A Christmas Carol

Fiction | Novella | Middle Grade | Published in 1843

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Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Multiple Choice

1. B (Chapter 1)

2. B (Chapter 1)

3. A (Chapter 1)

4. C (Chapter 2)

5. A (Chapter 2)

6. C (Chapter 3)

7. A (Chapter 3)

8. B (Chapter 4)

9. A (Chapter 4)

10. D (Chapter 5)

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Long Answer

1. In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens harnesses the power of memory to bring the protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge to an epiphany about his selfishness. The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a journey through his past, through both joyful and painful memories, to remind him of what it means to be a human. By the end of the first spirit’s visitation, Scrooge is painfully aware of the mistakes he made in his past and longs to change his future so that new memories will not be so painful. (Various chapters)

2. Charles Dickens capitalizes on the Victorian’s obsession with death and the afterlife by using the motif of ghosts in his story to lead the protagonist on a journey of personal rebirth and redemption. Dickens did not invent the concept of a spiritual journey guided by an otherworldly being; however, his usage of ghosts as Scrooge’s guide, particularly ghosts in different forms, holds a symbolic meaning.