1. A Christmas Carol
Written by Charles Dickens
Play by Isreal Horovitz

2. Describe when and where the story takes place
Setting
Describe when and where the story takes place
Time Period
Place/
Surroundings
Historical Context
Time of Year

3. Why is the setting important in the play?

4. Why is the setting important in the play?

5. Why is the setting important in the play?

6. Why is the setting important in the play?

7. Why is the setting important in the play?

8. Why is the setting important in the play?

9. A Christmas Carol
Act 1 Scene 1

10. 1. Who is Marley?
Marley was Scrooge’s business partner. Marley lived a lonely life with Scrooge as his “sole executor… administrator…assign… residuary legatee…friend… and mourner.” (p. 2)

11. 2. In the very beginning of the play, why is Marley upset with Scrooge?
Marley is upset because Scrooge is so obsessed with money and wants to imprison someone that owes him money. This is like his Dicken’s real-life experience with his father.

12. 3. What key background information about Scrooge is provided in scene one?
The characterization of Scrooge is shown by describing him as, “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” which shows his negative personality. Furthermore, Scrooge keeps himself secluded and only cares for himself, “warning all human sympathy to keep its distance.” (p. 3)

13. A Christmas Carol
Act 1 Scene 2

14. 4. How does Scrooge treat his clerk, Bob Cratchit?
Scrooge treats Cratchit poorly, by keeping the office cold. Scrooge also bitterly reacts to Cratchits’ shivering by threating him to “find employ elsewhere” (p. 4) if Cratchit asks for more coal.

15. 5.Why does Scrooge’s nephew come to see him?
Scrooge’s nephew comes to invite Scrooge to dinner on Christmas. However, Scrooge refuses.

16. 6. How does Scrooge feel about Christmastime?
Scrooge does not believe in the generosity of the season or celebrating the holiday. He even states, “If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about… should be boiled with their own pudding, and be buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” (p. 4)

17. 7. When did Marley die?
Seven years ago on Christmas Eve.

18. 8. Why do the portly and the thin man visit Scrooge?
The portly and thin man want Scrooge to donate money since, “Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.” (p. 6)

19. 9. What can you infer that Cratchit gives to the two men?
After Cratchit silently squeezes something into the thin man’s hand, he replies thank you. Since the men were looking for a donation from Scrooge, the reader can infer they’ve received a donation from Cratchit.

20. 10. What does your answer to question number nine reveal about Cratchit’s character?
Cratchit is kind and generous. S- T- E- A- L-

21. A Christmas Carol
Act 1 Scene 3

22. 11. What foreshadows the fact that Scrooge will have an unusual evening?
The door knocker that changes into Marley’s face, ghostly music, the ringing of bells throughout his house, and the sound of chains all foreshadow the fact that Scrooge will have an unusual evening.

23. 12. How does Marley reappear to Scrooge?
Marley appears through open doors, dressed as usual in life, but with “chains, cashboxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses fashioned of steel.” (p. 9)

24. 13. How does Scrooge react when he sees Marley again?
Scrooge does not believe it’s Marley. Scrooge thinks he’s hallucinating from “an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato…” (p. 9)

25. 14. Why does Marley continue to walk the earth?
“It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-man…” (p. 9) However, Marley did not care about humanity or help any of his fellow men, so he must bear the consequences after death.

26. 15. What do the chains that Marley’s ghost must wear symbolize?
His chains symbolize the things he made a priority in life, and now all the regrets of his wrongdoings, greed, and sins.

27. 16. Why is Marley visiting Scrooge? (What is his purpose?)
Marley visited Scrooge “… to warn [Scrooge] that [he has] yet a chance and hope of escaping [Marley’s] fate.” (p. 10). This fate is that of walking the earth with chains that represent all the past wrongdoings.

28. 17. Why doesn’t Scrooge want Marley to leave?
Scrooge is afraid and frightened of what might come. He still believes he is hallucinating the occurrence, but the thunder and lightning slightly bring him to realize what is about to happen.

29. A Christmas Carol
Act 1 Scene 4

30. 18. Based on how Scrooge acts, does he believe that the next ghost will come? Explain your responses!
Scrooge does not quite believe that the next ghost will come. He thinks about the day ahead and how everything is going the way it should during the nighttime. Scrooge comments that he “cannot any way afford to lose [his] days…” (p. 12). showing that he plans to continue in his normal, daily routine.

31. 19. Why does the Ghost of Christmas Past say that he is visiting Scrooge?
The Ghost of Christmas Past is visiting Scrooge for his
welfare (health, happiness, or fortunes)
and his reclamation (the process of claiming something back).

32. A Christmas Carol
Act 1 Scene 5

33. 20. Scrooge visits his old boarding school
20. Scrooge visits his old boarding school. What does Scrooge see there that upsets him?
Scrooge sees a young boy, that the reader infers is a young Scrooge. Past remarks that, “a solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still” (p. 13) even after everyone went home. Scrooge is reminded how alone and in his own head he was as a child.

34. 21. What does this make him think of from the night before?
“There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol outside my door last night. Should like to have given him something: that’s all.” (p. 14) Scrooge made the connection between his lonely childhood and the lonely child singing.

35. 22. Who is Fan?
Fan is Scrooge’s little sister, about 6 years old.

36. 23. What type of person is Fan
23. What type of person is Fan? Describe her character traits and explain how she fits these traits.
Fan is playful, loveable, and kind. S- T- E- A- L-

37. 24. From the scenes that Christmas Past shows the reader, what can you infer about Scrooge’s childhood?
Readers can infer that Scrooge has a very lonely childhood, but had a comfort in his little sister Fan. Scrooge’s father was strict, which alienated Scrooge from his family for many Christmases. His childhood was not one filled with love and understanding.

38. 25. Next, the spirit and Scrooge move on to a warehouse
25. Next, the spirit and Scrooge move on to a warehouse. Who does Scrooge work for?
Scrooge works for Fezziwig as an apprentice.

39. 26. Who is Dick Wilkins?
Dick Wilkins is Scrooge’s fellow apprentice; his work friend.

40. 27. How is Fezziwig a different boss than Scrooge?
Fezziwig treats his employees with dignity and grace. Unlike Scrooge, Fezziwig willingly gives them the day off, throws a Christmas party, and celebrates the holiday.

41. 28. How does Scrooge say that he will treat his employees
28. How does Scrooge say that he will treat his employees? Does he live up to it? Explain.
Scrooge states he “shall treat my apprentices with the same dignity and the same grace.” (p. 16) However, Scrooge does not live up to these expectations. He treats Cratchit poorly and without much care for Cratchit’s personal life.

42. 29. Next, Scrooge is taken to a scene with him and his fiancé
29. Next, Scrooge is taken to a scene with him and his fiancé. What reason does she give Scrooge for leaving him?
His fiancé claims that a golden idol, or money, has replaced her. She believes their contract was “made when [they] were both poor and content to be so” (p. 17) and now Scrooge longs for wealth and riches over happiness.

43. 30. What does this scene with the young woman reveal about how Scrooge changed as he got older?
This scene reveals that Scrooge is capable of love. However, his main love at this time has changed from humanity to money. One can infer that he was afraid to be poor, thus became greedy.

44. 31. How does the flashback of Scrooge’s fiancé breaking off their engagement help develop the plot?
The flashback shows old Scrooge recognizing the mistake he made and wanting to change the outcome. The reader sees a slight change in Scrooge, as well. The reader is also provide information as to why Scrooge is so lonely and bitter.

45. A Christmas Carol
Act 1
Significant quotes

46. 32. “Business. Mankind was my business
32. “Business!... Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”
This quote demonstrates what Marley now knows he needed to focus on in his life, but didn’t. The important part of Marley’s life should have been on giving to those who needed it, in the form of kindness, money, and time, rather than the importance he placed on business.

47. 33. “If I could work my will, 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!”
This quote demonstrates Scrooge’s feelings about the spirit of Christmas in the beginning of the play. He does not understand why people would spend money they don’t have on such frivolous items and act joyful when their lives are full of sadness and poverty. He is a miser and uncaring.

48. 34. “I cannot in any way afford to lose my days
34. “I cannot in any way afford to lose my days. Securities come due, promissory notes, interest on investments: these are things that happen in the daylight!”
In saying this, Scrooge is showing he does not understand or see the benefit the spirits may bring. His focus is still on making and collecting money. In his eyes, his job is the most important part of life.

49. 35. Past- “Your lip is trembling, Mr. Scrooge
35. Past- “Your lip is trembling, Mr. Scrooge. And what is that upon your cheek?” Scrooge- “Upon my cheek? Nothing… a blemish on the skin from the eating of overmuch grease… nothing… [Suddenly] King Spirit of Christmas Past, lead me where you will, but quickly! To be stagnant in this place is, for me, unbearable!”
In this exchange between Scrooge and Past, Scrooge is refusing to admit that he feels sadness about his past, nor does he want to relive the despair. He is unwilling to reflect or revisit his past Christmases and memories, which made him who he is today.

50. 36. What does Fred mean when he says, “There are many things from which I derive good, by which I have not profited. Christmas is a time when men and women open their shut-up hearts freely, and think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” ?
In Fred making this comment, he is sharing his believe that Christmas brings a happiness and thoughtfulness to others that is not present the rest of the year. This is a time to erase boundaries that separate the different social classes; people need to look at each other and feel sympathy and compassion and they realize they are all human. With this, they are profiting in emotional and spiritual ways rather than in material.

51. A Christmas Carol
Act 2 Scene 1

52. 1. Who are the “brothers” of the Ghost of Christmas Present, and why hasn’t Scrooge “walked forth” with them?
Each Christmas there is a new Ghost of Christmas Present. Since the year is 1843, there’s been 1,842 bothers of Present. Since Scrooge has never truly celebrated Christmas, he has never “walked forth” with or met the brothers.

53. 2. What is the significance of this quote
2. What is the significance of this quote? “ ‘Spirit, conduct me where you will. I went forth last night of compulsion and learnt a lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.’”
This quote is significant because it shows the first major change in Scrooge. He is admitting to have learned a lesson and wants to continue to grow as a person.

54. 3. How is Scrooge’s attitude toward this ghost different than the attitude he had with Marley at first and the Ghost of Christmas Past?
When Marley first arrived, Scrooge did not believe in the ghost, nor did he want the visit from Past. Scrooge even responds he’d rather not have the Ghosts visit and stay the same. However, when he meets Present, Scrooge is eager to learn and grow.

55. A Christmas Carol
Act 2 Scene 2

56. 4. What does the Ghost of Christmas Present symbolically sprinkle from his torch?
The Ghost of Christmas Present sprinkles kindness from his torch.

57. On whom does he sprinkle that and why do they need it the most?
The Ghost of Christmas Present sprinkles it on the very poor most of all because with everything that is negative in their lives, they need kindness to aid in survival.

58. A Christmas Carol
Act 2 Scene 3

59. 5. What is Scrooge’s reaction when Christmas Present shows him the Cratchit home and Bob’s many children?
Scrooge believes having so many children is foolish, especially on Bob’s meager earnings of 15 shillings a week. Scrooge still has not fully understood why he is at the Cratchit house with the spirit.

60. 6. What is the significance of this quote
6. What is the significance of this quote? “If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, none other of my race will find him here.”
This quote foreshadows Tiny Tim’s death. The only way his death can be avoided is if Scrooge changes his ways, thus changing the Cratchit family’s lives.

61. 7. Present says to Scrooge: “’If he be liked to die, he had better do it and decrease the surplus population.” How does hearing his own words about “surplus population” echoed by the Ghost of Christmas Present affect Scrooge?
Present is using Scrooge’s own words against him. Present is bringing to light that Scrooge’s actions direct impact Tiny Tim and others in that situation.

62. 8. How does Scrooge’s reaction to the Ghost of Christmas Present’s prediction for Tiny Tim further develop the plot?
Scrooge bows his head after hearing of Tiny Tim’s fate. This shows Scrooge feels remorse for what has has done in his life and is continuing to push him to change; he is softening.

63. 9. What is Mrs. Cratchit’s response to Bob’s toast to Scrooge
9. What is Mrs. Cratchit’s response to Bob’s toast to Scrooge? Why do you think she acts this way, and do you gre or disagree with her reaction?
Mrs. Cratchit responds by stating she’ll “drink to his heath for [Mr. Cratchit’s] sake and the days, but not for [Scrooge’s].” (p. 24) I believe this reaction shows the respect she has for her husband a the spirit of Christmas that is in her.

64. 10. What is the significance of this quote
10. What is the significance of this quote? “’They don’t sing very well, do they? BUT, nonetheless, they do sing… think of that Scrooge. Fifteen shillings a week and they do sing.’”
This quote is significant because although the Cratchits are poor, they are grateful for what they have. The Cratchits have love, family, and the support of each other.

65. 11. What is an example of foreshadowing in this scene or scene IV?
-Tiny Tim’s predicted fate
-toasting to Mr. Scrooge
-Full chorus of Cratchits singing; Scrooge is listening

66. A Christmas Carol
Act 2 Scene 3

67. 12. What is it you think Scrooge would say to Fred and his wife if the were audible (able to be heard)? Why?
I believe Scrooge would have a conversation about his sister, Fan, who is Fred’s mother. Also, at this point, Scrooge may be able to reflect and laugh about his past rash actions when Fred came to visit.

68. 14. Explain why the Ghost of Christmas Present’s response to Scrooge’s question about “refuge or resource” for Ignorance and Want is significant. *Hint: think back to the beginning of the play.
Scrooge asks the same question of the Thin and Portly men when they ask for donations. However, his true meaning behind the words have changed.

69. 15. What does Scrooge’s eagerness, despite his fear, to learn from the Ghost of Christmas Yet- To-Come (Future) show how Scrooge is changing?
Scrooge is finally understanding the purpose of the ghosts, even though he is frightened of what the ghost may show.

70. 16. Who are the businessmen talking about
16. Who are the businessmen talking about? How did you come to this conclusion?
The businessmen are discussing Scrooge. Marley is already dead and much of the descriptions match the old Scrooge.

71. 17. “’Spirit, why d you show me this
17. “’Spirit, why d you show me this? Why do you show me businessmen from my streets as they take the death of Jacob Marley. That is a thing past. You are future!” Based on the previous excerpt, what can you infer about Scrooge as he begins his journey with Future?
Scrooge has yet to fully understand the Future’s purpose and journey. Scrooge does not know it is him who has died.

72. 18. What did the men and women admit to doing, and what was their reasoning behind it?
They admitted to stealing from the dead man; his curtains, shirt, and silverware. Since Scrooge never benefitted anyone in life, they see it fit to steal from him in death.

73. 19. Situational irony can be defined as “An outcome contrary to what was or might have been expected.” What was ironic about Scrooge’s reaction to the conversation among Old Joe, First Man, First Woman, and Mrs. Dilber when they were discussing the dead man’s belongings?
The audience knows it is Scrooge’s belongings, but Scrooge does not. He remarks how cruel and disrespectful it is to steal these items.

74. 20. Expln the significance of this quote: “If he wanted to keep ‘em after he was dead, a wicked old screw… why wasn’t he natural in his lifetime? If he had ben, he’d have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with Death, instead of lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself.”
It is significant because it shows how Scrooge effected others. He kept to himself and didn’t care about fellow humanity, thus in return, the population did not care about his death.

75. 21. Why does Scrooge begin screaming and fall down crying at the end of scene four?
Scrooge saw his name on a grave and wanted to know if there was still time to change.

76. 22. What has happened to Tiny Tim
22.What has happened to Tiny Tim? What clues helped you come to this conclusion?
Tiny Tim has died. The Cratchits continuously talk about Tiny Tim in the past tense. Bob speaks to Mrs. Cratchit about funeral arrangements and of the condolences he received from Fred.

77. 23. Why is it important for Scrooge to know if this is how the future “will be, or MAY be?”
Scrooge feels the sadness and devastation associated with Tiny Tim’s death, the lack of sadness with his wealth, and the joy that he could have in life. Scrooge wans to live and change his life for the better. He is hoping his change will have an effect on the future.

78. 24. Explain the significance of this quote: “I will honor Christmas in my heat and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!”
Scrooge has seen the errors in his ways, and wants to change. In the text, it states, he will not “shut out the lessons that [the Ghost of Christmas Present] has gotten me. Scrooge wants to have a better life.

79. 25. Why does Scrooge say he feels like a baby at the end of Act II?
Scrooge feels like a baby at the end of Act II because he feels as if he has been reborn. He is starting a new life after his meetings with the spirits.

80. 26. Explain Marley’s statement about one act of kindness leading to another and another. What does he mean?
Marley compares the first green grape of summer to their actions. Both easily spread among people, but need to be started by someone. Marley means that being kind is internally rewarding d makes people want to continue to be kind.

81. 27. Why doesn’t Scrooge want the Cratchit family to know who bought the turkey?
Scrooge wants the Cratchit family to be surprised and enjoy the day, including their new meal. Signing his name may have taken the focus off of the spirit of the holiday.

82. 28. Based on his chat with the portly man from the previous night, how can you tell that Scrooge has changed?
Scrooge has changed because he apologized to the portly man, donated a large sum to the charity, and asked the portly man to stop in and visit Scrooge occasionally. All of these things Scrooge would have avoided in the past.

83. 29. Why do you think Scrooge keeps losing the courage to knock on Fred’s door?
I think Scrooge is nervous to confront Fred and ask to join the party. After many mean conversations denying the invitation, Scrooge was not sure how Fred would take his presence.

84. 30. Because Cratchit does not know about Scrooge’s change in attitude, what might he be expecting Scrooge to do or shay when he shows up late the day after Christmas?
Bob Cratchit most likely expected Scrooge to be extremely upset and angry. After a verbal discipline, Bob would expect some sort of pay cut, firing, or another similar consequence.

85. 31. How does Scrooge live up to the promise that he made to Christmas Future in the final scene?
Scrooge lived up to his word by becoming “a second father [to Tiny Tim]… and a good man,” (p. 38). Scrooge always kept Christmas well.