Stave 1 Summary
Ebenezer Scrooge is a grumpy old broker and banker, and he detests the holiday season. At the beginning of stave 1, we meet him as he works at a counting house named Scrooge and Marley—even though Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s partner, passed away seven years before. Scrooge is so stingy that he only allows his clerk, Bob Cratchit, to burn a single piece of coal to stay warm during December’s cold. He is also grumpy about having to allow Bob to take Christmas Day off with pay.
Fred, Scrooge’s young and optimistic nephew, stops by his uncle’s office to see Scrooge and wish him a Merry Christmas. Scrooge famously responds, “Bah, humbug!” Fred wonders why his uncle does not appreciate the Christmas season. Ever grouchy, Scrooge reminds his nephew that he is poor, so he really has nothing to celebrate. Fred explains that he appreciates the Christmas season because people are warm, open, and giving; he does not need wealth or materialistic possessions. He even invites Scrooge to Christmas dinner with his family. Scrooge grumbles at the invitation.
After Fred leaves, two men enter the counting house and ask Scrooge for a donation to the less fortunate, citing the holiday season as the perfect time to give to the needy. Scrooge refuses and shoos them out of his office. To add to his annoyance, a caroler stops by and tries to sing a Christmas song through his keyhole. Scrooge is so infuriated he grabs a ruler and scares the singer away.
When it is finally time to close for the night, Scrooge reluctantly sends Bob home. Bob goes on his way, cheerfully playing with children as he walks down the foggy street. Scrooge, exhibiting some semblance of happiness, is relieved to finally be able to return to his dark, empty house and escape the holiday cheer outside.
As Scrooge approaches his front door, he is startled as—for a moment—he believes he sees his old partner Marley's face in the door knocker. Since Marley has been dead for years, Scrooge knows this cannot be, but he carefully checks his house for anything mysterious regardless. He grumbles when he finds nothing out of place in any of its rooms and tries to ignore the ghostly feeling from the event.
Scrooge settles down in his bedroom to warm up by his fire, helping himself to some gruel. Suddenly, a bell begins to swing on its own, and then it begins to ring. Soon, it is followed by all the other bells in Scrooge's house. Scrooge then hears a strange rattling sound coming from his cellar. Frozen in fear, Scrooge suspects that the noise is a ghost rattling their chains.
Just then, Marley’s ghost sweeps through his double-locked bedroom door. Scrooge is absolutely terrified but tries to remain calm in the face of the apparition of his old partner. Marley slowly begins to remove the bandage that binds his jaw and speaks.
Marley shows Scrooge the chain wrapped around his waist. Oddly, it is covered in tools from their industry, like deeds, padlocks, and purses. Marley warns Scrooge that he was chained to his work while he should have been caring for others, not the relentless pursuit of materialistic possessions. Marley tells Scrooge that he should spend his time on acts of charity and kindness.
As Marley is about to leave, he gives Scrooge a final warning. While there is still hope for him, he will be visited by three ghosts. Marley’s ghost flies out through the window, and Scrooge spots the other ghosts outside, ready to enter. Each one wears their own chain. After the encounter, Scrooge manages to fall asleep.
Expert Q&A
Why does Marley's jaw drop when the bandage is removed in Stave 1?
In Stave 1, Marley's jaw drops when the bandage is removed to convince Scrooge of his reality and terrify him, as Scrooge had been dismissing him as a figment of his imagination. Marley's appearance as a corpse, with his jaw dropping due to the loss of muscle integrity post-death, is intended to shock Scrooge into believing in him. This horrifying spectacle is crucial for the effectiveness of the ghost's message for Scrooge's salvation.
In Stave 1 of A Christmas Carol, who does Marley's ghost tell Scrooge to expect next?
In Stave 1, Marley's ghost warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits, although he does not name them or specify their purpose. Marley advises Scrooge that these visits offer him a chance to avoid Marley's own grim fate. He specifies the timing of the visits: the first spirit at one o'clock the next night, the second the following night at the same hour, and the third on the third night after midnight.
Where is imagery found in stave 1 of A Christmas Carol?
Imagery in Stave 1 of A Christmas Carol vividly depicts the setting around Scrooge's countinghouse, reflecting his cold personality. Dickens describes the "cold, bleak, biting weather" and "dark, foggy atmosphere," appealing to visual and auditory senses with depictions of people stamping their feet and wheezing in the cold. The imagery of phantoms surrounding Jacob Marley, with their heavy chains and moans, enhances the eerie, oppressive mood, highlighting Scrooge's isolation.
What's ironic about Scrooge's conversation with the ghost in Stave 1 of A Christmas Carol?
The irony in Scrooge's conversation with the ghost in Stave 1 lies in his initial disbelief and dismissive attitude. Instead of showing fear, he attributes the ghost's presence to indigestion, saying, "There's more of gravy than of grave about you." This is ironic because one would expect fear rather than denial in such a situation. Additionally, Scrooge's argumentative nature ultimately contributes to his personal growth, contrary to expectations.
How does Dickens present responsibility in stave 1 and throughout A Christmas Carol?
In the first stave of A Christmas Carol, Dickens portrays Scrooge as embodying a lack of responsibility, particularly towards the poor, whom he dismisses as burdens. He believes he fulfills his duty through taxes supporting institutions like workhouses. Throughout the story, various characters like the Cratchits and Fezziwig exemplify social and familial responsibility. Scrooge's transformation involves embracing responsibility for others, leading to personal fulfillment and community connection.
List three elements from Stave 1 that indicate the setting is England, 1843.
Stave 1 of A Christmas Carol indicates its setting as England in 1843 through several elements: the use of English money like "half-crowns" and references to places such as Camden Town; the mention of Union workhouses established by the Poor Law of 1834; and the presence of societal structures reflecting industrialization and capitalism, such as wealth disparities between characters like Scrooge and Cratchit, highlighting the economic conditions of Victorian England.
How does Bob Cratchit's brief appearance in Stave 1 of A Christmas Carol contrast with Scrooge?
In Stave 1, Bob Cratchit's brief appearance highlights the stark contrast between him and Scrooge. While Scrooge is indifferent and incensed by Christmas cheer, Cratchit is cheerful and supportive, applauding Scrooge's nephew's speech. Economically, Cratchit lacks even a coat for warmth, unlike Scrooge, who is well-dressed. Despite his poverty, Cratchit heads home merrily, whereas Scrooge dines alone and returns to his large, ornate house, underscoring their differing outlooks and circumstances.
In "A Christmas Carol's" Stave 1, what do Scrooge and Fred's differing Christmas views reveal about their values?
In Stave 1, Scrooge and Fred's differing views on Christmas reveal contrasting values. Scrooge prioritizes wealth, seeing no joy in Christmas without financial gain, reflecting his belief that happiness depends on money. Conversely, Fred values intangible qualities like kindness, forgiveness, and fellowship, viewing Christmas as a time for human connection and joy. This contrast highlights Fred's appreciation for relationships and human warmth, while Scrooge is fixated solely on monetary wealth.
What does "the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade" mean in Stave 1 of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"?
"I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade"
The phrase "the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade" in Stave 1 of "A Christmas Carol" highlights Dickens' use of irony and symbolism. It refers to coffin nails, symbolizing death and finality. By calling them the "deadest," Dickens underscores their role in sealing coffins and suggests a deeper moral and spiritual deadness. This phrase also reflects Marley's regret and serves as a warning to Scrooge about the consequences of a life devoid of compassion and redemption.
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