Stave 3

Stave 3: The Cratchits' Home

The clock strikes 1am and wakes Scrooge from his sleep. A bright light shines onto Scrooge's bed, which Scrooge suspects is coming from the next room. He goes into the room and finds the next ghost waiting for him.

Room transformation

The room had “undergone a surprising transformation”.
The ceiling was covered in greenery (leaves, etc), with berries hanging from it. There was a huge feast heaped on the floor, forming a kind of throne.
On the throne itself sat the second ghost – it had a “joyful air”.
The Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge to touch his robe and they are transported to the streets of the city on Christmas morning. Their first stop is Bob Cratchit's house.

Cratchit's house

Mrs Cratchit and her daughters are wearing “ribbons” in their finest outfits, which are actually threadbare and old, but all they can afford.
One of the boys is proud to wear his father’s old shirt. The Cratchits make an effort to get dressed up because it is Christmas Day. They are incredibly grateful for what they have.
The Cratchits are enjoying preparing a Christmas meal with some treats – they usually would not be able to have any treats, but they save them for Christmas Day.

Tiny Tim

Scrooge watches as Tiny Tim (Bob’s son) struggles to walk – he uses a crutch to move around.
We start to see Scrooge’s humanity coming out: ‘“Spirit,” said Scrooge with an interest he had never felt before, “tell me if Tiny Tim will live”’.
He has watched the Cratchit family, seen the love they feel for one another, and does not want them to suffer any more. He feels compassion for them, which he does not appear to feel at the start of the novella.

Tiny Tim's future

The ghost says that he sees a vacant seat with a crutch next to it next Christmas Day – “If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die”.
Scrooge becomes distraught (incredibly upset) by this news and begs the ghost to change this outcome.
The ghost repeats Scrooge’s own words from Stave 1 back to him: “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”.
Scrooge is ashamed of his own words and hangs his head.
He is overcome with grief at both Tiny Tim’s future, and his own actions.

Mr Cratchit's toast

Scrooge’s attention is drawn back to the family when he hears Bob Cratchit toasting his name: “Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”
Mrs Cratchit thinks that this toast is completely ridiculous and starts ranting about how “unfeeling” Scrooge is.
The family quietly drink their toast (to be polite) and are strangely quiet – just by saying Scrooge’s name, Bob Cratchit has taken some of the joy from the room.

Cratchit's vs Scrooge

Dickens notes that, although the family looked untidy, were “not well dressed” and had very little, “they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another”.
This directly contrasts to Scrooge himself, who has everything except for family and people who care about him – he has lots of money and things but is very lonely and unhappy.

Stave 3: Fred's Party; Ignorance and Want

Together, Scrooge and the ghost travel to several other Christmas parties – everyone is happy and enjoying spending Christmas with loved ones.

Fred's party

They then visit Fred’s (his nephew’s) Christmas party.
Fred and his family are talking about Scrooge and the silly idea he has about hating Christmas.
Fred states that Scrooge’s “offences carry their own punishment… his wealth is of no use to him… Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself, always”.
Fred feels sorry for Scrooge because he causes himself to suffer more and more by shutting people out and being obsessed with money.

Ignorance and Want

Finally, the ghost tells Scrooge that his time is growing short. He moves his robes aside to reveal two small children – their names are Ignorance and Want.
The children are not happy and excited, as children should be – instead, these two children are suffering and unhappy. They look like “monsters”.
The ghost tells Scrooge that “they are Man’s” – he presents Scrooge with the idea that the children (and therefore people in general, especially those who need help) are the responsibility of everyone.

Scrooge's response

Scrooge asks the ghost if there is anywhere the children can go – again, Scrooge has his own words from Stave 1 thrown back at him when the ghost responds, “Are there no prisons?” “Are there no workhouses?”
The clock strikes midnight and the ghost disappears. Scrooge sees a hooded figure moving towards him.

1Plot Summary

1.1Plot Summary

1.1.1Outline

1.1.2Introducing Scrooge & Marley

1.1.3Stave 1

1.1.4Stave 2

1.1.5Stave 3

1.1.6End of Topic Test - Staves 1-3

1.1.7Stave 4

1.1.8Stave 5

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Staves 4-5

2Key Characters & Quotes

2.1Ebenezer Scrooge

2.1.1Outline & Stave 1

2.1.2Stave 2

2.1.3Stave 3

2.1.4Stave 4

2.1.5Stave 5 & Key Quotes

2.1.6End of Topic Test - Ebeneezer Scrooge

2.2Other Characters

2.2.1Bob Cratchit

2.2.2Tiny Tim

2.2.3Fred

2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 1

2.2.5The Ghosts Pt 2

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters

2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters

2.3.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

2.3.2Grade 9 - Extract Analysis

3Key Ideas

3.1Key Ideas

3.1.1Inequality, Ignorance & Want

3.1.2Duality, Family & Love

3.1.3Christianity & Redemption

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Key Ideas

3.1.5Grade 9 - Key Themes

4Context

4.1Context

4.1.1Dickens & Victorian England

4.1.2Poverty & Victorian Christmas

4.1.3Exam-Style Questions - Poverty

4.1.4Gothic Fiction

4.1.5Gothic Fiction & Victorian England

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Context

5Authorial Method

5.1Structure & Techniques

5.1.1Structure & Time

5.1.2Time Frame & Pace

5.1.3Narrative Voice & Tone

5.1.4Settings, Similes & Metaphors

5.1.5End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

Jump to other topics