Christmas Carol Act 2 Scenes 1+2 Themes

How does Marley’s cynical view of Scrooge in Scene 1—"Nothing will astonish him"—reflect the theme of Scrooge’s emotional isolation?

• It highlights Scrooge’s fear of the supernatural

• It underscores Scrooge’s deep-rooted disbelief and disinterest

• It illustrates Scrooge’s longing for meaningful relationships

• It suggests that Scrooge is incapable of experiencing joy

What does the transformation of time in Scene 1 (the striking of the bell at odd intervals) symbolize about Scrooge’s inner state?

• His growing sense of guilt

• His inability to reconcile with his past

• His denial of the consequences of his actions

• His awakening to a new understanding of life

In Scene 1, why does Marley choose to torment Scrooge with the striking bell sequence instead of directly confronting him?

• To demonstrate Scrooge’s inability to comprehend his own mistakes

• To create confusion, mirroring Scrooge’s confused state of mind

• To symbolize the passage of time in Scrooge’s life

• To mirror Scrooge’s lack of spiritual awareness

In Scene 1, when Scrooge sees "nothing" after the bell tolls, what does this absence of stimuli suggest about his perception of reality?

• Scrooge is beginning to doubt his own senses

• Scrooge has no concept of life beyond his materialism

• Scrooge is overwhelmed with grief and guilt

• Scrooge has disconnected himself from all emotional and spiritual growth

How does the introduction of the Ghost of Christmas Present deepen the theme of generosity in contrast to Scrooge’s miserly nature?

• By presenting a spirit who symbolizes wealth and material success

• By emphasizing the importance of family and tradition over wealth

• Through the contrast between the spirit’s abundant gifts and Scrooge’s lack of charity

• By showing how generosity leads to power and influence

The vibrant and celebratory atmosphere around the Ghost of Christmas Present contrasts sharply with Scrooge’s isolation. What theme does this contrast highlight?

• The futility of wealth without love

• The transformative power of personal reflection

• The contrast between joy and sorrow in the human experience

• The generational conflict between Scrooge and his relatives

What does Scrooge’s immediate willingness to go with the Ghost of Christmas Present indicate about his evolving mindset?

• His fear of the unknown

• His increasing openness to change and learning

• His skepticism about the spirit’s power

• His need for external validation

The imagery of "turkeys, geese, game, poultry" in Scene 2 is associated with abundance. How does this imagery support the development of the theme of generosity?

• It highlights the materialistic excess of the rich

• It underscores the disparity between wealth and poverty

• It represents the joy of giving without expecting anything in return

• It symbolizes the fleeting nature of happiness

When the choral group sings about poverty, how does this enhance the theme of compassion in the narrative?

• It emphasizes the disconnection between the poor and the wealthy

• It highlights the selflessness of the poor despite their hardship

• It reflects the hopelessness of those who suffer at Christmas

• It challenges the audience to feel pity for the poor

How do the themes of greed and generosity develop in the contrast between Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present?

• Scrooge's greed is highlighted, while the spirit’s generosity shows that wealth should be hoarded

• Scrooge’s lack of generosity is contrasted with the spirit’s overflowing abundance, emphasizing how wealth can be shared

• Scrooge’s generosity is revealed through his interactions with the poor, while the spirit's greed shows how wealth is corrupting

• Scrooge's greed is softened by the spirit’s warnings, showing how generosity can be learned