Structure & Time

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Novella

A novella is a story which is longer than a short story but not as long as a novel.

Plot

It can have a complicated plot, but does not have as many complications as a novel.

Characters

Although novellas may have a range of characters, the limited word count means that they cannot explore many of the characters in great depth; instead, they tend to have one or two characters that readers really get to know, and then several other smaller roles.

Short reading time

Because it is a shorter story, it also means that the story can be read out loud in a short space of time – this (along with the subject matter) makes it an ideal form of entertainment at Christmas.

Simple Structure: Five Staves

In keeping with the idea behind the title (A Christmas Carol), the story is structured in five distinctive sections, reflecting the structure of a carol itself (five staves, rather than chapters).

Meaning of stave

Musicians use staves. Staves are made up of five parallel lines. A musician writes musical notes onto or between these lines.
A stave is also a verse of a poem or song.
- Each stave of A Christmas Carol is a short story with its own mood and atmosphere.

Stave 1 story

Scrooge is unkind, unsympathetic and selfish: “it’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s”.

Staves 2-4 stories

We learn about Scrooge’s childhood and the sadness he felt, how he lost people he loved (Fan and Belle), and ended up alone.
We also learn about the consequences of his actions if he continues to behave in this way: “lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself” (Stave 4).

Stave 5 story

Scrooge’s redemption. After realising the mistakes he has made in life, he vows to change and become a better person: “I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!”

Effect of combining the staves

Like a carol, the staves make sense on their own, but joining them together gives a fuller picture.
When all five staves are joined together, they form a whole picture of Scrooge’s life. The reader learns how and why he is miserable and alone, and then they learn how and why he changes.

Circular structure

The novella has a cyclical or circular structure because elements of the first stave (like the charity collectors and Scrooge's office) return in the final stave.
This structure helps to emphasise Scrooge's transformation.

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

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