Stave Two: The First of the Three Spirits

Stave Two begins with Scrooge being awakened at midnight by the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past. This spirit appears as a strange, childlike figure with an old face and a bright light emanating from its head.

Vocabulary: Stave - A narrative section or chapter, typically in a poem or song

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a journey through his own history, showing him scenes from his past Christmases. These visions are designed to remind Scrooge of the joy and warmth he once felt during the holiday season.

Example: The spirit shows Scrooge his lonely childhood at boarding school, where he was left alone during Christmas. This scene evokes sympathy for Scrooge and provides insight into the origins of his bitterness.

One of the most significant scenes in this stave is Scrooge's memory of his old employer, Fezziwig. Fezziwig is shown hosting a joyous Christmas party for his employees, demonstrating the positive impact a generous employer can have.

Quote: "He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count 'em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune."

This quote highlights the theme of social responsibility, particularly for those in positions of power or wealth. It contrasts sharply with Scrooge's own treatment of his employee, Bob Cratchit.

The stave concludes with Scrooge being shown a vision of his former fiancée, Belle, breaking off their engagement due to his growing obsession with money. This painful memory causes Scrooge to beg the spirit to take him home, demonstrating the emotional impact these visions are having on him.

Highlight: The Ghost of Christmas Past serves to remind Scrooge of the person he once was and the values he once held, laying the groundwork for his eventual transformation.

Stave Three: The Second of the Three Spirits

Stave Three introduces the Ghost of Christmas Present, a jolly giant clad in a green robe trimmed with white fur. This spirit takes Scrooge on a tour of London on Christmas morning, showing him scenes of joy and celebration among people of all social classes.

Quote: "There are some upon this earth of yours who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us."

This powerful statement from the Ghost of Christmas Present criticizes those who use religion or tradition as an excuse for cruelty or selfishness, a theme that resonates throughout the novella.

The spirit takes Scrooge to visit the home of his clerk, Bob Cratchit. Here, Scrooge witnesses the Cratchit family's Christmas celebration, despite their poverty. He is particularly moved by the plight of Tiny Tim, Bob's sickly young son.

Highlight: The scenes at the Cratchit household serve to humanize the poor in Scrooge's eyes and challenge his previous dismissive attitude towards charity.

Later, the spirit shows Scrooge a vision of his nephew Fred's Christmas party, where the guests are playing games and making merry. Fred speaks kindly of his uncle, despite Scrooge's rudeness, demonstrating the power of forgiveness and family bonds.

Example: During a game of "Yes and No," Fred's guests try to guess what Scrooge is thinking of. The answer turns out to be "a disagreeable animal, a savage animal, an animal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes, and lived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn't made a show of, and wasn't led by anybody, and didn't live in a menagerie, and was never killed in a market." This humorous description of Scrooge himself highlights how others perceive him.

The stave concludes with the spirit revealing two emaciated children hidden beneath his robes, personifying Ignorance and Want. This powerful image serves as a warning about the consequences of neglecting society's most vulnerable members.

Quote: "This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."

This quote emphasizes the societal dangers of ignorance and poverty, reinforcing Dickens' critique of Victorian society's treatment of the poor.