A Christmas Carol - Page 2


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A Christmas Carol

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://scope.scholastic.com/sites/default/files/SCO-120117-ChristmasCarol.pdf - SCOPE - Christmas Carol

 

http://heniss.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/130867077/Christmas%20Carol%20Play.pdf - A Christmas Carol - SCOPE

 

 

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/dickens/ - Charles Dickens

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unKuZ2wlNdw - Life of Charles Dickens - BBC

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsVzpAN2jhY - 7 Facts about Charles Dickens

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS6iOxrOE8Y - The Man Who Invented Christmas Trailer

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMoGmlr0Gc - Charles Dickens - 30 min.

 

 

 

http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/Dickens.html - Dickens Information

 

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson140/character.pdf - Character - Use examples from the story to support your assertions

 

http://www.dixiepac.net/events_tickets/school_files/2011_12/christmas_carol_educator_guide.pdf - TE Guide

 

 

 http://www.speakaboos.com/story/a-christmas-carol - Speakaboos - A Christmas Carol

 

http://www.dan-dare.org/FreeFun/Games/CMTVMore/AChristmasCarol2/AChristmasCarol2.htm - Christmas Carol Game (Disney version)

 

Indirect Characterization/Direct Characterization in A Christmas Carol

 

Direct characterization is when the narrator tells the reader something about a character.

 Indirect characterization is when the narrator shows the reader something about the character through the character’s actions, things the character says, or things other characters say.

 

An example of direct characterization is when the narrator specifically tells us what a character is like. Consider this example of direct characterization from A Christmas Carol, in which the narrator describes Ebenezer Scrooge.

Oh, …. Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster (Stave 1)

In this case, the narrator is describing Scrooge colorfully, but still just describing what he is like: mean and miserly. Compare that to this later example of indirect characterization.

 

Two men come to visit Scrooge collecting money for the poor. Scrooge asks why the poor do not just go to the workhouses.

“Many can't go there; and many would rather die.”

“If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. …”(Stave 1)

Scrooge demonstrates here that he does not care about people. He prefers that the poor die, rather than giving money to help them. This is an example of how Scrooge is mean and miserly, but it is an indirect characterization. Rather than tell us Scrooge is miserly, we see Scrooge being miserly (and mean).

A story or novel should really have more indirect characterization than direct characterization, because it is more interesting, involves the reader, and moves the plot along.

 

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=view&book=30370&page=1 - Christmas Carol - Book Builder

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=view&book=30370&page=2 - Book Builder Christmas Carol - Interactive Questions

 

 

 

Literary Elements

 

Characters:

1. For the characters of Scrooge & Bob Cratchit, & one character of your choice: (1) decide whether the character is major or minor; (2) briefly describe the character, including his or her appearance, personality, & background; (3) decide whether the character is static or dynamic & explain why.

 

2. How many ghosts are in the play? Describe what each ghost tells or shows Scrooge.

3. Give 2 examples of indirect characterization of Scrooge.

 

Setting

 

4. Where and during what time period does the play take place?

5. Describe what life was like for poor people at that time and place. Use information from "How Charles Dickens Changed the World."

6. At what time of year does the story take place?

What emotions, attitudes, or moods are often associated with this time of year?

At the beginning of the play, which character or characters embody or express such attitudes? Which character or characters do not? Explain.

 

Imagery

 

7. Give one example of imagery in the play. State which sense it appeals to and what you think the author was trying to communicate or accomplish through it.

 

Tone & Mood

 

8. List at least 2 adjectives that describes the tone of the play.

Now explain how the author established that tone. Which words and details tell you how the author feels about the characters and the subject matter?

 

9. What is the mood of the play? Does it stay the same throughout the play, or does it change? Explain.

Now explain how the author established the mood. Which imagery, words, ideas, and aspects of the setting or plot caused you to feel the way you did?

 

Plot

 

10. Summarize Scrooge's travels back and forth through time over the course of the play.

11. What role do supernatural elements play in Scrooge's transformation? (Supernatural means relating to existence beyond the visible, observable universe, or being outside the laws of nature.)

12. What is the main conflict in the play? How does the protagonist overcome this struggle?

13. What the climax of the play? How do you know?

14. What is the resolution of the play?

 

 

Study Guide 

 

 

1. What are some of the qualities/character traits of a scrooge?

2. What does Scrooge learn from the Ghost of Christmas Past?

3. Why does Scrooge send the Cratchits a turkey anonymously?

4. Considering Dickens's childhood, toward which character would he likely be MOST sympathetic?

5. Consider Scrooge's line from Scene 3: "Why, there's old Mr. Fezziwig. He was a decent man."  As used in that sentence, the word decent means what?

6. The mood of Scene 5 can be best described as: (Ghost 3 appears)

7. How can we BEST describe Scrooge's transformation?

8. What is the central theme of the play?

9. What obstacles does Scrooge have to overcome during the course of the play?  Are they internal or external? Use details from the play in your answer.

10. How do you think Charles Dickens's life experiences influenced his stories? Use details from both the play and the author profile to support your answer.

 

 

Christmas Carol Quizzes

 

http://www.shmoop.com/christmas-carol/quotes-quiz.html - Quotes

 

http://www.shmoop.com/christmas-carol/themes-quiz.html - Themes

 

http://www.shmoop.com/christmas-carol/symbols-quiz.html - Symbols

 

http://www.shmoop.com/christmas-carol/characters-quiz.html - Oddballs

 

http://www.shmoop.com/christmas-carol/plot-quiz.html - Plot

 

http://www.shmoop.com/christmas-carol/flashcards.html - Flashcards

 

 

https://www.brownielocks.com/christmascaroltrivia.html - Christmas Carol Game

 

https://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/games/christmas-carol-quiz/ - Quiz on The Christmas Carol

 

http://blog.helblingreaders.com/an-interactive-christmas-lesson-with-charles-dickens-a-christmas-carol-special/ - A Christmas Carol Quiz

 

https://gridclub.com/activities/a-christmas-carol - A Christmas Carol Game

 

 

Characterization for a Christmas Carol - http://mrshatzi.com/files/resptolitACC.pdf