Liliana Lulgjuraj

Mrs. Mainero
ALA 7
December 16, 2015

A Christmas Carol Comparison

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, is an old classical story. It is about a man named
Ebenezer Scrooge who is a very greedy man, who hates Christmas, and wants nothing to do with
it. He is then visited by his now spirit friend Marley. He gives Scrooge a warning about what is
to come, he will be visited by three spirits. The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas
Present, and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Now Scrooge is given one last chance to
change his life around, before its too late. A play was also made based on A Christmas Carol,
many components from the story was used to make the play come to life. There are many
similarities and differences between A Christmas Carol the book, and A Christmas Carol the
play.
A similarity between the two was the dialogue. The director used many quotes and
sayings from the book. An example of this was the conversation later on between the two
gentlemen, when they asked Scrooge for donations to give to the poor . What shall I put down
for you? Nothing! Scrooge replied. You wish to be anonymous? I wish to be left alone,
said Scrooge. Since you asked me what I wish, gentlemen that is my answer. I dont make
merry myself at Christmas, and I cant afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the
establishments I have mentioned- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there
(10). The director make a good choice to add this part in the play because it shows, how Scrooge

was before he changed. Scrooge was greedy, selfish, and it also showed the fact that he hated
Christmas. If the director did not add this, the audience would be confused on why Scrooge
needs to change his life around, by just adding this conversation the audience can already tell
what Scrooge is like. There are also many differences between the dialogue. An example of this
was when Scrooge saw his grave, and he was telling the spirit that he would change. I will
honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.. I will live in the Past, Present, and
the Future. The Spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they
teach (110). This part of the book was very important. It showed how Scrooge has changed,
after the three spirits visited him. Scrooge became generous, he wasnt mean or grumpy, and he
learned to love Christmas. This part of the story Scrooge had shown tremendous change.
There are many differences between the deleted scenes. An example of this was when
Scrooge opened up his bedroom door to find a room filled with food, decorations, and a throne
were the Ghost of Christmas Present sat on. Heaped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne,
were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking pigs, long wreaths of
sausage, mince pies, plum puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples,
juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch (57). It was
a good idea the director didn't add this part, for it would very difficult for the cast to put
everything in place without the audience seeing them do it. It would also be difficult to put it
back while another part of the play is going on. This part wasnt that important to be included in
the play because it is just describing where the Spirit of Christmas Present was. Another
difference between the deleted scenes was when the Ghost of Christmas Past was going through
a wall with Scrooge. As the words were spoken, they had passed through the wall and stood
upon an open country road, with fields on either hand. The city had entirely vanished (34). The

director once again made a wise choice by not adding this scene in the play. It is impossible to
make a human go through a solid wall. It would also be very difficult to change the
surroundings, like the city, and make the stage into a country road, with fields of either side of it.
There are many similarities between the special effects. An example of this was when
Marley was walking up the stairs to Scrooge's room. They were succeeded by a clanking
noise, deep down below; as if some person were dragging a heavy chain over the casks in the
wine merchants cellar (17). The director used many noises and effects to make the chain sound
come to life. The director made the chain sound by using a type of audio, if the director had not
it would be hard to do the chain sounds, it would be really quit. Also by making it from audio it
was louder so it added more enthusiasm to Marley walking up the stairs. It made it exciting for
the audience as well, wondering what will happen. There are also many differences between the
special effects. An example of this was when Scrooge was in his office telling his nephew to
leave. Once his nephew left you could hear carolers outside.Good afternoon, said Scrooge.
and a happy New Year! Good afternoon! said Scrooge. His nephew left the room without
an angry word, notwithstanding. He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the
season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge, for he returned them
cordially (8). This is not something the director should have done it that part of the play, it
made the scene cheerful when it wasn't. This was the part of the play when Scrooge and his
nephew were having an argument, the carolers didnt set the mood for the scene, which wasnt a
happy time but more of a sad time for the nephew, and and angry time for Scrooge .
In conclusion there are many similarities and differences between the dialogue, deleted
scenes, and special effects. These components made the play come to life in many different
ways.