Essential Questions Who is Charles Dickens? What influenced him to write the novel A Christmas Carol? What is child labor and why was it popular during the 17th century? Why does it continue today? What was life like in England during the Industrial Revolution/Victorian era? Are people capable of making a lasting change? Which Spirit had the most profound effect on Scrooge? How does the novel serve as social commentary/satire for the issues that were present in Victorian England society? How is evidence used to strengthen an argument?
A Christmas Carol By: Charles Dickens and dramatized by Fred Gaines
Before the Play:
After learning more about Charles Dickens, describe his life as a child.
2.What are two important elements of a drama (page 399)?
3. What is dialogue?
4. What are stage directions?
5. What is the setting of the play?
ACT I Scene One
How does Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, describe Christmas (page 402)?
2. When the Gentlemen Visitor come to see Scrooge, describe his actions and words towards them?
3. How does Scrooge’s actions and words towards Fred, Gentlemen Visitor and Cratchit affect how people may see him as a person?
4. Using adjectives, describe Scrooge and tell why you choose those words.
Scene Two
Stage directions often tell us more about the story but are often overlooked. What are 3 strange events that are experienced by Scrooge on pages 406 and 408?\
2. Describe Marley’s Chains (page 408) 3. Time plays important role in the play and in this scene. Why do you think the author included describing time on page 409?
Scene Three
What lesson or moral does the author want us and Scrooge to learn from his past
2. Cite at least 2 pieces of evidence that demonstrate how different Scrooge is now than in his past.
Scene Four
How are Mrs. Cratchit and Bob Cratchit different on page 416? Cite text
2. What does the second spirit rebuke Scrooge for on page 417?
3. The word imitating is used several times. For instance the Ghost of Christmas Present was imitating Scrooge. Define the word, give a antonym, then create a new sentence using the word.
Scene Five
Many say this scene was the most frightening for Scrooge. Please explain if you agree or disagree and cite text from the play to back up your answer
2. What can we infer is the reason why the third spirit doesn’t speak?
Scene Six
Describe from this scene, ways we know Scrooge is a new man.
2. Predict how Scrooge’s life would have gone had this book continued another 2 chapters.
A Christmas Carol abridged... Ebenezer Scrooge: Bah, humbug. You'll work thirty-eight hours on Christmas Day, keep the heat at five degrees, and like it. Ghost of Jacob Marley: Ebenezer Scrooge, three ghosts of Christmas will come and tell you you're mean. Three Ghosts of Christmas: You're mean. Ebenezer Scrooge: At last, I have seen the light. Let's dance in the streets. Have some money.