A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens The story is divided into 5 Staves (chapters). There are 3 important themes encompassed throughout the story: Charity Greed Regret Prediction: How did Scrooge get his unusual attitude toward Christmas?

What two aspects of Scrooge’s character does the story reveal?   Characteristic 1 Characteristic 2 The main character cares about people. The main character enjoys the emotional warmth of human interaction. B  The main character likes being isolated and alone. The main character despises happiness and generosity. C  The main character enjoys scaring other people. The main character has learned how to be the perfect consumer. D  The main character is willing to give what he has to help others in need. The main character knows how to be an admirable employer.

Evidence for “the main character likes being isolated and alone”   Evidence for “the main character likes being isolated and alone” Evidence for “the main character despises happiness and generosity” "It's not my business," Scrooge returned. "It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!" "Good afternoon," said Scrooge. "I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?"  B  Scrooge knew [Marley] was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years. Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner. Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire C  Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern; and having read all the newspapers, and beguiled the rest of the evening with his banker's-book, went home to bed. "I live in such a world of fools […] 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?" D  If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "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. He should!" At length the hour of shutting up the counting-house arrived. With an ill-will Scrooge dismounted from his stool, and tacitly admitted the fact to the expectant clerk in the Tank, who instantly snuffed his candle out, and put on his hat.

How does Scrooge’s view of his own actions differ from his nephew’s views? (RL.8.6) A. While both men were acting out of selfishness, Scrooge’s nephew is very forgiving. B. While both were acting out of stubbornness, the nephew is more persistent than Scrooge. C. While the nephew views love as a gift, Scrooge thinks of marriage as another burden or debt. D. While Scrooge would rather avoid human interaction, the nephew prides himself on his work ethic.

STAVE 1 Setting: Narrator: What might Marley’s face in the door knocker foreshadow? What do Marley’s chains symbolize? Is Scrooge suffering from an internal or external conflict? Explain What theme is represented when Scrooge says “Couldn’t I take ‘em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?”

Stave II Describe the First Spirit. What does the light coming from the Ghost of Christmas Past’s head symbolize? What theme is repeated over and over again for Scrooge in his meetings with the Ghost of Christmas Past? What does the character of Fezziwig represent for Scrooge in the novel? When Scrooge’s fiance Belle says, “ an idol has replaced me,” to what is she referring?

Stave III How do the Ghost of Christmas Past and Scrooge part ways? What can you infer from the Ghost of Christmas Present blessing Cratchit’s home with the “sprinkling of his torch”? What is the significance of portraying Ignorance and Want as pitiful children? What do the Ghost of Christmas Present and his torch represent? After visiting the celebrations at the Cratchit’s house and at his nephew’s house, how do Scrooge’s attitude and feelings begin to change? What is happening to the Spirit at the end of this sections? What would cause this to happen?

Stave IV Why is the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come portrayed as a figure with no definable features except a hand and does not speak? What can be inferred when Scrooge hears both the businessman and the persons in the pawnshop talking about someone dying? What was ironic about Scrooge asking the third spirit to let him see some “tenderness connected with a death”? At the end of this section, Scrooge promises to honor Christmas all year. How does Scrooge see this promise as a way to alter his present life? Do you think Scrooge would have changed his life without the help of the Spirits? Explain your answer.

Stave V Specifically, what did Scrooge learn from each Spirit? At the beginning of Stave Five, Scrooge is happy that the “time” before him is his own. Why would time be so important to Scrooge? How has Scrooge changed? Explain the new feelings Scrooge has for the door knocker. Why was Scrooge so pleased with all the sights and sounds of Christmas? Fred and Bob Cratchit have two different initial reactions to the new Scrooge. Explain why the men react differently.