Dickens' subject in A Christmas Carol

Write a short account (no more than a paragraph) outlining the main elements of the story. Then say what you think to be the moral or philosophical purpose of the story (what Dickens is trying to say about man's duty to his fellow man).

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Comment on the narrative

Stave 1 | Stave 2 | Stave 3 | Stave 4 | Stave 5 | Conclusion Explain (very briefly) the important events of each chapter, commenting on anything you think interesting or important; you should refer to the presentation of character (especially how Scrooge changes), of relationships, of theme, and of any features of the storyteller's technique which you think interesting. Some suggestions are given below.

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Stave 1 - Marley's Ghost

What do we learn of Scrooge from his behaviour at the start of the story? Comment on anything he says which reveals his character. Why is Marley so miserable? What does Marley tell Scrooge is to happen to him, and why?

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Stave 2 - The First of the Three Spirits

The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his own past from boyhood to manhood. Comment on the glimpses the reader has of the younger Scrooge in each episode. Why might we be surprised by Scrooge's conduct before Mr. Fezziwig's ball? How is Scrooge changing over the years? How does the older Scrooge react to what he sees here?

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Stave 3 - The Second of the Three Spirits

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge how Christmas is celebrated both by people he knows and by various humble strangers in far away places. What does he learn by witnessing these poor people (the miners, the sailors and the lighthouse-keepers)? What does he see when he enters his nephew's house? How and why is Scrooge so deeply affected by his visit to the Cratchits. Comment on the Ghost's reply to Scrooge's question about whether Tiny Tim will live. Why does the Ghost quote Scrooge's earlier speech about decreasing the "surplus population"? What does the Ghost mean when he speaks about "the Insect on the Leaf"and "his hungry brothers in the dust"? What are the horrible creatures which Scrooge sees under the Spirit's robe? Why does the Spirit ask: "Are there no prisons...Are there no work-houses"?

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Stave 4 - The Last of the Spirits

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come does not speak, but shows Scrooge things which may happen in the future. Scrooge hopes they are things which may be, rather than things which will be. What does he see happening to himself, in the future? Comment on his failure, for most of this episode, to realize that the man whose death is foreseen here is himself. What does Scrooge see possibly happening to the Cratchits?

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Stave 5 - The End of It

How does Scrooge behave when he learns that it is still only Christmas Day? After the gloomy scenes in the previous chapter, what is the effect on the reader of Scrooge's conduct here? Comment on the (very pleasant) tricks Scrooge plays on the Cratchits. What do you think Scrooge whispers to the portly gentleman who had earlier visited his counting house? Why is it right that Tiny Tim should have the last word in the story?

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Conclusion

In conclusion, say what you think is the moral purpose of this tale (if anything). You may like to comment on the supernatural elements. Finally, give your personal response to A Christmas Carol.

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The Oxen - about the poem

This short poem refers to a superstition about Christmas, which the author recalls from his childhood. Thomas Hardy was one of the greatest novelists of the 19th century, but preferred to write poetry. In 1895, disappointed by the public reaction to his latest novel, Jude the Obscure, Hardy published one more short story, before deciding to live off the royalties of his books, while writing poetry for his own pleasure. As a child, Hardy lived in rural Dorset, and this poem has its origins in the simple beliefs of country people. In writing about it, you should try to consider both the content (what the poet has to say) and his method (how he says it). Note: barton is a West Country dialect word for a cow-shed (byre or shippen); coomb which often appears in place names is, like Welsh cwm, a word for a valley.

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The Oxen - outline of argument

Briefly introduce or outline the argument of the poem: what was the belief Hardy had, as a child, about what happens on Christmas Eve, and what is his attitude to it now?

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The Oxen - content

Why is the poem called The Oxen? What do cattle have to do with Christmas traditionally? When the poet was a child, what superstition did he have about the oxen (cattle) on Christmas Eve? Which people encouraged him to believe this? How firmly did he and his friends hold this belief? Does the poet still have this belief? Explain why, in spite of his doubts, the poet is still willing to see if the superstition could be true? Is this poem, in your view, simply about one particular belief, or is it about a more general loss of religious faith?

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The Oxen - the poet's method

Comment on the picture given in the first stanza of the children listening to the elder. Why are they seen as a "flock"? In what way did the children think of the cattle? Comment on the phrase "meek mild creatures". What is suggested by Hardy's claim that it did not occur to any of them to doubt? Comment on the use of speech and colloquialism to suggest authenticity? Comment on the poet's use of short lines and simple ABAB rhyme scheme. How does the poet show the connection between the past and the present? Explain the relationship between the penultimate and the final stanzas or between doubt and hope in the poem.

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The Oxen - conclusion

Do you like the poem or not? Why? Do you share the poet's attitudes or outlook in any way? Has your attitude to Christmas changed since your childhood?

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The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock         "Now they are all on their knees," An elder said as we sat in a flock         By the embers in hearthside ease. We pictured the meek mild creatures where         They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there         To doubt they were kneeling then. So fair a fancy few would weave         In these years! Yet, I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve,         "Come; see the oxen kneel "In the lonely barton by yonder coomb         Our childhood used to know," I should go with him in the gloom,         Hoping it might be so. Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

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Comparing texts - introducing the texts

Say briefly what kind of text each of these two works is, and what it has to do with the meaning of Christmas.

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Detailed comparison

In looking at the texts, try to discuss as many of the following things as possible: Time - past and present: Is time important in either of these texts? In what way? Look at the relation of past and present (and future, if relevant). In both midnight on Christmas Eve is the signal for something important. Say what this is in each case. Dialogue and conversation: What use does each writer make of speech? For each text try to comment on memorable or interesting conversation, remarks or speeches. Setting - the importance of place: In every text, the reader is told the location (or locations for A Christmas Carol). For each work, comment on the significance of the place where it is set - this will be different for all three texts. Images and symbolism: This is quite hard, but in every text, we are presented with striking and vivid images or word-pictures. In some cases (such as Ignorance and Want in A Christmas Carol) they obviously symbolise other things. Comment on any of the interesting or important images (including metaphors, similes and symbols) which you can find in any of these texts. The supernatural: All of the texts depict or suggest strange and supernatural events. Say what these are, and comment on what they contribute to the whole work - are they of central importance, or just one interesting feature among many? Do you enjoy them? Adults and children: How do the writers explore the different ways in which adults and children see things? Are adults shown as necessarily wiser than children? Moral or spiritual teaching: This is quite hard, but you are invited to judge whether these works are written to show or teach any particular moral or spiritual ideas. If so, try to say what these are and what you think of them. Optimism and pessimism: What is the balance each writer strikes between looking on the dark or the bright side of things? How optimistic or pessimistic is each?

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Making a personal judgement

In conclusion, write what you think each work has to say to the reader about Christmas. Give your judgement about how good each work is. Do you like them? Do you think they are worth reading? Give reasons for your opinion.

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Presenting your work

In writing this comparative study, make sure you support your comments with frequent reference to the text, or brief quotation (use inverted commas). You do not need to use sub-headings but must organize your essay in paragraphs. If you write by hand, do so neatly. If you use word-processing software, use a Times Roman font and justify or left align text (the Web version of this guide is unjustified and in a sans-serif font). A suggested (very general and open) title is: How do the authors of these works present the subject of Christmas? You may prefer to use a title of your own. If you wish to open a document file containing a template for writing about the texts, click here.

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© Andrew Moore, 2002; Contact me

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