmas Carol, Belle is Scrooge's ex-fiancée who broke up with him because he had changed too much in his pursuit of wealth. They were both poor when they met, and Belle loved the man he was before he became greedy. When Scrooge sees her again through the Ghost of Christmas Past, he is reminded that he lost the love of his life because of his greediness.
Credit: eNotes
Nephew Fred
Nephew Fred
Cheerful
Generous
Kind-hearted
Fred's character serves to contrast with Scrooge's and emphasise how cold, cruel, and miserable he is compared to his nephew. Fred's kind and warm gestures to those less fortunate around him paints him as an embodiment of the Christmas Spirit. He openly gives to charity, sympathises with Bob Cratchit (a representative of the working poor), and repeatedly shows affection and goodwill towards his uncle, even when faced with his scorn.
Although Fred's class is not explicitly told to us, we can infer that he does have some wealth and status from the way he is regarded by those around him, as well as the descriptions of his Christmas party. Unlike his uncle, however, Fred uses his position to help those around him (like when he offers to help Bob's son find a job and offers condolences for Tiny Tim's loss). Dickens is clearly making a comment on the responsibility of those with means to assist others.
Perhaps the biggest difference is his attitude. Fred is a cheery character who always wears a genuine smile and is surrounded by many people who care for him (a stark contrast to his uncle!). The implication to readers is that those who behave like Fred will find true happiness and love, whereas those who continue to be miserly like Scrooge are destined for a much different fate.
Fezziwig
Fezziwig
Generous
Humorous
Jolly
Charles Dickens can write a delightful description, and he certainly does when telling us of Mr. Fezziwig in his story, A Christmas Carol. Mr. Fezziwig is Scrooge's old boss, and we meet him as the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to review scenes of his life. A few well-placed words help us to see exactly what sort of person Fezziwig is. We read at one point that he ''laughed all over himself,'' which shows us how thoroughly jolly this man is. We also learn that he has ''a comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice'' that shows us his jolliness is more than skin deep. If we weren't yet convinced that Mr. Fezziwig is a lovely man, when he says things like ''Hilli-ho, Dick!'' and ''Chirrup, Ebenezer!'' it is difficult not to smile. Dickens makes it quite clear that Mr. Fezziwig is the sort of person one wants to have as an employer.
Mr. Fezziwig also serves as a foil to Ebeneezer Scrooge. A foil in literature is a character who stands in stark contrast to another character in order to illustrate particular things. Just as a white circle is more visible when laid against a black background, Mr. Fezziwig's unbounded joyful nature serves to highlight Mr. Scrooge's cranky and dismal personality. One specific instance where this occurs is when Fezziwig can hardly contain his excitement in telling his apprentices to stop working so they can hurry up and start their Christmas party: ''Yo ho, my boys! ... No more work to-night. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer! Let's have the shutters up''!
This reminds us of how very different Mr. Scrooge was with his own clerk, Bob Cratchit, at closing time on Christmas Eve. Scrooge refused to end the day early, he offered no semblance of Christmas greetings to Bob, and he even complained about Bob wanting Christmas day off from work, saying it was ''A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!''
It is worth exploring the contrasts Fezziwig is used to create and what messages about social justice and Christian values he communicates.
Other Minor Characters
Other Minor Characters
Fan, Scrooge's younger sister and mother of Fred.
The Portly Gentlemen, often called "the Charity Collectors", they come to Scrooge's office seeking donations to help the poor.
Old Joe, a disreputable man who deals in stolen goods.
Dick Wilkins, a fellow apprentice when Scrooge worked for Mr. Fezziwig.
Other Revision Resources
Other Revision Resources
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