A Christmas Carol: Stave 2

Who is the first Spirit? Describe the Spirit's appearance.

• The Ghost of Easter Past.

  
  

  The Ghost is childlike, but also appears aged. He has long white hair and a face without wrinkles. The ghost has a jet of light coming from its head and carries an extinguisher.

• The Ghost of Christmas Past.

  
  

  The Ghost is childlike, but also appears aged. He has long white hair and a face without wrinkles. The ghost has a jet of light coming from its head and carries an extinguisher.

What does Scrooge regret from the night before? What does he wish he had done differently?

• He regrets how he interacted with the boy who was singing Christmas carols outside of his home the night before. He wishes he had given him something.

• He regrets eating the chicken dinner he ate the night before. He wishes he had eaten a burrito instead.

Who is Fezziwig?

• Scrooge's little sister who passed away as an adult.

• Scrooge's old boss.

How is Fezziwig a different boss than Scrooge?

• Fezziwig is not a different boss than Scrooge; they treat their employees in exactly the same way.

• Fezziwig is kind to his employees. He generously gives them the day off for Christmas and throws them a Christmas party.

  
  

  Scrooge, on the other hand, is cold and unkind to his clerk, Bob Cratchit. He does not pay him well and does not even keep his counting house warm. He reluctantly gives him the 25th off.

Oh! He was a tightfisted hand at the grindstone.

What kind of figurative language is being used?

• hyperbole

• simile

• metaphor: Scrooge is being compared to a tightfisted hand at the grindstone.

  
  

  (A grindstone is a machine used for sharpening tools)

Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.

What type of figurative language is being used here?

• metaphor

• simile: Marley is being compared to a doornail. Dickens uses the word as.

• hyperbole

It was bleak biting weather.

What kind of figurative language is used in this sentence?

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Personification: Weather is an object, given the human-like trait of biting.

The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect.

• Simile

• personification: rain, snow, hail, and sleet are objects that are given the human-like trait of boasting (bragging)

• hyperbole

How did Scrooge react to seeing the wonderful Christmas Eve party that Fezziwig had for his employees?

• Scrooge remembered all that happened at the Christmas party as he watched and he enjoyed it.

• Scrooge grumpily said, "Bah! Humbug!" and told the Spirit he hated Christmas.

"It matters little," she said softly. "To you, very little. Another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve." "What idol has displaced you?" he rejoined. "A golden one."

What is the woman referring to in this part? What has replaced her? Explain your response.

• Belle is referring to Scrooge's want (greediness) for money that has replaced her.

• Belle is referring to golden candlestick that has replaced her.