A Christmas Carol, Act 1 Comprehension Check and Text Analysis

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Comprehension + Text Analysis

Comprehension Check

1. When Marley was alive, what relationship did he have with Scrooge? (2pts)

Marley and Scrooge were partners for an unknown amount of years. Scrooge was Marley’s sole executor, sole administrator, sole assign, sole residuary legatee, and sole friend when Marley was alive.

2. In what year and city is the play set? (2pts)

This play was set on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the morning after Christmas, 1843, in the city of London. 

3. What does Scrooge say to those who wish him a “Merry Christmas”? (2pts)

He calls them an “idiot” and says that they “should be boiled with their own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through their heart.” 

“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” (Scrooge, p. 238) 

4. Write a brief summary of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, Act I. (4pts)

(Scene 1) The story begins with a dead Jacob Marley, standing with Scrooge, his business partner when Marley was alive. Marley introduces himself and Scrooge before explaining their relationship and Scrooge’s infamy as “England’s most tightfisted hand at the grindstone”. (Scene 2) Marley leaves as the scene changes. Scrooge is sitting at his desk at work, along with his clerk Bob Cratchit. Suddenly, Scrooge’s nephew enters. Scrooge and his nephew have a discussion about Christmas, with the Nephew inviting Scrooge over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The discussion ends with Scrooge declining the invitation and the Nephew leaving. Just then, two men drop by and ask Scrooge to donate money for charity, in which Scrooge refuses. (Scene 3) Marley, as a ghost, visits Scrooge and warns him about the three spirits that are going to visit him tonight: The ghost of the Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. (Scene 4) The ghost of Christmas Past visits Scrooge and takes him into the past Christmases. (Scrooge is invisible to those he sees) Through the first visit, the spirit and Scrooge see a young Scrooge, two men named Fezziwig and Dick Wilkins, his sister Fan, and his engagement to Belle that ended terribly as Scrooge was too caught up in his business to give her any attention. The Act ends with Scrooge falling asleep, exhausted from the earlier events.

Text Analysis

1. Why does Marley’s ghost drag a chain fastened to cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy steel purses? (2pts)

I believe that it represents all of Marley’s concerns, his sins, his lack of compassion, or maybe the items associated with his old business and selfishness. 

“It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. [Marley screams again; a tragic scream; from his ghostly bones.] I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard. Is its pattern strange to you?” (Marley, p.246) 

2. (a) What effects have Scrooge’s past experiences had on the person he has become? (2pts)

 He was neglected on Christmas as a young boy, sitting alone in a schoolroom, weeping. “Look, you, sir, a school ahead. The schoolroom is not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.” (The Ghost of Christmas Past, pg. 251)  “Scrooge falls to the ground; sobbing as he sees, and we see, a small boy, the young Scrooge, sitting and weeping, bravely, alone at his desk.” (Israel Horovitz, pg. 235) . His old schoolmaster was an old, mean man. “Suddenly we hear a mean and terrible voice in the hallway. Off. It is the Schoolmaster.” (Israel Horovitz, pg. 252). His beloved left him as money suffused his thoughts. “I would gladly think otherwise if I could, heaven knows! But if you were free today, tomorrow, yesterday, can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless girl22—you who in your very confidence with her weigh everything by Gain; or, choosing her, do I not know that your repentance and regret would surely follow? I do; and I release you. With a full heart, for the love of him you once were.” (Woman, pg. 257) He supposedly had a rather indifferent father. “Father is so much kinder than he ever used to be, and home’s like heaven! He spoke so gently to me one dear night when I was going to bed that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home…” (Fan, pg. 252)  His sister, Fan, whom he very much adored, passed away. “Oh, my dear, dear little sister, Fan . . . how I loved her.” (Scrooge, pg. 253) “She died a woman, and had, as I think, children.” (The Ghost of Christmas Past, pg. 254) All these past hardships and experiences shaped Scrooge to be the miserable miser he is. All these events are the reason why Scrooge has such contempt for others, such bitterness and distrust.  

(b) Based on Scrooge’s past experiences, do you think he should be excused for his current attitudes and behavior? Explain your answer. (2pts)

I do believe he should be excused for his attitude. Scrooge lost nearly everyone he loved. His father despised him. His friends neglected him. His sister died. His beloved left him. His schoolmaster was abusive. His only validation was his business and money. He was blinded by the cruelty of his past, his outlook on life affected. Pushing someone like that away will only make it worse. 

3. Essential Question: What can cause a sudden change in someone’s life? (2pts)

It could be a traumatic experience, such as losing a loved one, or getting betrayed. It could be a rather “life-lesson” experience, such as Scrooge’s. Or it could be a happy experience, such as getting married or being accepted after years of neglect. 

What have you learned about what can cause a sudden change in someone’s life by reading Act I of this play? (2pts)

A relief of past memories could change someone’s life. Thanks to the Christmas Past, Scrooge felt more willing to help others and be more empathetic. He even wanted to have a word with his clerk, Bob Cratchit, after meeting Fezziwig in his memories. “No, no. l should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now! That’s all!” (Scrooge, pg. 255).