Stave 3

• But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time


  1. Epistrophe - helps emphasise how happy the Cratchits are. This helps Dickens fight Thomas Malthus’ misconception on the poor being lazy and immoral
  2. Juxtaposition - juxtaposes Scrooge’s misery and greedy self in Stave 1
• “I see a vacant seat,” replied the Ghost, “in the poor chimney-corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die”


  1. Foreshadowing - hints Tiny Tim’s death. Helps emphasise to Scrooge that he needs to change
  2. Imagery - “vacant seat”, “poor chimney corner” and “a crutch without an owner“ create an image of abandonment
  3. Pathos - Dickens appeals to the reader’s emotions, or pathos, by highlighting the image of Tiny Tim’s fragile condition and the family’s dependence on his survival.
• “No, no,” said Scrooge. “Oh, no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared.”


  1. Repetition - “no” is repeated to emphasise Scrooge’s sorrow and shows how much he's changed
• “But most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written Doom, unless the writing be erased.”


  1. Foreshadowing - once more hints to Tiny Tim’s death
  2. The boy referred to here is Ignorance, one of 2 children (the other child being Want) behind GOC Present’s robe.