Plot
Plot Summary
Novella by Charles Dickens about Ebenezer Scrooge, who is well know for his miserly ways
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts - Jacob Marley, then the 3 Christmas Ghosts
The ghosts show him how his mean behavior has affected those around him
At the end of the story he is relieved to discover that there is still time to change and we see him transformed into a generous and kind-hearted human
1
Bob Cratchit is working hard and trying to warm himself over a candle as Scrooge refuses to give him more coal
2
Fred arrives to wish Scrooge a Merry Christmas and invites him to a Christmas dinner
Scrooge replies with a 'Bah!' followed by 'Humbug!'
3
Two gentlemen arrive to collect for the poor and homeless
Scrooge refuses to give them a donation, claiming that the prisons and workhouses should provide for such people
He declares that if they cannot go to prison or the workhouses the poor should die 'and decrease the surplus population'
4
Scrooge has visions of the door knocker and tiles bearing the face of his old business partner, Jacob Marley
Doesn't believe himself, but then Marley's ghost appears and frightens Scrooge by rattling his chains
He tells him he will be haunted by three spirits
5
Ghost of Christmas Past
'a strange figure' - both an old man and child
Shows Scrooge scenes from his childhood
Lively scene with his cheerful old boss, Fezziwig
Sees Belle telling Scrooge how she must leave him because he has changed and loves money more than her
They then see the girl become a woman, with her happy family
Scrooge is upset and the Ghost returns him to his bed
6
Ghost of Christmas Present
Takes Scrooge to the Cratchit family where he sees the humility with which the family tolerates its poverty
The sight of Tiny Tim saddens him
He shows his nephew and friends celebrate and joke about how Scrooge is a 'ridiculous fellow'
Shows him two poor children, Ignorance and Want
7
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Shows scenes relating to a man's death
Shows him the Cratchits whose son has died
Finally the ghost shows Scrooge the gravestone of the man the people have been talking about. It bears the name: Ebenezer Scrooge
8
Scrooge awakes on Christmas Day
He presses his bed to check it is real and then laughing, proclaims himself as 'giddy as a drunken man'.
He gives a boy half a crown to buy the prize turkey from the butchers and have it delivered to the Cratchits
He goes onto the street and meets one of the Charity Collectors, he gives a donation
He then goes to Church and to Fred's for Christmas dinner
9
Scrooge knows how to celebrate Christmas
Offers Bob Cratchit a pay-rise and promises to look after his family
He learns to laugh and becomes known as a man who knows how to celebrate Christmas