Name: __________________________________
Period: ____________
Due Date: December 20, 2012 (the day of the UNIT TEST!)
Literary Elements and Devices for This Unit
Characterization
The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.
Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect
characterization.
Direct Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well-mannered and did not disobey their mother.”
Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient”
and the girl is “quiet.”
Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods
of indirect characterization: STEAL, speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, looks
Setting
The general locale, historical time, and social circumstances in which the action of a
fictional or dramatic work occurs; the setting of an episode or scene within a work is
the particular physical location in which it takes place.
Theme
The message about life that comes out of a story. Theme can either be stated or
unstated in a story.
Symbolism
Something concrete that stands for something abstract. A symbol may be a person,
place, thing, or action. It may stand for an idea, belief, feeling, or attitude. A symbol
keeps its own meaning while also standing for something else.
Imagery
Words or phrases that appeal to the senses and conjure up mental images. Imagery
helps the reader imagine the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings associated
with a character’s or author’s experiences. Imagery appears extensively in setting,
character description, and nature poetry.
Flashback
Foreshadowing
An interruption in a story to tell about events that happened earlier. Flashbacks can
appear as character memories or dreams, or in dialogue or narration. Flashbacks
provided background information that clarifies current actions in the story.
The use of clues early in a story to give hints about events that will happen later.
Dynamic Character
Character changes, grows, or learns something by the end of the story.
Static Character
Character experiences no major change in story.
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________________
Advanced English Period: ____________
A Christmas Carol
Stave 1 – Check Your Comprehension Questions (pgs. 1-16)
Due date: _____________________________________
Directions: Using your book, answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences. (If you
need more space, attach another sheet of paper!)
1. Who is Marley? - page 1
2. How did people react to Scrooge? – page 2
3. Why does Scrooge’s nephew visit? – page 4
4. Who enters Scrooge’s business after his nephew leaves? – page 5
5. What do the men want? – page 5
6. How does Scrooge react to them? – pages 5-6
7. Scrooge lets his clerk have the 25th off on what condition? – page 8
8. In whose house does Scrooge live? – page 8
9. Describe Scrooge’s chambers. – page 8
10. How long ago did Marley die? – page 8
11. What did scrooge see on his door knocker? How did he react? – pages 8-9
12. What did Scrooge do after he entered his house? – pages 9-10
13. Describe the appearance of Marley’s ghost. – page 11
14. Was Scrooge upset or bothered by Marley’s ghost? Explain your reasoning. Cite the text! – page
12
15. Why is Marley’s ghost still on the earth? – pages 13-14
16. Why does Marley say he is visiting Scrooge? – page 15
17. When will the three ghosts arrive? (List the name of each and the time of his arrival. Pg. 15)
Setting
Describe when and where the story takes place.
Time Period
Place/Surroundings
Historical
Context(What do you
know about the
country at this time?)
Time of Year
Final questionWhy is the setting important in the novel?
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Characterization
Find one solid example of each of the following methods of characterization for each character list below in Stave One.
Scrooge
Direct Characterization (Directly Stated by the narrator)
Indirect (Speech)
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with
‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own
pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through is heart.
He should!’”
Indirect (Thoughts of the Character)
Indirect ( Effects on Others; other characters opinions)
Indirect (Actions *Most important)
Indirect (Looks *Least Important)
List one or two significant character traits that can describe Scrooge based on the information in the chart.
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Imagery in Stave One!
Find a piece of imagery for setting and highlight the excerpt in your book. Make sure to
include the page number. In the box below, check off which senses are conveyed in the
excerpt you choose.
Page Number______
See
Hear
Smell
Taste
Touch
Find a piece of imagery for characterization and highlight the excerpt in your book. Make
sure to include the page number. In the box below, check off which senses are conveyed in
the excerpt you choose.
Page number______
See
Hear
Smell
Taste
Touch
And I Quote…….
Explain the meaning of these quotes from A Christmas Carol. Make sure you include the name of the person
who said it.
Stave One
“’I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, yard by yard. I girded it on of my own free will, and of my
own free will I wore it.’”
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“’But I am sure that I always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round- as a good time: the only time I
know of, when men and women seem to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them
as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other
journeys. And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it
has done me good, and that it will do me good; and I say, God bless it!’”
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“’What is Christmas time to you but a time of paying bills without any money; a time for finding yourself a year
older, but not an hour richer. If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his
lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through is heart. He should!’”
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“’Business!!!! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance,
benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive
ocean of my business.”
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Name: _____________________________________________________
#:_______
Date: ______________________________________________________
Advanced English Period: ____________
SECTION: Other
A Christmas Carol
Stave 2 – Check Your Comprehension Questions (pgs. 17-30)
Due date: _____________________________________
Directions: Using your book, answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences. (If you
need more space, attach another sheet of paper!)
1. Scrooge asks himself, “Was it a dream or not?” Does he think it is or isn’t? Explain your answer and
cite examples from the text. – page 17
2. Who is the first spirit? - page 18
2a. Describe him. – page 18
3. Where do the spirit and Scrooge “fly” past first? – page 20
3a. How did Scrooge feel about being back there? – page 20
4. How did Scrooge feel when he saw himself as a boy? – pages 20-21
5. What would have surprised Scrooge’s business friends? – page 21
6. What does Scrooge regret from the night before? What does he wish he had done differently? –
page 22
7. Where do the spirit and Scrooge travel to next? – page 22
8. Who is Fan? – page 22
8a. What happened to her when she grew up? – page 23
9. Where do the spirit and Scrooge travel to next? – page 24
10. Who is Fezziwig? – pages 24-25
10a. Describe Fezziwig’s characteristics. – pages 24-25
10b. How is he a different boss than Scrooge? (your opinion)
11. How does Scrooge react to seeing the wonderful Christmas Eve party that Fezziweg had for his
employees? – page 26 and 27
12. What was the next event that the spirit took Scrooge to? – page 27
13. “It matters little,” she said softly. “To you, very little. Another idol has displaced me; and if it can
cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.”
“What Idol has displaced you?” he rejoined.
“A golden one.” – page 27
What is the woman referring to in this part? What has replaced her? Explain your response.
14. Explain the significance of this quote: “You may—the memory of what is past half makes me hope
you will—have pain in this. A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the recollection of it, gladly as
an unprofitable dream, from which it happened well that you awoke. May you be happen in the life
that you have chosen!” – page 28
15. What scene did the spirit take Scrooge to next? – page 29
15a. What did Scrooge see here? – pages 29-30
15b. How did Scrooge react to seeing this? CITE THE TEXT to support your response. – page 30
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________________
Advanced English Period: ____________
A Christmas Carol
Stave 3 – Check Your Comprehension Questions (pgs. 31-50)
Due date: _____________________________________
Directions: Using your book, answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences.
(If you need more space, attach another sheet of paper!)
1. How did Scrooge react when the second spirit didn’t arrive “when the bell struck one?” – pages 3132
2. After Scrooge got up, what did he enter? Describe how it appeared. – page 32
3. Describe the appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Present. – page 33
4. Explain the importance of this quote: “‘Spirit,’ said Scrooge submissively, ‘conduct me where you
will. I went forth last night on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you
aught to teach me, let me profit by it.’” – page 33
5. Where did the spirit take Scrooge to? Briefly describe it. – pages 34-35
6. What could the spirit do with his torch? Cite examples from the text to support your response. – pgs.
35-36
7. Where did the Ghost of Christmas Present take him next? – page 36
8. Who was present in the Cratchit’s home? List the members. – page 37
9. Describe Tiny Tim. – pages 37-38
10. How is the demeanor of the Cratchit’s? (Describe their attitudes.) – pages 37-38, 40
11. What will happen to Tiny Tim? What can change that? Cite examples from the text to support your
response. – page 40
12. Who does Cratchit toast? How does the family react? – pages 40-41
13. Where did the spirit take him after they were at the Cratchit’s house? – page 42
14. List one example of figurative language on page 42. Explain why it is that type of figurative
language.
15. Then, on page 44, where did they visit?
16. How do Scrooge’s niece and nephew feel about him? – pages 44-46
17. What did the family do after dinner? Describe their activities. – page 46
18. Why did Scrooge beg to stay at the party? – page 47
19. Do you think that Scrooge was happy or sad that he stayed? Explain your reasoning. Pages 47-48
20. What did Scrooge notice about the change in the spirit’s appearance? – pages 48-49
21. How long will the spirit be “upon the globe?” – page 49
22. What was under the spirit’s robe? List and describe what was under the robe. – page 49
23. “‘Are there no prisons?’ said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. ‘Are
there no workhouses?’” – Explain why this part of the text is ironic. (Hint: Look back to Stave I!) – page
50
24. Find another example of figurative language in Stave III. (Including: imagery, personification,
metaphor, simile, alliteration, assonance, etc.) Write down the text, the page number and explain
why it is that particular element of figurative language.
Characterization
Find one solid example of each of the following methods of characterization for each character list below in Staves two
and three.
Scrooge
Direct Characterization (Directly Stated by the narrator)
Indirect (Speech)
Indirect (Thoughts of the Character)
Indirect ( Effects on Others; other characters opinions)
Indirect (Actions *Most important)
Indirect (Looks *Least Important)
List one or two significant character traits that can describe Scrooge based on the information in the chart.
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Evidence of Change
1. What evidence from the text shows how Scrooge has changed by the end
of Stave Two?
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2. What evidence from the text shows how Scrooge has changed by the end
of Stave Three?
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And I Quote…….
Stave Two
‘”The school is quite deserted, ‘said the Ghost. ‘A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.
‘Scrooge said he knew it and he sobbed.’”
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Stave Three
“’ I see a vacant seat…..in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner carefully preserved. If
these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.’”
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“’I am sorry for him; I couldn’t be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself always. Here, he
takes it into his head to dislike us, and he won’t come and dine with us. What’s the consequence?’”
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Name: _____________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________________
Advanced English Period: ____________
A Christmas Carol
Staves 4 and 5 – Check Your Comprehension Questions (pgs. 50-68)
Due date: _____________________________________
Directions: Using your book, answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences.
(If you need more space, attach another sheet of paper!)
STAVE IV: (pgs. 50-62)
1. Who is the last spirit? Describe him. CITE THE TEXT to support your response. – pages 50-51
2. On page 51 Scrooge says, “‘Ghost of the Future!’ he exclaimed, ‘I fear you more than any Spectre I
have seen. But, as I know your promise is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man
from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not
speak to me?’” How has Scrooge changed up until this point? (Think back to when he first saw
Marley and the other two spirits.)
3. What is the first scene that the spirit took him to? Describe what they witnessed. – page 51
4. Who were the men that were talking about Scrooge? – page 52
5. On page 52, who did Scrooge think the men were talking about?
6. On page 53, what does Scrooge notice?
7. What was the next scene the spirit took Scrooge to? – page 53
8. What did they see there? (Reference pages 53-56.)
9. How did Scrooge feel about hearing that? – page 56
10. “ ‘If there is any person in the town, who feels emotion caused by this man’s death,’ said Scrooge
quite agonized, ‘show that person to me, Spirit, I beseech you!’” Describe what happened after
Scrooge said that. – pages 57-58
11. After seeing the woman who had broken his heart so long ago, where did the spirit take him next?
– page 59
12. What did Bob Cratchit say the lesson was that Tiny Tim taught to his family? – page 61
13. Before Scrooge sees the name on the grave, what does he want to know? – page 62
14. How did Scrooge react when he learned it was his name on the grave? – page 62
15. What does Scrooge say that he vows to do if he can continue living? – page 62
STAVE V: (pgs. 63-68)
16. When Scrooge is back in his bedroom how does he react? – page 63
17. How has Scrooge changed since the beginning of the story? Include at least ONE quote from the
text to support your answer.
18. What day does Scrooge realize it is? – page 64
19. What does Scrooge ask the little boy to do? – page 64
20. Where is he going to send what he sent the little boy to get? – page 64
21. What did Scrooge say about his door knocker? How does this relate to the beginning of the story?
– page 65
22. Describe how Scrooge walks down the street now, as opposed to how he used to. – page 65
23. Describe the encounter that Scrooge had with the portly gentleman from the day before. – pages
65-66
24. Who does Scrooge stop in to see? - page 66
24a. How do they react? – page 67
25. What did Scrooge do for Crachit that would have been VERY out of his character before? – page
67
25a. How did Cratchit react? – page 67
26. How did people react to the change in Scrooge’s demeanor? – page 68
27. Did Scrooge keep his word? Explain how he did this, citing examples from the story to support
your response. - page 68
Characterization
Find one solid example of each of the following methods of characterization for each character list below in Staves Four
and Five.
Scrooge
Direct Characterization (Directly Stated by the narrator)
Indirect (Speech)
Indirect (Thoughts of the Character)
Indirect ( Effects on Others; other characters opinions)
Indirect (Actions *Most important)
Indirect (Looks *Least Important)
List one or two significant character traits that can describe Scrooge based on the information in the chart.
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Evidence of Change
1. What evidence from the text shows how Scrooge has
changed by the end of Stave Four?
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2. What evidence from the text shows how Scrooge has changed by the end
of Stave Five?
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And I Quote…….
Stave Four
‘”It’s likely to be a very cheap funeral,’ said the same speaker, ‘for upon my life, I don’t know of anybody to go
to it. Suppose we make up a party and volunteer?’”
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“’Spirit,’ he cried, tight clutching at it rob, ‘hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have
been but for this intercourse. Why show me this if I am past all hope?’”
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Stave Five
‘” and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him,
but he let them laugh, and little heeded them, for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened
on his globe for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter.’”
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Theme
Evidence from the text. Include the page number.
Symbol
Scrooge
Bob Cratchit
Ghost of
Christmas Past
Ghost of
Christmas Present
Ghost of
Christmas Future
Marley’s chain
The girl Want
Symbolic meaning
The boy
Ignorance