A Christmas Carol - Stave Two
Important literary terms:
Catharsis - the purging and redemption of emotions.
Complication - events leading to the climax.
Conceit - a comparison that is abstract in concept.
Onomatopoeia - words that are spelled the way they sound.
Stave two begins with Scrooge counting the clock and waiting for
the arrival of the first spirit. At first he does not think the spirit will
arrive, but sure enough - as the clock strikes one - the spirit
arrives. The narrator indicates that he too is a spirit who is with us
all the time. He says, "I am standing in the spirit at your elbow." The Ghost of Christmas Past's description is bizarre. From his
shapeshifting capabilities, to his muscular arms, his youth, his old
age, the shining light beaming out of his head, and his tunic and
his dress, the description is truly peculiar. Scrooge ends up walking with the Ghost, and
the Ghost brings him to the town he was raised in. Scrooge becomes very emotional in
this chapter, and the reader may feel pity for him, which is important for us as the reader
if we hope that Scrooge with achieve catharsis.
Scrooge weeps at the sight of the town, although he initially calls his tears a "pimple." In
short order, the audience finds out Scrooge was a lonely child. As the reader observes
the young Scrooge, they seem him talking to his imaginary friends. His imaginary
friends are all allusions and include Ali Baba and Robin Crusoe. As Scrooge looks at
his former self, he reflects how poorly he treated the Christmas Caroler earlier that day.
One can see Scrooge makes a dramatic change early on in this story.
The Ghost takes Scrooge to another past. This past introduces the reader to Fan Scrooge's sister. The reader finds out that Fan died a young woman and had a boy
(Scrooge's nephew). The Ghost then takes Scrooge to Fezziwig, the person Scrooge apprenticed for. The
reader is introduced to another character who apprenticed with Scrooge - Dick Wilkins.
This scene is important because it shows Scrooge had people who enjoyed throwing
parties (and clearly Fezziwig and his wife really enjoy a lavish and fun party). Scrooge
reflects on how a little money and good intentions can make a lot of people happy. The last person the audience is introduced is Belle - Scrooge's ex-fiancé. The
reader finds out that Belle wanted Scrooge to work less, but Scrooge felt
money was more important than his love. In the end, they parted ways.