Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-5-stave-3 [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 3 # Stave 3 English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol, topic 1.1.5 ## 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 ![Room transformation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/b8bcfbd6-ce14-406c-b4ef-7d7410ddb445/shutterstock_777882253.jpg) - 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 ![Cratchit's house](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/d169392b-e6e2-4473-96fc-121e1dad62ed/shutterstock_768439717.jpg) - 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 ![Tiny Tim](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0d1f60b1-05ca-41f7-b331-5057ff86c37e/shutterstock_135536876.jpg) - 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 ![Tiny Tim's future](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/3325148a-5f0a-484e-a526-2088a7e261b1/shutterstock_611413217.jpg) - 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 ![Mr Cratchit's toast](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/d2bb5e2b-b567-41c4-8014-2582f33e8a33/shutterstock_532006042.jpg) - 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 ![Cratchit's vs Scrooge](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/a957aa7e-1566-49eb-95d9-1aa2dbc05267/shutterstock_343923932.jpg) - 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 ![Fred's party](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/8d29682a-169d-43bb-9a86-4698002987e9/shutterstock_71219773.jpg) - 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 ![Ignorance and Want](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/724d1884-a5ed-4711-9014-31f5ae9253a0/shutterstock_364708898.jpg) - 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's response](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/f4ce53ba-689d-4c9a-bd2b-1ffcb1747a66/shutterstock_76769608.jpg) - 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. ## Test yourself on Stave 3 - Who is struggling to walk in the Cratchit's house? - What does the Ghost tell Scrooge will happen to Tiny Tim before the next Christmas? - Who does Mr Cratchit toast? - Whose Christmas party do Scrooge and the ghost visit in Stave 3? - What are the names of the small children that the ghost reveals to Scrooge in Stave 3? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ddff7b40-4794-11e8-840f-39fdc9615de8/section/f34758e0-4c64-11e8-83f0-4bd6cb4562c5/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)