The Ghosts Pt 1

The Ghost of Christmas Past

The Ghosts try to teach Ebenezer Scrooge some lessons and try to reform him. The Ghosts show Scrooge the choices he has made, is making, and the choices he has yet to make, and show him the consequences of his decisions.

Young and old

The Ghost of Christmas Past is shown to be young and old at the same time.
The Ghost has light coming from the top of its head: “from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible”.

Explores Scrooge's past

It shows him young Scrooge, who was alone and desperate for love, affection and relationships, but who was forced to be in solitude.
It shows him that he did have some affection from his much-loved sister.
It also makes him start to realise that he has since pushed other relationships away: his nephew, his ex-fiancée.
It shows Scrooge that his old boss was a kind, loving man. This also makes him realise how much he mistreats his own employee, Bob Cratchit.

Causes Scrooge to question behaviour

The Ghost of Christmas Past makes Scrooge see all the bad things he experienced, and causes him to realise that he is putting people through the same thing, or actually treating them worse.
This first visitation causes Scrooge to question why he has been treating people the way that he has.

The Ghost of Christmas Present

Welcoming and warm

The Ghost of Christmas Present is shown to be a big, happy, welcoming presence.
The Ghost is generous and warm: “Come in! and know me better, man!”

Highlights the good of Christmas

The Ghost shows Scrooge the happiness and good things that come from Christmas Day (Scrooge says in Stave 1 that Christmas doesn’t do anyone any good).
- He sees Bob Cratchit’s family, who are all so excited to be together and enjoying the few treats they can afford at Christmas. He learns that this lower-class family work really hard but that they do so to make each other’s lives better. They do not care that they cannot afford much, but enjoy being together as a family and playing games.

Highlights the good of Christmas (continued)

He sees Fred’s family, who laugh and play games and generally enjoy themselves thoroughly.
Scrooge begs the Ghost to let him stay longer and enjoy the games with his family – this is the first sign that he is choosing not to be alone.

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