A Christmas A Christmas CarolCarol

by Charles Dickensby Charles Dickens

Elements of DramaElements of Drama1. stage directions – instructions for the director, actors, and

stage crew2. drama – a story that is intended to be performed before

an audience3. climax- the moment of highest tension and excitement in

the plot of a drama4. dialogue – a conversation between characters in a drama5. script – the form in which a drama is written, including

character’s lines6. foil – a character who provides a sharp contrast to the

qualities of the main character7. props – the objects the actors use during the play (cup,

chair, book) 8. scenes & acts – divisions in a drama (similar to chapters in

a novel)

Stage Directions

Setting- The time and place of a storyExample: It was December 24th, 1824, on a snowy

Christmas eve in Victorian London. Personification- Giving human characteristics

to non-human thingsExample: The knife and fork looked on happily as

father began to carve the turkey. Foreshadowing- Hinting at things to comeExample: Scrooge wished he could rid himself of the

sick feeling in his gut that told him something terrible was going to happen.

A Quick Review

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Overview-- Ebenezer Scrooge, a tight-fisted and

bitter man, is visited by three spirits to bring about his redemption before his

death. He learns to love his fellow man after being

shown the love and generosity that symbolizes

Christmas.

Introduction by Introduction by Charles DickensCharles Dickens

foreshadowiforeshadowing…....ng…....

Charles DickensCharles DickensCharles Dickens (1812-1870), English Victorian era author wrote numerous highly acclaimed novels.

•Dickens‘ writing style is flowing and poetic, with a strong comic touch.

• Many people thought of Dickens as an advocate for the poor, at a time when there was little sympathy towards those in

poverty.

• Dickens other works include: Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, Bleak House, Nicholas Nickleby, The Pickwick Papers

A Christmas Carol It’s hard to imagine a Christmas

season without the story of old Scrooge, Bah Humbug! and

“God bless us, every one.” At the time this story was written (1843), the generous spirit of

Christmas charity didn’t exist in England. Many people did not believe in generosity to the poor. Instead, they believed the poor somehow brought poverty upon themselves.

* * * * * *

A Christmas Carol In a clever play on words,

Dickens divides the book into 5 “staves” instead of

chapters. Staves is a musical term, in keeping

with the title, A Christmas Carol– which,

of course, is a song.

How the Grinch Stole How the Grinch Stole Christmas Christmas by Dr. Seussby Dr. Seuss

The character of the Grinch is based on the protagonist

of “A Christmas Carol” – Scrooge. As we read the drama, note similarities in the two main characters and the plot of both the

book and the play.

Protagonist & Antagonist

“A Christmas Carol” is unusual because Scrooge, the Protagonist (usually the good guy), is a very BAD guy. The antagonist (usually the bad guy) is the good guy. Remember that the antagonist is the person who causes the conflict for the protagonist. They are not always good guysor bad guys.

Angel in Manhattan by Paul Ellis

Tell the man who repairs the wings for angels That one has fallen among the mortals on Bleeker Street

I lent a hand, she looked up at the steeples As if to blame them for the pavement beneath her feet She said, "I never much liked flying, but the job requires trying The hard part's avoiding buildings and concrete"

Spread the news, 'cause there's an angel in Manhattan Call out the paparazzi and the television crews Let the people choose Would a little Faith come to harm them? Print the headlines up in the New York Daily News It was just another day Like any other, other day

A Tuesday afternoon I hailed a cab, a crowd gathered as it pulled beside us And somebody tore at her wings, but I helped her safely inside "I'm much obliged," she said, but the driver he looked shaken He said, "You're fakin', lady, who's taking who for a ride" But then we floated up over the traffic, she turned the radio to static, And she sang to him in Billy Holiday's sweet voice Spread the news 'cause there's an angel in Manhattan

Call out the paparazzi and the television crews

Hey if you choose would a little faith come to harm youPrint the headlines up in the New York Daily NewsIt was just another day what would the mayor say“Good afternoon Oh good afternoon" 

We flew down the length of Fifth AvenueShe threw out miracles it was a hysterical rideAnd if the crowd on the sidewalk looked skepticalShe took the blue right out of their cynical eye"It's all what you feel inside" 

She shook the mayor's hand and he declared that he'd hold a press conferenceThe fans and protestors blocked the stairs to city hall"I'd like to thank you all" he said and when she stepped before the camerasMan it felt like a trial but she smiled as the questions were calledWhat do you say to detractors who claim you're just some actor“She said "the question here is do I believe in you“It was just another day like any other other day

VocabularyVocabulary1. solitude – the state of being alone 2. charitable – generous in giving

3. incoherent – Unable to think or express one's thoughts

in a clear or orderly manner 4. finale – at the end, the concluding part5. odious – causing or deserving strong dislike6. currency - money7. welfare – a supplying of needs8. emerge – to come into sight9. provision - a supplies of food or other basic needs10.summon – to call for with authority or urgency

Match the vocabulary words to the pictures

Vocabulary (cont.)11. mortal – human, of the earth12. surplus – extra, more than is needed13. abundance - great amount or supply14. macabre – suggesting the horror of death and

decay15. endeavor - to try16. transform – to change the form or appearance of17. pledge - word of honor, oath18. reassurance – a restoring of confidence19. anonymous – not having one’s name known20. destitute – lacking the necessities of life

Match the vocabulary words to the pictures

Stave 1 - opening

A Christmas Carol Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s

partner has been dead, 7 years to the day that our story begins.

The first scene unfolds in the cold, cheerless office of Scrooge’s counting house.

A Christmas Carol As his faithful clerk Bob

Cratchit toils, Scrooge is visited by his nephew and invited to Christmas dinner the next day. Scrooge declares that those who celebrate Christmas should be boiled in their own pudding and dismisses him.

Two men who come seeking donations for the poor are dismissed with Scrooge’s wish that the poor would die and “decrease the surplus population.”

A Christmas Carol

Jacob Marley’s visit is dismissed as “more gravy than grave” by Scrooge, but it ends up setting the stage for the three ghosts. Which ghost’s message most resembles that of Jacob Marley’s?

A Christmas Carol Pay careful attention to the three

ghosts. Each message has a specific effect on Scrooge.

What does the ghost of Christmas past remind Scrooge of?

Whose generous heart touches Scrooge in the present?

What does Scrooge’s future hold if he continues to be greedy and self-absorbed?

Personification Dickens portrays Ignorance and Want

as two frail, ghastly children. Do you think the main causes of

poverty are ignorance and want? Explain why or why not.

A Christmas Carol Please summarize the story, in three

or four paragraphs, paying careful attention to:

S—Setting (where and when the story takes place) P—People (describe the main characters) A—Action (summarize the plot) C—Climax (the most dramatic part of the story) E-- Ending

Movie Posters

Richard Williams Animated Version

of A Christmas Carol

Cartoon VersionsCartoon Versions

Flintstones, Mickey Mouse, Ghostbusters,

Family Guy, Bugs Bunny, Jetsons, Muppets

A Christmas CarolA Christmas CarolThe Ultra Condensed The Ultra Condensed

VersionVersionEbenezer Scrooge

Bah, humbug. You'll work thirty-eight hours on Christmas Day, keep the heat at five degrees, and like it.

Ghost of Jacob Marley

Ebenezer Scrooge, three ghosts of Christmas will come and tell you you're mean.

Three Ghosts of Christmas You're mean.

Ebenezer Scrooge At last, I have seen the light. Let's dance in the streets. Have some

money.

THE END