Stave Two: The Ghost of Christmas Past

The Ghost of Christmas Past symbolises memory and

truth!

The description of the Ghost of Christmas Past

The Ghost of Christmas Past’s appearance is a strange combination of child-like and old man. Perhaps this combination shows how the ghost is connected to different stages of Scrooge’s life: young and old. It was a strange figure -- like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child's proportions. […] It wore a tunic of the purest white, and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible. The light on top of the ghost’s head could symbolise The Ghost of Christmas Past is quite small and so it the truth that can be found in memories (memories appears as those it is far away when it is actually quite are things that have happened and so they’re close. This emphasises the spirits connection to the definitely true). We often associate the truth with past since we associate the past with distance. light.

Timeline of the stave 5. The Ghost of Christmas Past 3. The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to another Christmas takes Scrooge to another Christmas in Scrooge’s past. This time 1. The Ghost of Christmas in Scrooge’s past. This time he is a Scrooge’s fiancée, Belle, leaves Past visits Scrooge. little older and his sister has come school because he is more to take him home from school. concerned about money than her.

2. The Ghost of Christmas 4. The Ghost of Christmas Past 6. The Ghost of Christmas Past Past takes Scrooge to his takes Scrooge to another shows Scrooge what he could childhood. Scrooge is alone Christmas in Scrooge’s past. This have had: a loving family with at school at Christmas. time he is older and working as Belle. At this point, Scrooge an apprentice. His boss, Fezziwig, returns back to his bedroom in is throwing a party. the present.

Relationship with Scrooge

How does the spirit act towards Scrooge?

The spirit asks Scrooge questions. The spirit wants Scrooge to think about what he used to be like and how he is now. The spirit wants Scrooge to realise that he needs to change.

Also, the ghost forces Scrooge to watch his past so he can learn from his mistakes.

What changes do we see in Scrooge?

We see Scrooge feeling happy, sad and regretful. Key quotations from Stave Two

Quotation Explanation “Your reclamation then. Take heed” To reclaim something is to get back or recover something. This suggests that Scrooge is going to undergo a change to how he used to be.

“A solitary child, neglected by his friends, This shows how Scrooge was left alone as a child at Christmas. This is left here still” suggests nobody cared for him. Scrooge feels sorry for his younger self.

“To hear Scrooge expending all the earnestness of Here Scrooge feels excited and happy when he thinks about the books his nature on such subjects, in a most he used to read and as a child. This shows that Scrooge was once extraordinary voice between laughing and crying; imaginative and creative. and to see his heightened and excited face.” “he said, in pity for his former self ‘Poor Scrooge feels sorry for his younger self once again. He keeps on crying boy!’ and cried again.” which shows that he is struggling to control his emotions. “There was a boy singing a Christmas Scrooge regrets how he treated the poor boy who was singing carols Carol at my door last night. I should like for money. He is starting to care for the poor. to have given him something: that’s all.” “‘Always a delicate creature, whom a The ghost wants Scrooge to think about how loving and caring breath might have withered,’ said the Scrooge’s younger sister was. Scrooge’s sister, Fan, is the complete Ghost. ‘But she had a good heart!’” opposite to Scrooge. Scrooge is bitter because one of the few people that cared about him died. “During the whole of this time, Scrooge He is happy at the sight of watching his younger self having fun at the had acted like a man out of his wits. His party. He forgets about the ghost and that fact the spirit is watching heart and soul were in the scene, and his him. former self.”

“A small matter to make these silly folks so full of Scrooge says that Fezziwig was a good boss because he was generous gratitude.” (Ghost of Christmas Past) and made his workers happy. This makes Scrooge realise that he is a bad boss because he is not nice to his worker, Bob Cratchit. ‘It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy […] The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.” (Scrooge) “‘Something, I think?’ the Ghost insisted. The ghost keeps asking Scrooge question because the ghost wants an ‘No,’ said Scrooge, ‘No. I should like to be answer from him. Scrooge says that he wishes he could speak to Bob able to say a word or two to my clerk just Cratchit. Perhaps he wants to apologise about not being nicer. now! That’s all.’” “You are changed. When it was made, Belle, Scrooge’s fiancée, says that Scrooge has changed since they first you were another man.” met. Scrooge is now more concerned about money than he is about her. Belle says that Scrooge has changed so much it is like he is a different person. This is why she leaves him. “But the relentless ghost pinioned him in The word “relentless” suggests that the ghost is not giving up on both his arms, and forced him to observe Scrooge. The ghost is forcing Scrooge to watch what happens next, what happened next.” even though it will upset him. The reason being, the ghost wants Scrooge to redeem himself and change. “mother and daughter laughed heartily, and This shows that Scrooge could have had a loving family and happiness enjoyed it very much;” (Belle and her children) with Belle. Instead, he chose a life of misery and loneliness. Therefore, Scrooge regrets that he did not treat Belle better. “His partner lies upon the point of death, I hear; and here he sat alone. Quite alone in the world, I do believe.” (Belle’s husband on seeing Scrooge).