Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-4-stave-2 [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol.md) › Stave 2 # Stave 2 English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol, topic 1.1.4 ## Stave 2: The Ghost of Christmas Past The strangely child-like Ghost of Christmas past enters Scrooge's bedroom at 1am, as predicted by Marley's ghost. ### Supernatural sign ![Supernatural sign](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/77565450-4eec-47ee-a79a-5256d9f9a8b4/shutterstock_133127633.jpg) - Scrooge wakes in the night. - He listens to the clock striking and is astonished that it is striking midnight – he remembers that it was after 2am when he went to bed, and so he is confused about the time. - Dickens uses the confusion in time here to show that something unusual and supernatural is about to happen. ### Child-like ghost ![Child-like ghost](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/35d1ba4d-0a63-4e85-bc3c-f59f025320c6/shutterstock_94602292.jpg) - Just after the clock strikes 1am, light flashes into the room and the curtains on his bed are drawn aside and Scrooge comes face-to-face with the first ghost. - The first ghost looks strangely child-like – it has white hair and gives off the impression of being wise, but it has unwrinkled, child-like skin. - A bright, white light shines out of the top of the ghost’s head. ### The cap metaphor ![The cap metaphor](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/ba830103-62c3-4382-afd5-c5b2a428ada6/shutterstock_145251736.jpg) - The ghost informs Scrooge that he is the Ghost of Christmas Past. - Suddenly terrified, Scrooge asks the ghost to put his cap on to cover the bright light coming from its head: he __“begged him to be covered”__. - The ghost responds that Scrooge has helped to create this cap that covers his light. - Scrooge is metaphorically covering the light in his own life – he lives a dark, dull, lonely life. ### The significance of __"fall"__ ![The significance of __"fall"__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/65ff416f-b00a-4166-baf7-0d11f7dda652/shutterstock_285338771.jpg) - The ghost leads Scrooge from his bed towards the window. - Scrooge realises what the ghost wants him to do and exclaims __“I am a mortal and liable to fall”__. - Dickens may have used this line to show that mortal people make mistakes and __“fall”__, but that they (like Scrooge) can learn from their failures and to improve their lives. - The ghost puts his hand on Scrooge’s heart and says he will not fall because the ghost will help him – again, the ghost is helping Scrooge to improve his life, therefore stopping his __“fall”__ from goodness. ## Stave 2: Scrooge's Schoolhouse The ghost transports himself and Scrooge to somewhere in his past: the place where he grew up. Scrooge remembers every place and person they pass. He recalls memories, sounds, smells, etc. ### Lonely in the schoolhouse ![Lonely in the schoolhouse](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/6100a3a9-2274-4ffd-bea0-1a1b2d0fbe4f/shutterstock_758967847.jpg) - The ghost tells Scrooge that, although it is Christmas, there is one person left in the schoolhouse: __“a solitary child, neglected by his friends”__. - The ghost leads Scrooge into the schoolhouse, where he sees his young self in a __“melancholy room”__, reading alone in front of a __“feeble fire”__. - Adult Scrooge watches his young self and begins to cry. - It's interesting that the young, neglected Scrooge grows up to be a lonely, melancholy older man – the idea of loneliness and neglect seem to travel throughout his life. ### Seeing Fan ![Seeing Fan](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/ada1bd84-f571-40c2-bdea-a040ee9bd4db/shutterstock_397843882.jpg) - Scrooge’s sister (Fan) comes into the schoolhouse and tells young Scrooge that she has come to take him home. Fan calls Ebenezer __“dear, dear brother”__, indicating that they had a close relationship. - She tells her brother that their father is now much nicer – she wasn’t afraid to ask him if Ebenezer could come home! There is a suggestion of a distant parental relationship, where young Scrooge experienced some neglect from his father. ### Memories of Fan ![Memories of Fan](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/e8b94820-299f-4c21-a272-3c6235a99f99/shutterstock_397843792.jpg) - Older Scrooge thinks about his younger sister – he recalls that she died, but did have a child: his nephew, Fred. ## Stave 2: Fezziwig's and Belle As well as Scrooge's old schoolhouse, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to visit where he used to work and a past lover. ### Fezziwig's ![Fezziwig's](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/302ae056-652f-4bdc-8d85-15d3be4e833f/shutterstock_506675824.jpg) - The scene changes as the ghost leads Scrooge to another place from his past: to Fezziwig’s, where Scrooge was an apprentice when he was young. - Dickens shows us a happy young Ebenezer who seems to have enjoyed Christmas. - We see Fezziwig himself throwing a huge Christmas party, seeming to spare no expense (with luxurious foods and a lot of music and dancing) – he only seems to care about people enjoying themselves. ### Seeing Belle ![Seeing Belle](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0d9f22f1-1f3e-4d03-8398-04613caf71ea/shutterstock_640007842.jpg) - Scrooge and the ghost move through time once more, coming to a scene where young Ebenezer is talking with Belle. - Belle is breaking her engagement to Ebenezer. - Belle tells him __“another Idol has displaced me”__ – she believes that Ebenezer’s greed and desire to obtain more and more money has finally taken over him. She thinks he loves wealth more than he loves her. ### Belle's new life ![Belle's new life](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/1c744843-01a1-4046-9d28-e98663cd57ba/shutterstock_54815527.jpg) - The older Scrooge is distressed at the memory of Belle ending their relationship – he tells the ghost: __“Show me no more!”__ and tells it to take him home. - The ghost takes him to one more place: Belle’s home – here, Belle is a middle-aged woman and is married. - Scrooge watches Belle and her husband – they talk about young Ebenezer and Belle’s broken engagement. - Belle’s husband says that Scrooge is __“quite alone in the world”__. ### Distressed Scrooge returns home ![Distressed Scrooge returns home](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0e83d627-0e6d-40ab-9244-04636578bbbf/shutterstock_233663527.jpg) - Scrooge begs the ghost to take him home: __“haunt me no longer!”__ - He cannot bear to live through any more memories, or to relive the consequences of his actions (losing Belle). - Scrooge grabs the ghost’s hat and pulls it down over his head, trying to extinguish the light which glows from its head – he tries and tries but cannot put out the light. - Suddenly, Scrooge is back in his bedroom. - Scrooge feels exhausted – he climbs into bed and goes back to sleep. ## Test yourself on Stave 2 - Who enters Scrooge's bedroom in Stave 2? - How does the The Ghost of Christmas Past look? - Where does the Ghost of Christmas Past transport Scrooge to? - What is Scrooge's sister called? - What happens in the exchange between Fan and Scrooge? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ddff7b40-4794-11e8-840f-39fdc9615de8/section/1839d770-4c62-11e8-83f0-4bd6cb4562c5/session) - Previous topic: [1.1.3 Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-3-stave-1.md) - Next topic: [1.1.5 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-5-stave-3.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Plot Summary - [1.1.1 Outline](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-1-outline.md) - [1.1.2 Introducing Scrooge & Marley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-2-introducing-scrooge-and-marley.md) - [1.1.3 Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-3-stave-1.md) - [1.1.4 Stave 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-4-stave-2.md) - [1.1.5 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-5-stave-3.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Staves 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-staves-1-3.md) - [1.1.7 Stave 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-7-stave-4.md) - [1.1.8 Stave 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-8-stave-5.md) - [1.1.9 End of Topic Test - Staves 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-9-end-of-topic-test-staves-4-5.md) - [1.1.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Belle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-belle.md) ### 2 Key Characters & Quotes - 2.1 Ebenezer Scrooge - [2.1.1 Outline & Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-1-outline-and-stave-1.md) - [2.1.2 Stave 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-2-stave-2.md) - [2.1.3 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-3-stave-3.md) - [2.1.4 Stave 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-4-stave-4.md) - [2.1.5 Stave 5 & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-5-stave-5-and-key-quotes.md) - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Ebeneezer Scrooge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-ebeneezer-scrooge.md) - [2.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Scrooge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-scrooge.md) - 2.2 Other Characters - [2.2.1 Bob Cratchit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-1-bob-cratchit.md) - [2.2.2 Tiny Tim](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-2-tiny-tim.md) - [2.2.3 Fred](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-3-fred.md) - [2.2.4 The Ghosts Pt 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-4-the-ghosts-pt-1.md) - [2.2.5 The Ghosts Pt 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-5-the-ghosts-pt-2.md) - [2.2.6 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-6-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) - [2.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-bob-marley.md) - [2.2.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-two-ghosts.md) - [2.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost-of-christmas.md) - [2.2.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-the-cratchits.md) - 2.3 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [2.3.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-3-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [2.3.2 Grade 9 - Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-3-2-grade-9-extract-analysis.md) ### 3 Key Ideas - 3.1 Key Ideas - [3.1.1 Inequality, Ignorance & Want](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-1-inequality-ignorance-and-want.md) - [3.1.2 Duality, Family & Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-2-duality-family-and-love.md) - [3.1.3 Christianity & Redemption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-3-christianity-and-redemption.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-key-ideas.md) - [3.1.5 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-5-grade-9-key-themes.md) ### 4 Context - 4.1 Context - [4.1.1 Dickens & Victorian England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-1-dickens-and-victorian-england.md) - [4.1.2 Poverty & Victorian Christmas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-2-poverty-and-victorian-christmas.md) - [4.1.3 Exam-Style Questions - Poverty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-3-exam-style-questions-poverty.md) - [4.1.4 Gothic Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-4-gothic-fiction.md) - [4.1.5 Gothic Fiction & Victorian England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-5-gothic-fiction-and-victorian-england.md) - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - [4.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Dickens & Socialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-dickens-and-socialism.md) - [4.1.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Misanthropy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-misanthropy.md) ### 5 Authorial Method - 5.1 Structure & Techniques - [5.1.1 Structure & Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-1-structure-and-time.md) - [5.1.2 Time Frame & Pace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-2-time-frame-and-pace.md) - [5.1.3 Narrative Voice & Tone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-3-narrative-voice-and-tone.md) - [5.1.4 Settings, Similes & Metaphors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-4-settings-similes-and-metaphors.md) - [5.1.5 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-5-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Recap: Main Quotes - [6.1.1 Scrooge Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-1-scrooge-quotes.md) - [6.1.2 Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-2-bob-and-tiny-tim-quotes.md) - [6.1.3 Fred & Ghosts Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-3-fred-and-ghosts-quotes.md) - [6.1.4 Ignorance & Want Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-4-ignorance-and-want-quotes.md) - [6.1.5 Other Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-5-other-quotes.md)