“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens Dramatized by Frederick Gaines Vocabulary and Literary Terms Power Point

transform (v) To change the form or appearance of He takes some coal from the mound and puts it into a small bucket; as he carries it to a corner of the stage, the stage area is transformed from street to office. pg. 253

solitude (n) the state of being alone Scrooge: Why? Why did you get married? Fred: Why, because I fell in love with a wonderful girl. Scrooge: And I with solitude. Good afternoon. Pg.254

provision (n) a supplying of needs At this time of year it is more than usually desirable to make some slight provision for the poor and destitute who suffer greatly from the cold. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir. pg 256

emerge (v) To come into sight The little girl emerges from the shadows. P. 257

surplus (adj.) extra, more than is needed “If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population.” P. 256

endeavor (v) to try Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude, a few of us are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. pg. 256

abundance (n) wealth We choose this time because it is the time, of all others, when want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices. pg. 256

anonymous (adj.) not having one’s name known Gentleman Visitor: May I put you down for something? Scrooge: Nothing Gentleman Visitor: You wish to be anonymous? Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. p.256

repulsive (adjective) intense disgust Scrooge found poor people repulsive.  He couldn’t even look at them when he walked past them on the street. The shelter’s nonperishable food spoiled and the smell was repulsive. Burt's scratching, belching and chewing with his mouth open was a repulsive experience for his fellow dinner guests.

wretched adjective (deserving of pity, miserable) Ebenezer Scrooge was a wretched, lonely old man because of his stingy, miserly attitude. No one, including Scrooge, took notice of the prisoners living in wretchedly overcrowded conditions. Scrooge built up a huge empire by taking advantage of wretched people who had to sell their home or starve. Be careful!  This is a negative word like repulsive but it does NOT mean the same thing!

destitute (n) poor; poverty-stricken At this time of year it is more than usually desirable to make some slight provision for the poor and destitute who suffer greatly from the cold. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir. pg 256

reassurance (n) A restoring of confidence The root word -assure means to make safe or convince. The prefix –re means again and again

incoherent (adj.) without connection or harmony, not clear, not making sense The bell sounds grow to a din, incoherent as in a dream, then suddenly fall silent. p.256 The root -cohere means “forms a whole, be logical” The prefix –in means not

summon (v) To call for or send for with authority or urgency, to order to come or appear Scrooge sits up in bed, listens, and hears the chains of Marley coming up the stairs. Scrooge reaches for the bell pull to summon Sparsit. P. 259

(n) well-being welfare At this point in the story, Scrooge was just visited by Marley. Marley warned Scrooge that if he didn’t change his life, he would be forced to spend eternity burdened by chains and guilt. Scrooge: Why are you here? First Spirit: Your welfare. Rise. Walk with me.

mortal (adj) of the earth, not a spirit, alive Talking to the First Spirit – Scrooge: I am mortal still. I cannot pass through air.

currency (n) money Scrooge’s sweetheart says: “It is no currency that you can buy and sell with, but we can live with it.

pledge (n) something given to guarantee fulfillment of a promise Scrooge’s sweetheart pauses, then returns the ring Scrooge gave her as his pledge.

charitable (adj) generous in giving Bob Cratchit: I only know one thing on Christmas: that one must be charitable. Mrs. Cratchit: I’ll drink to his health for your sake and the day’s, not for his. The root word is charity = generous in giving money The suffix able = able to

Linger (verb) stay in place longer than necessary The poor children would linger around Scrooge’s door just for the opportunity to carry his lantern.  They hoped for a few pennies in return for lighting his way.  P.25 •I lingered at the bus stop hoping to see Beth when she got done work. •“Don’t linger too long,” my mom said, “I want to get home soon.”   

Destitute adjective (poor and poverty-stricken) Ebenezer Scrooge was so predictable. Everyone knew he was stingy and mean so they tried to avoid him when he walked down the street. P.258 The weather this year has not been very predictable. The weathermen never know if it is going to be cold or hot, wet or dry! My friend’s behavior is very predictable. I can always depend on her to be happy and upbeat.

About the Author Charles Dickens 1812 – 1870 He wrote A Christmas Carol to bring about change in England. He wanted people to see the problems of the poor and work to do something about it. His childhood gave him ideas for his writing. His father was imprisoned for debt. He worked in a rat-infested factory at age 12.  

Drama Characters and plot are developed through dialogue and action. - Literature in play form. Dialogue – conversation between characters Stage direction – instructions for the director, actors, and the stage crew. Scenery – items that are on stage to help create the setting. Props – objects the actors use during the play

Drama Plot – the sequence of related events in the play exposition rising action climax falling action resolution Scenes – in drama, action is divided up. When the setting changes, a new scene begins Acts – two or more scenes are grouped into acts in a play.

Drama Characters: Main (major) character Minor character Narrator – sets the scene for the drama and may comment on what happens Foil – characters that provide a sharp contrast to the qualities of the main character.

How to read drama Read the play silently – you should understand the story before you try to act it out. Read stage directions carefully – you cannot understand what is happening if you don’t follow where everyone is. Get to know the characters – visualize the characters as they speak. Picture the set and props as the characters move about. Keep track of the plot – look for the conflict and get involved in the story. Watch for the action and how the conflict gets resolved. Read the play with others – read only the words of the characters, not the stage directions. Listen to the other actors too!