7th Reading - A Christmas Carol Act 1, All Scenes

Question 1

The dialogue between young Scrooge (Man) and the woman in Act 1, Scene 5, of ‘A Christmas Carol’ advances the plot by showing the audience what?

Answer 1

How Scrooge had changed - from poor and content to be so (the woman was his idol) to a man whose idol is a golden one

Question 2

Does Scrooge have a sense of humor, how can you tell?

Answer 2

No, he never smiles/laughs

Question 3

According to Marley in Act 1, Scene 3, why does he walk the earth as a spirit?

Answer 3

It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men and travel far and wide; if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. -

Because of the way Marley spent his life - he never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole

Question 4

How does Scrooge respond to seeing the Christmas party of his former master, Fezziwig?

Answer 4

He is happy to see him. “Bless his heart; it’s Fezziwig, alive again!”

Question 5

In Scene 3, Scrooge does not believe that the vision he sees is in fact Marley, how does he express his doubt?

Answer 5

He believes that every little thing affects your senses. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheat - a stomach ache

Question 6

What is revealed about Scrooge’s childhood in Act 1, Scene 5?

Answer 6

1. That his childhood home (town) was a happy place for him
2. That he was a solitary child neglected by his friends
3. He loved his sister, Fan
4. He was is boarding school - school away from home
5. His life was not easy

Question 7

How is Marley different from the other character in Act 1?

Answer 7

He speaks directly to the audience.

Question 8

Why is the woman ending their engagement in Act 1, Scene 5?

Answer 8

Because Scrooge was no longer the man he was when they became engaged.

Question 9

What purpose might you set for reading as you scan the list of ‘People in the Play’ and see characters with such names as Portly Do-Gooder, the Ghost of Christmas Past, Fizziwig, and A Corpse?

Answer 9

That the author gave characters names that described them.

Question 10

What is the purpose of Marley’s speech at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 1?

Answer 10

To gain understanding of his character

Question 11

Compare Scrooge’s ideas of Christmas with those of his nephew and Bob Cratchit.

Answer 11

They have different ideas about the worth of Christmas

1. Scrooge - considers Christmas an interruption to his life of making money
2. Nephew and Bob Cratchit - consider Christmas as a time for family

Question 12

Why is it important to view the photographs as you read the play?

Answer 12

To get a visual picture of what is going on. Is it was you envisioned from the words you read

Question 13

How did Marley get the chains that he wears?

Answer 13

The chains come from how he lived his live - his live was about cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses

Question 14

How does Scrooge’s chain compare with Marley’s at this point?

Answer 14

It is like Marley’s only seven years longer.

Question 15

How can you tell that Scrooge is uneasy when he arrives home? What actions or words tell you this?

Answer 15

He is nervous/anxious. He keeps seeing Marley in things for example the door knocker and the pictures around the room; He is stunned by the phenomenon of the bells ring of their own accord

Question 16

What was the relationship between Scrooge and Marley while they were both living?

Answer 16

They were partners in business and friends.

Question 17

Does knowing about Scrooge’s early life change your opinion of Scrooge?

Answer 17

Yes - his childhood was hard and he was poor but he worked to better himself but he went too far - pushed love aside for money

Question 18

Why do you think that Scrooge allowed his engagement to be broken?

Answer 18

Because it wasn’t important enough to him - he felt she was wrong (called her a fool, a mindless loon)

Question 19

Did he regret not marrying the girl, before Marley’s appearance?

Answer 19

Yes, maybe in the back of his mind. Scrooge seems to what to change was the younger him had done/said in the exchange between the woman and himself.

Question 20

Describe the appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Answer 20

A strange figure - like a child, yet at the same time like an old man; white hair, but unwrinkled skin, long muscular arms, but delicate legs and feet. Wears a white tunic; lustrous belt cinches waist. Branch of fresh green holly in it hand, but has its dress trimmed with fresh summer flowers. Clear jets of light spring from the crown of it head. Holds a cap in his hand.