Plot summary

What happens in the introduction?

• It’s a dark & dreary Christmas Eve in Victorian London

• The wealthy miser Ebenezer Scrooge is shut up in his counting-house with his sole employee, the mistreated Bob Cratchit

• Scrooge’s nephew Fred invites Scrooge to dine with his family on Christmas day

What does Scrooge refuse to do? & that night…(rising action)

• Scrooge refuses to donate any money to help the poor

• That night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, his former business partner who had been dead for seven years

• He has come to warn Scrooge of the terrible afterlife that awaits him should he fail to change his ways

• Marley’s ghost is shackled with a heavy chain & Scrooges chain will be even longer & heavier than his own unless Scrooge drastically changes his ways

What has Marley arranged? When Scrooge hears the clock strike… (rising action)

• Marley has arranged for three spirits to visit him that night

• When Scrooge hears the clock strike one the first spirit arrives, the Ghost of Christmas Past with a bright light emanating from under its hat

What does the Ghost of Christmas Past do? What happens after? (rising action)

• He brings Scrooge through a series of memories, happy & sad

• Scrooge awakens and the 2nd ghost also visits at precisely one o'clock, the Ghost of Christmas Present is a merry giant, the embodiment of Christmas spirit

What does the Ghost of Christmas Present do? (Rising action)

• Takes Scrooge into the London streets where he witnesses the holiday celebrations of Bob Cratchit & Fred

• At the Cratchit house Scrooge sees the everyday struggle of his employee who has a large family including a disabled son

• It’s clear Cratchits meagre salary isn’t enough to help the family survive

• Fred’s holiday party is filled with company & games

Whats the Ghost of Christmas yet to come described as & what does it do? (rising action)

• A foreboding, shrouded figure who doesn’t speak only pointing a long bony finger in the direction Scrooge should travel

• Takes Scrooge around town after the death of a prominent businessman

What does Scrooge realise in the climax?

• Scrooge realises the dead businessman is himself and death is imminent

• Scrooge begs the spirit to reverse time & allow him to make amends

What does Scrooge realise in the falling action?

• Scrooge joyfully realises he’s been given a second chance

What does Scrooge do in the resolution?

• Scrooge becomes a benefactor for the Cratchit family, living the rest of his life better than his word becoming a good friend, master and man