The Second of the Three Spirits

• Scrooge's room is transformed

  1. The clock strikes one again, to indicate that a new section of the story is about too begin

  2. Scrooge finds the Ghost of Christmas Present in the room next to his bedroom. The room is filled with lots of Christmas decor, including holly, mistletoe, ivy, all kinds of food, and a blazing fire that the "hearth had never known in Scrooge's time" Writer's Techniques - Dickens describes the Christmas decorations in great detail. This level of detail helps the reader to visualise the scene

  3. There's an abundance of food in the room, and in the shops that the spirit and Scrooge visit. Dickens is emphasising that there's plenty of food for everyone, and that no-one should go hungry at Christmas
• The ghost teaches Scrooge the spirit of Christmas

  1. In the chapter, Scrooge sees people celebrating Christmas in different places. Even those who are poor, sick, or separated from their families are cheerful and good-humoured. Dickens emphasises that Christmas is a special time of year, from which even the most disadvantaged people can benefit

  2. The ghost sprinkles drops of "incense" from his torch over homes, hospitals, jails, and almshouses (charitable housing for the poor and elderly), and over anyone who begins to argue. When this happens, their "good humour" is "restored directly"

  3. The ghost shows Scrooge that Christmas can help to bring people together and improve people's moods

  Theme - The Christmas Spirit - The Ghost of Christmas Present shows that Christmas has a transforming effect on people, encouraging them to do acts of goodwill and charity
• Who visits Bob Cratchit's house with Scrooge?

  The Ghost of Christmas Present
• What theme is reinforced by the Ghost of Christmas Present's actions?

  Social Responsibility
• What does the spirit's sympathy for the poor signify in Dickens's message?

  It emphasizes the need to help those in need
• How do the Cratchits feel during their Christmas celebration?

  Happy, grateful, and contented
• What does the Cratchits' lack of money signify in their Christmas celebration?

  Money doesn't matter as long as they have each other
• Who is Tiny Tim in relation to the Cratchit family?

  An innocent victim of their poverty
• What is the Cratchits' situation regarding Tiny Tim's health?

  They are unable to make him better
• How does Scrooge's belief about the poor change after visiting the Cratchits?

  He realizes they deserve better than workhouses
• What does Bob Cratchit fear regarding Tiny Tim?

  That he might be taken from him
• What does the spirit warn will happen to Tiny Tim by next Christmas?

  He will die if things don't change
• What does Bob's dread about Tiny Tim's death reveal about his character?

  He deeply cares for his son
• Scrooge has to face up to his former opinions - KEY EVENT

  1. Scrooge is upset to find out that Tiny Tim is destined to die. The spirit reminds Scrooge that until now, he didn't care about the plight of poor people - he described them as "surplus population"

  2. The spirit says that Scrooge's life may be "more worthless" than that of Tiny Tim and others like him. This forces him to be humble and not have such a high opinion of himself compared to others (especially the poor)

  3. Scrooge's concern for Tim teaches him that the poor are real people - not just a problem to be dealt with. He begins to understand the value of charity towards the poor

  Dickens believed that poor people deserved better than to be written off as "surplus population"
• Scrooge sees himself through other people's eyes

  1. As well as the Cratchits' dinner, the ghost also takes Scrooge to see Fred's Christmas party. Both parties are full of merriment, but at both gatherings Scrooge is the source of resentment or ridicule

  2. Although Bob Cratchit generously insists that his family drink to the health of his boss, Scrooge is thought of as the "Ogre" of the family, who causes a "dark shadow" to pass over the party

  3. Fred and his family and friends laugh "heartily" about Scrooge's actions - they don't take him seriously. However, Fred says he feels sorry for Scrooge - he sees that Scrooge's behaviour is only hurting himself

  4. Fred's family toast Scrooge too, which makes Scrooge feel "light of heart". Fred calls him "Uncle Scrooge" - this is a reminder for Scrooge that he can still be part of a family
• Ignorance and Want link to poverty

  1. Just before the spirit leaves, Scrooge sees two "meagre, ragged" children hidden in the spirit's robes. The spirit calls the children Ignorance and Want. They're disturbing to look at - "menacing" and "horrible"

  2. Ignorance and Want are symbols of the problems caused by poverty in Victorian society. The spirit says it's the fault of mankind that Ignorance and Want exist

  3. The ghost warns Scrooge to beware of Ignorance and Want - he claims that ignoring the problem will eventually lead to society's "Doom"

  4. Scrooge desperately asks whether there's anything that will help Ignorance and Want. The spirit, by reminding Scrooge of his own words ("Are there no prisons?... Are there no workhouses?"), implies that the attitude of heartless people like Scrooge means that there isn't any help available