A Christmas Carol Worksheet

In Scene 1, Scrooge and Fred express very different views on Christmas. What do their differing points of view reveal about what they value? (character)

• Fred seems much happier than Scrooge. He comes “bounding in, his eyes sparkling.” Scrooge, on the other hand, snaps at Fred and grumbles “humbug.” The authors seem to be suggesting that there’s more joy to be found in the people around you than in pursuing wealth.

• Scrooge sees Christmas as pointless because it doesn’t lead to financial gain; he values money above all else. Fred enjoys Christmas as a time to be joyful and invites his uncle to dinner; he values family and kindness.

• That Scrooge keeps only a weak fire helps you understand just how miserly he is; he is unable to enjoy even a small luxury like a cozy fire. The coldness of the house might also be seen as a symbol for the coldness of Scrooge’s heart.

• Fezziwig seems to respect and appreciate his employees; he treats them to a Christmas party, and Scrooge calls him “gracious.” By contrast, Scrooge sees Bob Cratchit only as a vehicle for earning money and treats him unkindly and ungenerously.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

.Scene 1, who seems happier, Scrooge or Fred? What theme/message do you think the authors want to convey(suggest) with this scene? (theme)

• Fred seems much happier than Scrooge. He comes “bounding in, his eyes sparkling.” Scrooge, on the other hand, snaps at Fred and grumbles “humbug.” The message that the authors seem to be convey that there’s more joy to be found in the people around you than in pursuing wealth.

• Scrooge sees Christmas as pointless because it doesn’t lead to financial gain; he values money above all else. Fred enjoys Christmas as a time to be joyful and invites his uncle to dinner; he values family and kindness.

• That Scrooge keeps only a weak fire helps you understand just how miserly he is; he is unable to enjoy even a small luxury like a cozy fire. The coldness of the house might also be seen as a symbol for the coldness of Scrooge’s heart.

• Fezziwig seems to respect and appreciate his employees; he treats them to a Christmas party, and Scrooge calls him “gracious.” By contrast, Scrooge sees Bob Cratchit only as a vehicle for earning money and treats him unkindly and ungenerously.

Tags

(theme)

In Scene 2, what does the fact that the fire in Scrooge’s home is “weak” help you understand about Scrooge? (setting, character)

• Fred seems much happier than Scrooge. He comes “bounding in, his eyes sparkling.” Scrooge, on the other hand, snaps at Fred and grumbles “humbug.” The message that the authors seem to be convey that there’s more joy to be found in the people around you than in pursuing wealth.

• Scrooge sees Christmas as pointless because it doesn’t lead to financial gain; he values money above all else. Fred enjoys Christmas as a time to be joyful and invites his uncle to dinner; he values family and kindness.

• That Scrooge keeps only a weak fire helps you understand just how miserly he is; he is unable to enjoy even a small luxury like a cozy fire. The coldness of the house might also be seen as a symbol for the coldness of Scrooge’s heart.

• Fezziwig seems to respect and appreciate his employees; he treats them to a Christmas party, and Scrooge calls him “gracious.” By contrast, Scrooge sees Bob Cratchit only as a vehicle for earning money and treats him unkindly and ungenerously.

Tags

(setting, character)

In Scene 2, when Scrooge points out that Marley was a “fine man of business,” Marley says, “Mercy and charity should have been my business.” What does Marley mean?

• Fred seems much happier than Scrooge. He comes “bounding in, his eyes sparkling.” Scrooge, on the other hand, snaps at Fred and grumbles “humbug.” The message that the authors seem to be convey that there’s more joy to be found in the people around you than in pursuing wealth.

• Scrooge sees Christmas as pointless because it doesn’t lead to financial gain; he values money above all else. Fred enjoys Christmas as a time to be joyful and invites his uncle to dinner; he values family and kindness.

• By “business,” Marley means his main occupation or purpose in life. He’s saying that he should have focused on doing good in the world rather than on getting rich.

Tags

(interpreting text)

In Scene 3, how is Mr. Fezziwig different from Scrooge as an employer? (character, compare and contrast)

• Fezziwig seems to respect and appreciate his employees; he treats them to a Christmas party, and Scrooge calls him “gracious.” By contrast, Scrooge sees Bob Cratchit only as a vehicle for earning money and treats him unkindly and ungenerously

• Scrooge is focused on Tiny Tim, who is suffering greatly and will soon die if his circumstances do not change. This moment is important to the story because it shows that Scrooge is changing. He is thinking of others and not of himself.

• Giving anonymously can be satisfying; because you don’t get thanked for your gift, it can feel like the truest form of giving.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

At the end of Scene 4, what is Scrooge focused on? Why is this moment important to the story? ( )

• Fezziwig seems to respect and appreciate his employees; he treats them to a Christmas party, and Scrooge calls him “gracious.” By contrast, Scrooge sees Bob Cratchit only as a vehicle for earning money and treats him unkindly and ungenerously

• Scrooge is focused on Tiny Tim, who is suffering greatly and will soon die if his circumstances do not change. This moment is important to the story because it shows that Scrooge is changing. He is thinking of others and not of himself.

• Giving anonymously can be satisfying; because you don’t get thanked for your gift, it can feel like the truest form of giving.

Tags

character

Why do you think Scrooge makes his gift of a turkey to the Cratchits anonymously?

• Fezziwig seems to respect and appreciate his employees; he treats them to a Christmas party, and Scrooge calls him “gracious.” By contrast, Scrooge sees Bob Cratchit only as a vehicle for earning money and treats him unkindly and ungenerously

• Scrooge is focused on Tiny Tim, who is suffering greatly and will soon die if his circumstances do not change. This moment is important to the story because it shows that Scrooge is changing. He is thinking of others and not of himself.

• Giving anonymously can be satisfying; because you don’t get thanked for your gift, it can feel like the truest form of giving.

Tags

(character’s motivation)