1. Each of Dickens's initial three Christmas books (A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and The Cricket on the Hearth) features characters whose belief in humanity is revived through the intervention of spirits. A Christmas Carol is generally regarded as the finest of the trio. Compare it to one of the other stories.

2. Dickens mentions that while writing A Christmas Carol, he was so exhilarated that he would wander the streets of London at night for hours. How does this enthusiasm manifest in the story? Does it enhance the tale, which blends satire with moral lessons, or would a more detached approach have been preferable?

3. The allegorical figures shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present, Ignorance and Want, appear as children. Their effect on Scrooge, who is already deeply concerned about Tiny Tim, is profound. Examine the role of children in Dickens's critique of nineteenth-century England. What personal experiences kept children at the forefront of his thoughts?

4. Characterize the narrator’s role in this story. What kind of connection does this storyteller try to establish with the reader? Is he effective in doing so?

5. Explore the themes of redemption and resurrection as they are presented in A Christmas Carol.