stave 2

• "Another idol has displaced me... a golden one."


  • "Golden" connotes to something valuable and precious; it is used to ironically indict how Scrooge views materialistic items over loved ones and other members of society.

  • "Displaced" hints at a transactional tone, which suggests people are simply a commodity to Scrooge that he can trade away.

  • It is clear that Scrooge worships money as if it were a religion, alluding to biblical echoes of idolatry. Here, Scrooge has turned away from his societal duty, and moved towards individual gain.
• "A solitary child, neglected by his friends."

  "A lonely boy ... near a feeble fire."


  • Reminiscent of "solitary as an oyster" from Stave 1.

  • Repeated use of 'solitary' highlights how Scrooge's neglected and solitary state as a defenceless child has caused his lonesome and solitary adult existence - even the ghost pities his younger self, and makes Scrooge recognise he was "lonely"

  • Verb "neglected" and noun "friend" juxtapose each other, reinforcing his ostracism, and hinting at the poor treatment he received as a child.

  • Motif of fire connotes to family and community and "feeble" emphasises how Scrooge lacked this sense of connection as a child.
• "Fuel heaped upon the fire"

  "Bright a ballroom"


  • ”Heaped”- generosity of scrooge vs “one coal”.

  Fezziwig acts as a foil to Scrooge

  • Fezziwig is a role model to society and emphasises the importance of generosity and togetherness.

  • Fire is a motif for community - people at work are like family to Fezziwig, and he cares enough to heat the place fully which contrasts the "one coal"

  • Light is a motif for enlightenment, illustrating that Fezziwig is philanthropic and is educated on the importance of charity.
• "The happiness he gives, is...as if it cost a fortune"


  • Start of Scrooge's epiphany, as he realises that pure happiness does not cost a fortune, and comes from following social responsibility, not having materialistic possessions.

  • Here, Fezziwig is emblematic of what a good employer should act like, teaching the wealthy Victorian business the importance of generosity and kindness.

  • The Ghost is prompting Scrooge to agree with him that Fezziwig’s goodwill is worthless because it doesn’t cost much, and Scrooge’s response illustrates his realisation that some things aren’t based on their monetary value

  • This memory has made Scrooge rethink his ideas about what is valuable and what isn’t.
• "A springtime in the haggard winter of his life."


  • Metaphor for life - Here, family is seen as a "springtime" which is a time of birth, renewal and joy, in comparison to Scrooge's "haggard winter"; an empty, solitary life which is nearing the end.

  • The juxtaposition of the moment creates a sense of regret and reveals what Scrooge has sacrificed in his pursuit of financial gain.
• Belle's eyes: "sparkled in the light."

  "Cheap darkness"


  • Dickens utilises the motif of light to reinforce that Scrooge has blindly ignored the beauty and vitality of love and others in life.

  • Verb "sparkled" links to Fred, and emphasises the warmth, friendliness, and adoration of Belle's character.

  • Scrooge's materialistic pursuit has left him seeking comfort in the "cheap darkness" as he cannot face how much vitality and light he has let out of his life. In particular, "darkness" is a lack of light, encapsulating how Scrooge is the embodiment of ignorance.
• “Like a child’

  ‘like an old man


  Juxtaposition ‘child’, ‘old man’: the ghost will remind Scrooge of the innocence of childhood before he was corrupted by avarice. The Ghost’s role is to reveal Scrooge’s missed opportunities and brings with wisdom and knowledge associate with age in addition to reminding us that Scrooge’s time is

  running out. Embodies malleability, unlike Scrooge who is static