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STAVE 1

Vocabulary
assign: a person to whom the property or interest of another is transferred
Bedlam: a popular name for the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, which served as a
lunatic asylum
bestow: to give
brazier: a metal receptacle for holding live coals or other fuel
covetous: greedy
cravat: a necktie
credentials: evidence of authority
dismal: gloomy
entreaty: an earnest request
fain: eager
flint: a small piece of metal used to produce a spark
gait: a manner of walking
garret: a small attic
gladsome: delightful
hob: a shelf around a fireplace used to keep food warm
humbug: nonsense
intimation: a hint
ironmongery: hardware
lumber room: a storage room
morose: moody
palpable: capable of being touched or felt

pelt: variant to hurry


pelting: an unrelenting beating, as of rain or wind
portly: heavy, fat
provision: something provided
ramparts: broad elevations of earth raised as fortifications around a site
replenish: to supply with fresh fuel
residuary legatee: one designated to receive the residue of an estate
rime: a coating of tiny, white granules of ice
ruddy: reddish
stave: a verse or stanza of a poem or song
trifle: a very small sum of money
unhallowed: not regarded as holy or sacred
veneration: a feeling of awe or reverence
withal: as well
workhouses: poorhouses in which paupers were given work
Study Questions
1. Why is the novella broken down into staves instead of chapters?
2. What comparison is made between Scrooge and rough weather? How are they contrasted?
3. Describe the setting of the first scene in the novella. What day is it? What mood does Dickens
convey?
4. What are the first words Scrooge utters in the book?
5. Compare the description of Scrooge with that of his nephew.
6. What does Scrooges nephew enjoy about Christmas?
7. On what day of the year did Marley die? Why is the particular day he died noteworthy?

8. What reasons does Scrooge give for refusing to give to charity?


9. How does Scrooge feel about poor people?
10. When he is asked for a charitable donation, Scrooge asks the gentleman requesting it if the
Treadmill and Poor Laws are still in effect. Given the context, what can you deduce about these
laws?
11. Why doesnt Scrooge think its fair to give his clerk the day off on Christmas?
12. What sort of man is Scrooges clerk, and how do you know?
13. Who lived in Scrooges home previously?
14. The narrator imagines that Scrooges home is in such an odd location because it hid there
while playing at hide-and-seek with other houses, and couldnt find its way out. This is an
example of what literary device? Why?
15. How does Dickens set the scene for the arrival of Marleys ghost? What is the atmosphere in
Scrooges home? What aberrations does Scrooge notice?
16. Why does the Ghost of Marley visit Scrooge?
17. What finally causes Scrooge to seem frightened?
18. How does Marley spend his days?
19. What does Marley say should have been his business?

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