Stave 3 Summary
Scrooge awakens in his bed, fully expecting the next messenger sent to him through Jacob Marley. He feels ready for anything and is thus quite shocked when the clock strikes one yet again and nothing happens at all. Scrooge shuffles to his door and hears his name, then proceeds.
He steps into a room similar to his own, yet decorated in greenery and filled with various foods. A glorious giant rests on a couch and bids Scrooge to enter and “know [him] better.” Scrooge does as instructed.
The giant introduces himself as the Ghost of Christmas Present. He wears a green robe, a wreath of holly, and no shoes.
Scrooge asks the ghost to teach him a lesson, if it is possible, and the spirit instructs him to touch his green robe. Scrooge does so and finds himself standing in the festive city streets on Christmas morning, where he begins to take in the people and events surrounding him. Scrooge notices that, occasionally, as poor revelers pass with their dinners, the Ghost of Christmas Present sprinkles “incense” on their dinners from his torch. And when people are caught in a disagreement, they too receive a sprinkling from the torch, which causes the bickering to stop immediately.
The Ghost of Christmas Present transports Scrooge to Bob Cratchit’s house and stops to sprinkle a blessing on his home. Scrooge finds this incredible, as Bob makes so little money yet has somehow gained the favor of this spirit.
The Cratchit family is dressed in poor garments but makes the best of the resources they have. Dinner is being prepared, and the family begins to worry about where Bob, Tiny Tim, and Martha are. Martha appears, much to the delight of her family, and they devise a plan to trick their father, who is following soon after her.
Bob appears with Tiny Tim on his shoulders, and Martha remains in a hiding place. When Bob asks about her location, the family tells him that she isn’t able to make it. Bob is visibly disappointed, and this pains Martha, who rushes from her hiding place as the room overflows in warm and tender exchanges.
Dinner is readied, and a feast commences. Bob is especially complimentary of his wife’s cooking talents, gushing over the goose and the pudding. Bob looks around at his family and warmly wishes them all a merry Christmas. Tiny Tim adds,
God bless us every one!
The boy touches something deep within Scrooge, who implores the spirit to tell him if the young child will live. The Ghost of Christmas Present replies that he sees an empty chair and a crutch without an owner if the future remains unaltered. Scrooge is crushed.
The scene shifts back to the Cratchit household, where Mrs. Cratchit has some stern words about Scrooge. After a bit of chastisement from her husband to remember the spirit of the day, she ultimately toasts a “long life” to Scrooge.
As he watches the scene thereafter, Scrooge notes that the family is not remarkable in any way. They wear plain clothes, are not beautiful people, and have poorly made shoes. Yet somehow they are happy. This, and particularly the joy of young Tiny Tim, confounds Scrooge.
Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present pass other scenes of Christmas, including the home of poor miners and a dark ship.
Suddenly, Scrooge finds himself at his nephew’s party. The group begins to discuss Scrooge, noting that he has plenty of money, but it does him no good. Scrooge’s nephew says that he feels sorry for his uncle and vows to continue to visit Scrooge year after year, if only in the hope that it may benefit Scrooge’s employees eventually.
A great party commences, filled with tea, dancing, and music. Scrooge’s nephew wishes his absent uncle a merry Christmas, and the spirit whisks Scrooge away once again.
The continue on their journey, passing sickbeds, foreign lands, and jails. The spirit stops to bless each person he visits.
The Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge that his time is coming to an end when Scrooge notes something protruding from the folds of the spirit’s green robe and inquires about what this may be. The spirit produces two children who are “wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable.” This boy and girl—Ignorance and Want—belong to humankind.
The clock strikes twelve, the Ghost of Christmas Present disappears, and a solemn phantom comes “like a mist” toward Scrooge.
Expert Q&A
What does the ghost mean by "if these shadows remain unaltered" in Stave 3 of A Christmas Carol?
The phrase "if these shadows remain unaltered" spoken by the Ghost of Christmas Present in Stave 3 of A Christmas Carol serves as a warning to Scrooge about the grim future of Tiny Tim. The "shadows" represent future events that have not yet occurred, and in this case, they symbolize the inevitable death of Tiny Tim if Scrooge does not intervene. The ghost uses this phrase to urge Scrooge to change his ways and alter the bleak future he has been shown.
Who is the Spirit quoting in Stave 3 of "A Christmas Carol," and why? What literary element is Dickens using?
"'Are there no prisons?' said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. 'Are there no workhouses?'"
In Stave 3 of "A Christmas Carol," the Ghost of Christmas Present quotes Scrooge's earlier statements about the poor, made in Stave 1. This is done to confront Scrooge with his own harsh words now that he's beginning to feel empathy for the less fortunate, such as the Cratchit family. Dickens utilizes irony in this situation, as Scrooge's past callousness starkly contrasts with his growing compassion, highlighting the transformation in his character.
What quotes describe Scrooge's transformation in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol?
Several quotations in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol make it clear that Scrooge is changing for the better. Instead of dismissing the second ghost, Scrooge speaks to it “reverently” and “submissively,” asking to learn from it. He also expresses concern for Tiny Tim and shows sadness over the boy’s apparent fate, feeling “penitence and grief” when he is reminded of what he said about poor people the day before.
What details are given about Fred's party in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol?
The details regarding Fred's party in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol convey an atmosphere of warmth and lively friendship. These details serve to show the contrast to Scrooge's dismal and lonely life.
In Stave 3 of A Christmas Carol, who does the second spirit refer to as his 1,800 brothers?
The Ghost of Christmas Present refers to his 1,800 brothers as the spirits of Christmas that have existed since the birth of Christ, symbolizing each past Christmas. This revelation emphasizes the continuity and enduring spirit of Christmas joy. Scrooge, initially interpreting this literally as a financial burden, begins to realize the deeper meaning of Christmas, prompting him to reflect on his life choices and the importance of making future Christmases meaningful.
Are there any puns in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol?
Yes, there is a pun in Stave 3 of A Christmas Carol. During Scrooge's visit to Bob Cratchit's home with the Ghost of Christmas Present, the narrator notes Bob earns "fifteen 'Bob' a-week." This pun plays on Bob's name and the term "bob," a slang for a shilling, indicating Bob earns fifteen shillings weekly. This wordplay humorously highlights Bob's modest income while the spirit blesses his home.
Why do the youngest Cratchits put spoons in their mouths after setting the table in A Christmas Carol Stave 3?
The youngest Cratchits put spoons in their mouths to control their excitement and prevent themselves from shrieking before being served. This act of self-restraint is necessary because the Christmas dinner is a rare and special feast for the impoverished family, and they want to avoid being admonished or sent away from the table for bad manners. Their behavior reflects both their excitement and respect for the occasion.
In Stave 3 of A Christmas Carol, how does the Ghost of Christmas Present compare Scrooge's life to Tiny Tim's?
The Ghost of Christmas Present compares Scrooge to Tiny Tim by suggesting that in Heaven's eyes, Scrooge may be less worthy and fit to live than Tiny Tim. Despite Tiny Tim's physical challenges, he remains cheerful and generous, contrasting with Scrooge's disdain for the poor and lack of compassion. The Ghost implies that Tim's loving nature makes him more deserving of life than Scrooge's cold-heartedness.
How does Scrooge react to the Cratchits' family life in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol?
In Stave 3, Scrooge is deeply moved by the Cratchit family's life, particularly concerned about Tiny Tim's fate. He asks the Spirit if Tiny Tim will survive, showing an unprecedented level of care. When told Tiny Tim might die, Scrooge is saddened and pleads for his life. The Spirit reminds Scrooge of his past callous remarks about the poor, leaving Scrooge penitent and grief-stricken. He departs with a longing gaze at the Cratchits, especially Tiny Tim.
What change does Scrooge notice in the Ghost of Christmas Present in Stave 3 of A Christmas Carol?
In Stave 3, Scrooge notices that the Ghost of Christmas Present ages throughout the day, reflecting the transient nature of the present. Initially youthful and vibrant, the spirit gradually appears older, with gray hair by the end of the night. This change symbolizes the fleeting nature of time. The ghost's life lasts only for one day, representing each Christmas. The spirit's transformation highlights the urgency of embracing the present before it passes.
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