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Novellas and Collaborative Works
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A Christmas Carol - Staves 1 - 2 (hosted by Connie and Sara)
I apologize for posting tonight vs. tomorrow morning, however tomorrow morning might not be possible for me...so with many thanks for Connie for a brilliant discussion on Stave I, here is the summary for Stave II.Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits
"These are the shadows of things that have been. That they are what they are, do not blame me!"
It is two o’clock when Scrooge goes to bed, but he is awakened by the chiming of twelve on the clock. He rises to see if it is day or night and thinks of the money and how it would be processed on the exchange if there were no day to enter.
While he is still pondering whether all is a dream or not, the strike of one comes and a hand slowly pulls aside his bed curtain. Standing there is an old man with a child’s proportions, a green holly in his hand and a dress trimmed in summer flowers. He holds a cap shaped like a candle snuffer.
He identifies himself as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Scrooge immediately suggests he put on his cap, which the ghost points out would snuff him out before he has begun. With Scrooge holding onto him, the ghost takes them out the window and they find themselves on a country road.
They have entered Scrooge’s past, and he sees before him boys he knew as a child. This is his school, a dreary place, and while the other boys are leaving, Scrooge has been left behind. Scrooge sees and pities himself and then remembers There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something, that’s all.
The ghost fast forwards to another Christmas and Scrooge’s sister, Fan, enters to rescue him from his loneliness and take him home. The ghost recalls that she was a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered. But she had a large heart. He reminds Scrooge that she had a child, his nephew.
They transition to the city and Scrooge as a young man, working for Mr. Fezziwig. He sees his old friend, Dick, a fellow clerk. They clear the space in the shop. People pour in from the neighborhood and the dancing begins. There is a fiddler and food, and Scrooge joins in with the shades of his past, tapping his feet and enjoying the frivolity. After the festivities are over, the Fezziwigs stand at the door and shake each person’s hand individually, wishing them a Merry Christmas.
The ghost points out that very little money was spent but the praise for Fezziwig is abundant, and Scrooge replies that it is not the money but the happiness that matters. Then he wishes he might have a “word with my clerk.”
They advance to Scrooge with an older face in which the signs of avarice are now showing. He is sitting with a girl, whose conversation tells us they are promised. She offers to release Scrooge, as she knows his heart has changed and he now desires money more than it desires her. As a dowerless girl, she says he would not choose her now, and he denies very weakly then accepts. She wishes him well and they part.
The ghost and Scrooge immediately pass to a scene of domestic life in which the girl, much older now, is surrounded with a brood of children. Scrooge ponders how the children might have been his own. The children’s father enters and tells her that he has just seen Scrooge sitting alone in the window of his office, while Marley is on the brink of death.
Scrooge insists on being taken away and in a struggle with the ghost seizes the cap, forces it upon his head, and extinguishes him. He then finds himself back in his bed and sinks into a heavy sleep.
This stave represents the beginning of Scrooges’ journey from ignorance to enlightenment. It is significant that the Ghost of Christmas Past is the first visitation, because it helps us to see some important pieces of Scrooge’s life puzzle; how he got to where he now is. While the opening Stave does not build any sympathy in us for Scrooge, I believe the second makes it quite impossible for us not to sympathize. Finding him left alone at the school (a bit of Dickens’ own life that echoes David Copperfield); seeing him rescued by his loving sister, a reminder that he was loved and that there is someone she loved for whom he has given no thought, his nephew; the party at Fezziwig’s where he is part of a community of people and sees that love and happiness cost little but are priceless; and finally seeing what he missed when he let Belle slip away from him so easily, illustrates what has been lost to Scrooge as he has withdrawn from life.
This look at his past begins to chip at Scrooge’s hardened heart. He wishes he had given something to the boy singing carols at his door. He wishes he could have a word with Crachit when he sees how kindly he was treated by Fezziwig and how much joy it gave him. And, he wishes he had the family he deprived himself of when he failed to put Belle and her love above his thirst for money.
I believe the description of the Ghost of Christmas Past is significant. He is both old with white hair and yet childlike, for the past is ancient history, long gone, but it is where the innocence of childhood dwells. It is where the seeds of who we are are sown and where the person we were meant to be is still visible beneath the person we were shaped into by life itself.
Scrooge snuffs out the past when it becomes too difficult to look at any longer. In his past, Scrooge sees himself as part of humanity, community and life, and simultaneously sees himself push that away for the love of money. In his present he is wealthy, but he is alone, and he does not even enjoy the wealth he has amassed. An aside: (I thought of Mr. Merdle in our recent read of Little Dorrit, who was also not made happy by the money he had sold his soul to accumulate, although, of course, he was opulent in his lifestyle vs. the miserliness of Scrooge.)
I am particularly fond of this illustration of Old Fezziwig dancing.
Scrooge snuffing out the ghostly visitor:
Thanks Connie. You did a fine job leading the convo. Hope to see you again as lead.Hello Sara. We said we wanted to read together again. We have our wish :)
This read is different from any I expected. I never thought to feel sympathy for Scrooge. What strikes me is that this is not me practicing sympathy, that this sympathy is spontaneous. I think, no, I know this sympathy will make what happens on the morning after the third spirit seem to me even happier and brighter. Glad to be along for the ride.
Thanks so much Connie for all of the insights and background information you have provided to make the first week of this read so enjoyable and informative.
The illustrations are wonderful - thanks so much for sharing!
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For those who have not looked at the beginning of our thread, Sara is our leader for Staves 2 and 3 (i.e. the next 12 days). Connie set the bar high, and Sara is maintaining it and keeping us all focussed on Stave 2. That is why those hosting each section write us a summary in our reads, to anchor us. Some members may not know this story, so it is still important not to skip ahead, thanks everyone.
Nisa helpfully links the sections at the beginning of the thread, for ease of use, and to avoid spoilers.
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As Connie said, thank you for the information about your zoom read. A lovely way to help. I know for a fact that some of our members will be alone this Christmas, and that will be a wonderful way for them to share the story.
I wonder if you know of Charles Dickens's own annotated copy (with reading notes for performance, to himself). Here is a page:
Copy for Charles Dickens's own readings, which he had edited by hand
There is a book containing many of these, and also the "Charles Dickens Museum" in Doughty Street (London) has a lot.
I too very much like the Patrick Stewart film of A Christmas Carol. He's a fine actor. As you say, Stave 1 in that version actually starts at Marley's funeral & as he's signing the mourners book". I agree it is authentic, right from the beginning couple of paragraphs :)
I do hope you will join in our read. As you will have gathered, we have now completed Stave 1 and are beginning Stave 2.
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Yes, Stave 2 is the one where we being to feel sympathy for Scrooge. As Sara pointed out, it is impossible not to. He weeps several times, mourning what "might have been". And we still have the delightful humour we had at the start. For example, when the Ghost says it is Scrooge's welfare which has brought him there;
"Scrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end."
I do like crusty, cantankerous Ebenezer Scrooge, right from the start :) And I think this is because of the way Charles Dickens has written him. He is appealing, and funny - and very human. Damaged by his past, with a fearful exterior, he feels as much as anyone, and here he sobs for what he has lost. As yet we do not know how it happened, but we see his rejection quite clearly.
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The comparison with Mr. Merdle was spot-on too. More than you said, really, as although he provided for Mrs. Merdle's opulent home and lifestyle, if you remember his own was sparing. He only took a very little plain food, and did not enjoy any of the lavish parties she threw. All the money-grubbing was for nothing in both his case and Scrooge's; neither enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle. Another personal comparison for Charles Dickens is with Scrooge's sister Fanny - but you (or someone else) may intend to write about this, so I won't :)
"the Ghost of Christmas Past is significant. He is both old with white hair and yet childlike, for the past is ancient history, long gone, but it is where the innocence of childhood dwells ..."
Yes, and going on to the loss of potential. Your observations are astute. I do find the image of the Ghost of Christmas Past is the most difficult to visualise, although this is a very visual story. In fact as we noted with all the noises in Stave 1, all our senses are heightened in A Christmas Carol.
Not specific to Stave 2 - but received this article in an email today and thought folk might be interested. It's about Dicken's motivation to write the story.https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/20...
It was my pleasure to kick off the reading of "A Christmas Carol." I appreciated everyone's contributions to the reading of Stave One.Sara, thank you for your wonderful summary and discussion of Stave Two. We feel sympathy for the lonely little boy who spent Christmas alone in the boarding school. Scrooge has such terrible memories of Christmas during his school years. His "Bah! Humbug!" reaction to Christmas as an adult started in the boarding school.
I love the illustrations!
Thank you, Connie. You are a hard act to follow. Jean, I love the copy with Dickens' notes for his performance. I can imagine what a thrill it would have been to have sat in a reading by the Boz himself.
I did prepare a bit of information on Fanny. I find her quite fascinating. I have siblings, and a variety of relationships with them, so I am interested in the dynamics between the two. There could have been so much resentment and jealousy, but instead there was devotion and love.
One of the most poignant relationships in Charles Dickens’ life was his older sister, Fanny. She appears in A Christmas Carol as Scrooge’s sister, Little Fan, and her son, Henry, can be found, not in Fan’s son, Fred, but in the inimitable Tiny Tim.
Fanny Dickens was a skilled musician, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and who was expected to be the “famous” Dickens, not her brother, Charles. While Charles was sent to work at a very young age and had his own education neglected, Fanny was sent to the Academy at a cost to the family that must been burdensome, since payment of the fees was often in arrears, and Dickens’ father, in fact, did time in a debtors’ prison.
The idea of A Christmas Carol apparently came together for Dickens during a visit to London for a speaking engagement, when he also visited his sister, Fanny. His speech was on the importance of education for the lower classes, and his time with Fanny and Henry inspired him to explore the effects of disability on a family, a major element of the Tiny Tim part of the story.
On September 2, 1848, Fanny succumbed to tuberculosis and died. Her son, Harry, died soon afterwards, and the two were buried together at Highgate Cemetery in London. Fanny had a huge influence on her brother’s life and writing, and is immortalized for us all in a simple visit of rescue in Stave II of A Christmas Carol.
Highgate Cemetery
Jean, I am glad you left for us to see Dicken's oratory notes. Rhetoric was part of a college-bound schoolboy's education here in US until the mid-19th century. About same in England? I better imagine I hear Dicken's voice with this quote from an article of artofmanliness.com:
Oratory is not mere speaking, but speech that appeals to our noblest sentiments, animates our souls, stirs passions and emotions, and inspires virtuous action.
Thanks for all the information, Sara. Especially about Fanny, (but all the info is great!).Now we read more about the time issue. It was 2 when Scrooge went to bed, but now it is midnight. So it is some type of magical thing. I forgot that the time issue was brought up again.
Also, I forgot how Scrooge's heart was already being to melt with the first spirit.
Thank you Connie for your work with Stave 1. I read Stave 2 today and look forward to out discussion. Thanks for the summary Sara.
While reading Stave 2 I thought a lot about Dickens way of presenting time and his announcements for the visits by the ghosts. We talked about it before. I am on board with the magical explanation we had and I understand Scrooge's joy of not having missed a whole day but it took me a while understand his (financial?) fears:
This was a great relief, because "three days after sight of this First of Exchange pay to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge or his order," and so forth, would have become a mere United State´s security if there were no days to count by.
He is only afraid of losing money when he thinks about missing days instead of other important parts of his life, right?
Kathrin wrote: "He is only afraid of losing money when he thinks about missing days instead of other important parts of his life, right?"Exactly, Kathrin. Scrooge's life has become about money as an end rather than anything good he might do with the money or how it might make his life or other lives better.
Again Dickens is ahead of his time on psychology. Both psychotherapy and many self-development programs require people to look at the traumas of childhood to see how they have become who they are today. Ebenezer was abandoned as a child, and although he had friends and a woman in his life at one point, he was somewhat programmed to be defensive and shut himself off from people to prove he didn't need them. Money became his measure of success. We have seen many people fall into this trap with money or fame taking the place of healthy relationships. The Ghost of Christmas Past is usually shown as a child, not an old man of childish size, in the movies I recall. But it makes sense that he would be related to Old Father Time.
Robin P wrote: "The Ghost of Christmas Past is usually shown as a child, not an old man of childish size, in the movies I recall. But it makes sense that he would be related to Old Father Time."My experience as well, Robin. I like that he is an old man with a childish demeanor and heart.
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Here's a link to another thread, where we discuss and look at a sculpture of her which was erected earlier this year LINK HERE.
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In a way, the stories are "scripts" where his imagination took flight, but to watch him perform must have been a joy indeed! There are many newspaper reviews attesting to this :)
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Oh dear, I winced when I read that bit, and half hoped nobody would pick up on it. I'll explain more, as it is from an English point of view. No, Scrooge is not just saying that time is money, and that this is the only time he notices it. I'm afraid Charles Dickens is having a go at the USA again :(
Here is the quotation:
"This was a great relief, because “three days after sight of this First of Exchange pay to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge or his order,” and so forth, would have become a mere United States’ security if there were no days to count by."
You'll know that a "Bill of Exchange" is an agreement between two parties. It promises to pay money after a fixed period, and is signed by both parties, to prove they agree to it. There is usually be a three day "grace" period, to allow the acceptor time to get the cash together when the bill is presented for payment.
Now at the time of writing, 1843, Charles Dickens was aware of a financial scandal in the USA, such that British people referred to the USA as "a nation of swindlers".
The Second Bank of the United States had gone out of business in 1836, and many States began to feel the economic pinch, as they had regularly used the Bank of the United States to support their bond issues. When it failed, they were no longer able to borrow from the bank to pay their interest, and eight states went into default. These were Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi and Pennsylvania, in addition to the Florida territory.
On the other side, the States' refusal to pay interest brought harsh criticism down on the whole country, and its reputation abroad was at an new all-time low.
Charles Dickens was playing to the prejudices of the current population, and using "a mere United States’ security" as a deep insult. It is highly topical for 1943!
I can see (and enjoy) that Jean.I know Dickens gave public readings of Christmas Carol and enjoyed these readings. His book marked with oration notes clearly shows so. The stories that come to us tells us how the audiences loved Dickens' voice acting. In rhetoric, ideally sound and meaning merge. They seem to do so in Dicken's work.
One of the reasons for my spending 2021 here is to make time for reading what has long been on my tbr: Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World by Simon Callow. When I can write this book into my schedule, I will then request a buddy read ;)
There was a nice article from the British Library about the shortened version of "A Christmas Carol" that Dickens used for his stage presentations. It was a published version. Dickens used a special version with large margins for notes and stage directions, as Jean's photograph shows.https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/ad...#
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Now, back to Stave 2 with Sara ...
I will try to participate in this group read! Will order it today!
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Bionic Jean wrote: "Thanks Connie! A very detailed book on this is Charles Dickens and His Performing Selves Dickens and the Public Readings by Malcolm Andrews."It sounds fascinating, Jean. Your enthusiasm for Dickens is infectious!
I always feel surprised that Ebenezer reacts to first ghost, it's like he is opened to change a second and then closed again. I agree with that Dickens was ahead of his time rooting adult defects in childhood traumas (I'm sorry, I didn't note who said it in the comments).What I find a little sad in different movie versions is that sometimes Belle is completely ignored and yet she explains a lot on how Ebenezer changed and why. Money becomes his crutch a little by little without him seeing it as a problem and I think Belle's underlines that he wasn't always a miser.
Antoinette wrote: "Thank you, Connie and Jean and Kathryn and everyone for such wonderful comments. I have been learning so much. I watched The Man Who Invented Christmas last evening and found it to be a fun additio..."I enjoyed The Man who Invented Christmas also.
I was re-reading the initial characterization of Scrooge and what the visual that leapt up in my mind was of the Grinch with his cold, tiny heart living a solitary existence. I know nothing of Dr. Seuss's inspiration but wonder if Scrooge and the redemptive story of A Christmas Carol itself were inspirations for The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Anyone?
I'm sure Dr. Seuss was well aware of Scrooge when he wrote The Grinch. It basically is the same message, that material wealth isn't what is important. It is also in the vein of a not-particularly-religious view of Christmas. The underlying message of kindness and connection is bigger than one religion.
France-Andrée wrote: "I’m not sure thar Marley is really doing what he does for Scrooges’ sake entirely. Marley’s been roaming through the world seeing the good he could have done and it being too late then he is given ..."I had that same thought while reading through the story this time round. Especially when Marley says to Scrooge "I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day . . . . that was no light part of my penance".
It made me wonder if Marley appearing to Scrooge was some how a way to lessen Marley's own penance.
Does anyone know what the St. Dunstan reference in this passage means? (This quote comes from Stave One, and I apologize for being late to the discussion. I'm getting caught up today!!)"Foggier yet, and colder! Piercing, searching, biting cold. If the good St. Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirit's nose with a touch of such weather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons, then indeed he would have roared to lusty purpose."
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"St Dunstan, as the story goes,
Once pull'd the devil by the nose
With red-hot tongs, which made him roar,
That he was heard three miles or more."
St. Dunstan was an English bishop (c. 909 – 19 May 988) who was later canonised as a saint. He was the most popular saint in England for nearly two centuries, and there were many stories about his cunning in defeating the devil. References to St. Dunstan appear in a few modern stories too.
I love Scrooge's comment to the Spirit just before he is to leave his room:"I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."
More of Dickens' humor but I'm sure I'd be thinking the exact same thing! How are we going to get to where we're going?
They passed through the wall and seemingly into a completely different time and place. Then as Scrooge realizes that he's back to his old school grounds, he smells the familiar scents and feels joys that were long forgotten. Then we see where Scrooge visibly shows emotion and it's so tender but he doesn't really want to make it known.
"Your lip is trembling," said the Ghost. "And what is that upon your cheek?"
A pimple, Scrooge?!?! Nope. That's definitely a tear!
Bionic Jean wrote: "Kathrin - "He is only afraid of losing money when he thinks about missing days instead of other important parts of his life, right?" (and Sara)Oh dear, I winced when I read that bit, and half hop..."
Thanks for the explanation Jean. I was hoping someone would know what was behind that reference.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Kathrin - "He is only afraid of losing money when he thinks about missing days instead of other important parts of his life, right?" (and Sara)Oh dear, I winced when I read that bit, and half hop..."
Thanks for the explanation! I didn‘t get the political meaning behind the remark before but now I see that Dickens implied a lot with this remark.
As for Scrooge‘s sudden change when he visited his past: this made it believable that he hasn‘t been always a mean person. As soon as he is faced with his past, he changes his opinion. Maybe he used to be a kind and somewhat generous person but life made him hard. This also hints that it‘s possible to change his life completely once he encountered all three spirits. For someone else this wouldn‘t have been a possibility.
Lori wrote: "I love Scrooge's comment to the Spirit just before he is to leave his room:"I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."
More of Dickens' humor but I'm sure I'd be thinking the e..."
I also love the double meaning in Scrooge's words. They evoke the fall from Eden and emphasize the weakness and imperfections of mankind. Being mortal, we are "liable to fall", but Scrooge is held up by merely the touch of the spirit's robe. While this is not a religious piece, there are religious certainly undertones.
The first images of the past are those of Scrooge in the schoolhouse alone.
...for entering the dreary hall, and glancing through the open doors of many rooms, they found them poorly furnished, cold and vast. There was an earthy savour in the air, a chilly bareness in the place, which associated itself somehow with too much getting up by candlelight, and not too much to eat.
Such a place should bring up sad or bitter memories for Scrooge, and yet
Not a latent echo in the house, not a squeak and scuffle from the mice behind the panelling, not a drip from the half-thawed water spout in the dull yard behind, not a sigh among the leafless boughs of one despondent poplar, not the idle swinging of an empty store-house door, no, not a clicking in the fire, but fell upon the heart of Scrooge with a softening influence, and gave a freer passage to his tears.
Why does the past soften him so? Because there is so much good among the bad; the joyful boys he has already encountered leaving for holiday, and of course, Fan, whom we have already discussed.
I can certainly look back on my childhood and see that we lacked a great many of the conveniences and material advantages that we enjoy today. Food was sometimes short and my mother had a brood to feed, there was heat in only one room of our house and the winters could be cold, the house was small with only one bathroom for too many people to share. But, when I look back upon my childhood, I do not see or feel that cold, I see the warmth of my Mother, the delights of my sisters. I remember lying in the cold bed, warming my feet against my sister's legs, and having my older sister tell us stories before we drifted to sleep. And I remember anticipating Christmas in a way that I am absolutely sure my great-granddaughter does not.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this discussion - thank you so much Sara, Connie and Jean!I was struck by how affectionately Scrooge seems to remember characters from his past. In Stave One he shows no affectionate inclinations yet immediately in Stave Two he shows fondness for the characters from his past:
"Why was he rejoinced beyond all bounds to see them? Why did his cold eye glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past?..."
"Why it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart..."
Also, as many have already mentioned, we see that Scrooge's childhood has played a large part in forming his character. I would have liked to learn more about his father, as Fan says:
"Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home's like heaven!"
I'm definitely feeling so much more sympathy for Scrooge in this Stave. Perhaps society has shaped him and is in part to blame for his current character? It's so great to see how he is gradually unravelled...
Excellent observation about the Fall of Man, Sara. I too believe that Dickens has written in some undertones of faith. We’ve already read how Marley laments not having “raised his eyes to that blessed star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode.” And now we are witnessing the beginning of Scrooge’s redemption.
I also thought of your comments regarding the school that should have brought him unhappy memories. I think, as you have so eloquently described in your own experiences, that looking back to our past is usually happy and can be cathartic. Maybe with Scrooge, he was purifying or cleansing the bad memories and this was a first step in his redemption and forgiveness process. He saw the happiness in his classmates and even joy while he was alone reading his books. The characters were there with him keeping him company.
I had forgotten the part about Scrooge’s younger self having as friends Ali Baba, Robinson Crusoe, and the rest. This reflects Dickens’ own fondness for books during his childhood illness. I had also forgotten that we get to see the happy life Belle had without him. She made the right decision! The description of the boisterous children probably came from Dickens’ married life, including minor crises, like whether the baby swallowed something.
Yes, little pieces of Dickens' own life creep in. David Copperfield also found solace and friendship in the books he found in the attic when Mr. Murdstone locked him in.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Bridget - Charles Dickens is thinking of an old folk rhyme:"St Dunstan, as the story goes,
Once pull'd the devil by the nose
With red-hot tongs, which made him roar,
That he was h..."
Thank you so much Jean! This is delightful, and now the sentence by Dickens makes so much more sense.
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France-Andrée - Yes, dramatisations often miss out Belle, and yet I agree her character is significant; she adds depth and meaning.
Laura - I too always feel I would like to know more about Scrooge's father. It would perhaps explain a lot, but Charles Dickens is so skilled at implying this by suggestion.
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These books were also Charles Dickens's personal favourites, both as a child of nine, and as an adult. He read them over and over again:
The Adventures of Roderick Random, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle and The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, all by Tobias Smollett,
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding
The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith,
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
The Adventures of Gil Blas by Alain-René Le Sage
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
plus Arabian Nights: Tales Of Thousand Nights & A Night Vol 1 and The Tales of the Genii.
Dickensians!
Books mentioned in this topic
David Copperfield (other topics)Winnie-the-Pooh (other topics)
Charles Dickens Magician: Conjuring in Life, Letters and Literature (other topics)
A Christmas Carol (other topics)
Tales of a Thousand and One Nights: Volume 1 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Arthur Rackham (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Globe Fearon (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
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That's a great Halloween idea!
Are you planning on doing live readings, post-pandemic, dressed as Dickens? Many libraries have programs with people doing their impressions of famous authors.
We'll enjoy hearing your insights about the book.