Detailed, grade 9 guaranteed A Christmas carol character notes.
Includes all characters: Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Marley's ghost, Bob Cratchit, Fred, The ghost of Christmas past, The ghost of Christmas present, The ghost of Christmas yet to come, minor characters (Fanny, Ignorance and want, Belle, Mrs C...
A Christmas carol characters
Ebeneezer Scrooge
o Scrooge is the protagonist, and is presented as a miserly and misanthropic businessman with a strong aversion to
Christmas and the society around him in general, with an avaricious outlook
o Dickens follows his journey of redemption as his character evolves into a ‘good’ man who ‘knew how to do
Christmas well’
o This is an impressive character development which becomes a defining feature of both the novella and Scrooge’s
character, this serves two main purposes: firstly to highlight to the reader that anyone is capable of change and
that they should actively try to alter any of their weaknesses, and secondly that Christmas is a time of
compassion and charity so should be celebrated as such
o Dickens achieves these goals by presenting Scrooge as an idealised man in the final stave, subtly informing
readers on what he believed to be the model way of celebrating Christmas
o This is a suggestion which evidently worked, as Dickens is often credited with playing a major role in shaping
Christmas celebrations due to his altruistic and emotional approach, emphasised through the character of
Scrooge
Relationships:
Marley | Dickens draws parallels between the two characters, likening them to such an extent that Scrooge “answered to
both names”. He repeats that Scrooge was his “sole” executor, administrator, assign, residuary legatee, friend and
mourner, and even that he was not “so dreadfully cut up by the sad event”. Both characters are portrayed as unappealing
to Dickens. This arguably causes the reader to feel an initial dislike towards Scrooge, as his lack of emotion towards the
death of someone so central to is life characterises him as hard and unfeeling. In this way, his relationship with Marley
helps the reader gain a better understanding of his character, as they realise his isolation and apathetic nature.
Other members of society | He reveals that “no one every stopped him in the street” to day hello and that “even the
blindmen’s dogs appeared to know him”, avoiding him whenever they could. This highlights the extent of the community’s
dislike towards scrooge. The reader’s own aversion towards his character is built on and furthered, as their negative
opinion of Scrooge is supported by those around him. Therefore, the reader likely feels as though they are making a fair
and correct judgement of his character.
Bob Cratchit | It could be argued that Bob Cratchit has two main roles with regards to Scrooge: firstly to explain why
Scrooge is hated by those around him and secondly to spotlight Scrooge’s changed nature to the reader. In the opening of
the novella Dicken’s describes “dismal” cell that Bob was made to work in, revealing that despite the cold conditions and
small fire he could not “replenish” the coal for fear of being fired. This not only exemplifies the cruel working conditions
that many lower-class workers faced in Victorian society but also acts as an example of Scrooge’s inhumanity, epitomising
his cruelty and cold heart. Towards the end of the novel, Scrooge’s newfound attitude is highlighted when he instructs Bob
to “make up the fires” and buy “another coal scuttle” starkly contrasting his earlier behaviour and so highlighting Scrooge’s
changed nature to the reader.
Fanny | Dickens allows the reader to sympathise with Scrooge and so form an important attachment with the protagonist,
causing them to remain interested in the narrative. Fan is used as a catalyst for Scrooge’s reformation, when the spirit
reminds Scrooge that although she has passed, she left behind a child, he begins to feel ‘uneasy’, highlighting to the reader
that he is beginning to reflect on his actions.
Tiny Tim | His character is used to highlight Scrooge’s developing empathy and so signpost the changes in his character.
This is most apparent when the spirit uses his own words against him – Scrooge asks about Tiny Tim’s future but the ghost
simply replies that if he was going to die ‘he had better do it quick’ and ‘decrease the surplus population’. This prompts
Scrooge to hang ‘his head’ which shows his regret, and the transformation of his character.
Fellow businessmen | Scrooge had always tried to impress these men, revealing that he had ‘made a point of always
standing well in their esteem’. However, when the men discuss his death, they do so as if it is trivial, referring to him as ‘old
scratch’ and quickly moving on to talk about the weather, highlighting that Scrooge’s previous values, that is, his focus on
, materialism and business over family, ultimately leave him isolated in his death. This is perhaps to prompt him to put
things into perspective and realise the error of his way.
Character development:
o The defining aspect of Scrooges character is his remarkable transformation, as he evolves from a miserly
businessman into a man as good as ‘the good old city knew’, therefore it can certainly be argued that he is used
by Dickens to symbolise a greater message which transcends his own character
o It could be argued that he shows this change in order to inform the reader on how they too should change
themselves to align with true Christmas values
o Dickens achieves this message by initially portraying Scrooge as unchanging. By emphasising his stagnant nature
in the opening of the novella, Dickens heightens the impact of his eventual change which suggests to the reader
that change is possible for anyone. His development is gradual rather than sudden, perhaps to increase the
tension for readers as the novel progresses
Stave 1: In the opening stave the narrator is unsympathetic in his dealings with Scrooge, presenting him as wholly
unlikeable through the use of an extended metaphor where Scrooge is represented using the weather.
o Dickens writes that ‘a frost rime was on his head’ and that it was the ‘cold within him’ rather than external
factors that ‘froze his old features’. This presents him as a cold, hostile and unappealing character.
o This description in some ways presents him as an archetypal villain
Stave 2: The ghost of Christmas past teaches Scrooge the value of reflection and causes the reader to sympathise with him,
as we see the emergence of regret and desire to change.
o For example, Scrooge reveals that there ‘was a boy singing a Christmas carol’ at his door and he regrets not giving
him anything, highlighting the first stage of his repentance and therefore development
o This is furthered when he tells the spirit that he wishes ‘to say a word or two’ to Bob Cratchit, highlighting that he
actively wants to make a change which establishes the start of his reformation
Stave 3: The ghost of Christmas present builds on the concept of change. He does this through showing Scrooge the
Cratchit family on Christmas day
o Here, the reader sees Scrooge develop empathy and display compassion towards Tiny Tim, an interest ‘he had
never felt before’, this signposts the extent to which he has changed, as even he himself can recognise the
change within
Stave 4: The final spirit teaches Scrooge that his actions have consequences, causing him to put his material obsessions into
perspective as he realises that his wealth will not keep him company in the event of his death.
o The stave ends with Scrooge repenting profusely, promising that he will remember ‘the lessons’ that the spirits
taught him and change for the better
Stave 5: The narrator reveals that Scrooge was ‘better than his word’, highlighting to the reader that his character has
indeed transformed. Dickens emphasises this by drawing direct contrasts between Scrooge’s behaviour in the final and
opening staves
o He shows how Scrooge donated money to one of the ‘portly gentlemen’ despite his refusal in the first stave
o Furthermore, in the opening stave Bob was sure that if he tried to ‘replenish’ the coal Scrooge would have fired
him, but in the final stave Scrooge instructs Bob to ‘make up the fires’, again making his transformation clear
Key themes:
Time:
o This importance and significance of time is highlighted to Scrooge through his interactions with the spirits, they
teach him valuable lessons surrounding this concept in order to better himself
o The ghost of Christmas past teaches Scrooge the value of reflecting on the past to become a better person. When
Scrooge reflects on his time spent with Fezziwig he realises that he has been treating Bob Cratchit unfairly, by
revealing he wishes he could ‘say a word or two to my clerk right now’
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