Stave 2

• “A solitary child, neglected by his friends… Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.”

  Embedded and contextualised example: When the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his childhood self, “a solitary child, neglected by his friends”, Scrooge is shaken. “He said he knew it,” Dickens tells us. “And he sobbed.”

  Reasons for learning it:

  • Repetition of the adjective “solitary” from Stave 1 - the idea that Scrooge’s solitary adult lifestyle may have its roots in his solitary childhood
  • Use of two short sentences in a short paragraph (“Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.”) - emphasises each of these moments, gives each one a bit of room to breath - first Scrooge’s first moment of real recognition - then his first moment of real emotion - the cold, heartless man from Stave 1 has been broken already, such is the power of the visions he is seeing

  Relevant characters and themes: Scrooge, family, redemption, loneliness and isolation
• “She left him, and they parted.”

  Embedded and contextualised example: After the break-up with Belle, Dickens describes the parting with young Scrooge very succinctly: “She left him, and they parted.”

  Reasons for learning it:

  • It’s short and easy to memorise
  • Short paragraph with two very short clauses in a single compound sentence - the parting is abrupt and uncontested - she leaves and that is that - there is no sense that young Scrooge felt any great pain here (though old Scrooge does, in retrospect) - shows how far into coldness he had already fallen - at this time, it was just over - she left him and it was done - he moved on, though now old Scrooge regrets it

  Relevant characters and themes: Scrooge, redemption, greed and generosity, loneliness and isolation
• What metaphor is used to describe Scrooge's life?

  "A spring-time in the haggard winter"
• What does "spring-time" symbolize in Scrooge's life?

  Rebirth and rejuvenation through family
• How does Scrooge's realization about Belle's children affect him?

  He recognizes what he lost by choosing money
• What are the key themes associated with Scrooge's metaphor of "spring-time" and "haggard winter"?

  • Family
  • Childhood
  • Greed and generosity
  • Loneliness and isolation
• How does the metaphor relate to Scrooge's character development by the end of the novel?

  He becomes "a second father" to Tiny Tim
• What does "haggard" imply about Scrooge's condition?

  He is tired and worn out
• What does the contrast between "spring-time" and "haggard winter" reveal about Scrooge's choices?

  His choice of money over family led to loneliness
• What does Scrooge miss out on by not having children?

  Solace and rejuvenation in his old age
• How does the metaphor of "spring-time" relate to the concept of family?

  It suggests family brings joy and renewal
• In what way could Scrooge's life have been different if he had chosen family over money?

  He might have experienced happiness and connection
• What does the phrase "final stages of his life" imply about Scrooge's situation?

  He is nearing the end of his life
• ‘“What!“ exclaimed the ghost, “would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?”’

  Here, the ghost of Christmas past is referring to knowledge as ‘light’, suggesting that the knowledge he can give to Scrooge is positive and will improve his life. The ghost also uses the adjective ‘worldly’ to suggest that Scrooge is below him. This can be linked to a number of things such a status, but also the ignorance that Scrooge holds, which was common in the world at that time, which the ghost does not hold, suggesting Scrooge is beneath him. Scrooge is not used to this as he is seen to be wealthy which resulted in a high status in those times.