It recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. In the process, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. A Christmas Carol.
Essential ‘A Christmas Carol’ quotes - Revision 2022.
Stave 1 - Introduction to Scrooge and Stave 2 - Ghost of Christmas Past - Stave 3 - Ghost of Christmas Present - visit
Marley’s Ghost Scrooge’s past - school days, Fezziwig, Belle. Cratchit, Fred and others on Christmas day.
● ‘Marley was a dead as a doornail’ ● ‘Unearthly visitor’ (ghost of ● ‘Jolly giant’ (Ghost of Christmas Present)
● ‘Tight-fisted’ Christmas Past) ● ‘Come in and know me better man’ (Scrooge is
● ‘Squeezing, wrenching, grasping’ (Scrooge) ● ‘Like a child, yet not so like a invited to meet and know Christmas)
● Hard and sharp as flint’ (Scrooge) child as an old man’ (Ghost ● ‘Its sparkling eye, its open hand, cheery voice’
● ‘Solitary and self contained as an oyster’ of Christmas past) (Ghost of Christmas present)
(Scrooge) ● ‘Tunic of pure white’ (Ghost ● ‘Why to a poor one most?’ asked Scrooge.
● ‘The cold within him froze his old features’ of Christmas past) ‘Because it needs it most’ (Ghost explains about
(Scrooge) ● ‘From it's head a bright giving)
● ‘Edge his way along the crowded paths of life’ clear jet of light’ (Ghost of ● ‘Mrs Cratchit…brave in ribbons’ (Mrs C has
(Scrooge) Christmas past) made the best of her old clothes.)
● ‘Cold, bleak, biting weather’ (Pathetic fallacy) ● ‘Ghost of ….your past’ ● ‘Tiny Tim, … his limbs supported by an iron
● ‘Fog came pouring in at every chink and (Ghost of Christmas past) frame’
keyhole’ (Pathetic fallacy) ● ‘Arms long and muscular.. ● ‘As good as gold… and better’ (Bob describes
● ‘Dismal cell’ (where Bob has to work) Hold of uncommon strength’ (Ghost of Tiny Tim)
● ‘All in a glow, face was ruddy and handsome; Christmas Past - power of the past) ● ‘..Scrooge with an interest he had had never
his eyes sparkled’ (Fred - warm - contrast with ● ‘The voice was soft and gentle’ (Ghost of felt before.’Tell me if Tiny Tim will live’ (Scrooge
Scrooge)) Christmas past - kindly, caring) cares about Tiny Tim - he is changing)
● ‘A kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time’ ● ‘A solitary child, neglected by his friends’ ● ‘If he be like to die, he had better do it, and
(Fred - Christmas) (Scrooge at school) decrease the surplus population’ (Ghost
● ‘Open up their shut-up hearts freely’ (Fred - ● ‘A lonely boy reading…’ reminds Scrooge of his cruel attitude towards
Christmas) ● ‘Scrooge wept to see his poor, forgotten self’ the poor.)
● ‘Can’t afford to make idle people merry’ ● ‘Father is so much kinder than he used to be’ ● ‘Scrooge was the Ogre of the family’ (what the
(Scrooge attitude towards the poor.) (Change is possible) Cratchits feel about Scrooge)
● ‘Many thousands are in want of common ● ‘He has the power to make us happy or ● ‘A place where miners live, who labour in the
necessaries’ (Portly gentlemen - desperate lives unhappy’ (Scrooge about Fezziwig - a good bowels of the earth.. Singing a Christmas song.’
of the poor) boss) (How Christmas is celebrated even in bleak
● ‘Decrease the surplus ● ‘Another idol has displaced me… A golden places.)
population’ (Scrooge - one’ (Belle about Scrooge’s love of money) ● ‘His wealth is of no use to him. He don’t do any
attitude towards the ● ‘You fear the world too much’ (Belle sees that good with it’. (Fred about Scrooge.)
death of the poor) Scrooge’s love of money comes from fear.) ● ‘They were a boy and a girl.
● ‘Darkness is cheap and ● ‘Might have called him father and been a Yellow, meagre, ragged,
Scrooge liked it.’ springtime in the haggard winter of his life’ scowling, wolfish’ (Ignorance
● ‘I wear the chains I forged (regret that he didn’t have a family) and Wan - symbol of poverty -
in life, I made them link by hiding under the skirts of
link’ (Marley’s ghost) Christmas)
● ‘No rest, no peace. ● ‘They are Man’s’ (Ignorance
Incessant torture of remorse’ (Marley’s death) and Want are created by
● ‘Mankind was my business’ mankind’s selfishness.)
● He tried to say ‘Humbug’ but stopped at the
first syllable.’ (The start of Scrooge’s
redemption (change))
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller halaansir. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £8.16. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
