Exploring the Staves in A Christmas Carol

Stave 1
Main events

 We are introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve

 A former business partner died exactly 7 years ago
 Scrooge refuses an iinvitation to a party from his nephew Fred as well as donating to charity workers
 Scrooge allows Bob Cratchit to take the day off reluctantly
 Marley arrives and explains his torment from his worldly actions. He also says that he will be visited by
3 ghosts

Significance of the stave

How Scrooge is presented

We are first introduced to Scrooge’s ignorance and mercenary ways towards his employee Bob Cratchit. However, his rather
cowardly self is revealed when Marley’s ghost arrives.

Characters
Ebenezer Scrooge

Bob Cratchit

Jacob Marley (ghost)

Key quotations

Quotation Explanation
 Marley symbolises worldly greed and spiritual poverty.

The description of Marley

The same face: the very same. Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat, tights and boots; the
tassels on the latter bristling, like his pigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head.
The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail;
and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers,
deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. His body was transparent, so that Scrooge,
observing him, and looking through his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat
behind.
Stave 2
Main events

 Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past who takes him to witness his past.
 Scrooge is taken to his student years and is reminded how his friends would go home for Christmas while he
was left at school alone. He is reminded of how unhappy and lonely he was.
 We see him with his sister, who one year took him home for the holidays.
 Next, we are shown Scrooge as a young apprentice, working for Fezziwig. Dickens describes the Christmas
ball Fezziwig organised for his employees.
 Finally, Scrooge is taken to see his ex-fiancée, Belle. We see the scene when they break up, as money has
taken over Scrooge’s life. Scrooge cannot bear to see any more and struggles with the spirit.

Significance of the stave

Scrooge’s development

Characters

Key quotations

Quotation Explanation
 The Ghost of Christmas Past symbolises memory.

The description of the Ghost of Christmas Past

It was a strange figure -- like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through
some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view,
and being diminished to a child's proportions. […] It wore a tunic of the purest white, and
round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a branch of
fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress
trimmed with summer flowers. But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its
head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible.
Stave 3
Main events

 Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present.

 The spirit shows Scrooge how the Cratchit family celebrate Christmas. Scrooge learns that Tiny Tim will
die unless the future changes. The spirit reminds Scrooge of his earlier words: ‘If he is to die, he had better
do it, and decrease the surplus population’
 Scrooge is then taken to see how others celebrate Christmas: miners, lighthouse workers and sailors on a
ship.
 He is then taken to Fred’s house where they are playing games. They discuss Scrooge and Fred is full of
pity for him.
 The spirit reveals two children hidden under his robes - Want and Ignorance. The Ghost explains that they
belong to Man and warns Scrooge to beware of them both, but especially to beware of Ignorance.
 The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come appears.

Significance of the stave

Scrooge’s development

Characters

Key quotations

Quotation Explanation
 The Ghost of Christmas Present symbolises generosity and goodwill.

The description of the Ghost of Christmas Present

It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment
hung so loosely on the figure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded
or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were
also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there
with shining icicles. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling
eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded
round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was
eaten up with rust.

Stave 4
Main events

 The Ghost of Christmas Future is described.

  The spirit takes Scrooge to see a group of businessmen discussing someone who has died. They do
not care about his death.
 Scrooge is then taken to see Old Joe, where he is in the process of buying stolen property
belonging to the dead man.
 The Ghost tries to make Scrooge look at the face of the dead man but Scrooge says he can’t.
 A young couple are given hope that they will have longer to repay a long because this man has
died.
 Scrooge then returns to Bob Cratchit’s house to find the family mourning the loss of Tiny Tim.

 Scrooge is then taken to a gravestone with his own name on it. He realises he is the dead man
whom the people were talking about. Scrooge falls to his knees and vows to change his ways.

Significance of the stave

Scrooge’s development

Characters

Key quotations

Quotation Explanation
 The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come symbolises death.

The description of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his
knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and
mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form,
and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been
difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was
surrounded. He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its
mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither
spoke nor moved.

Stave 5
Main events
1. Scrooge wakes up in his own bed to find everything as it was the night before. He is overwhelmed at
having a change to put things right.
2. Scrooge arranges for a prize turkey to be sent anonymously to the Cratchits,
3. On his way to church, Scrooge makes a large donation to charity.
4. Scrooge then goes to Fred’s house and is welcomed in. He enjoys the dinner and party.
5. On Boxing Day, Scrooge arrives early to work and plays a trick on Bob. Scrooge then tells him he is
going to raise his salary and promises to help Bob’s struggling family. Scrooge is described to have
completely changed and becomes a ‘second father’ to Tiny Tim – ‘who did not die.’

Significance of the stave

Scrooge’s development

Characters

Key quotations

Quotation Explanation