Important Exam Information
- Paper 1 Section B
- Extract question
-No choice of question
-45 minutes
GCSE Knowledge Organiser
(
)
Characters (AO1)
Ebenezer
Scrooge
Miserable and cold-hearted owner of a London
counting-house.
He is redeemed by the end of the novella
**Irony of his name referring to the “stone of help”**
Jacob Marley
(Ghost)
When alive, Scrooge’s equally greedy partner. Died 7
years before story. Returns as a ghost to warn Scrooge.
Marley hopes to save his old partner from a similar fate.
Bob Cratchit
Scrooge’s clerk, a kind, mild but poor man with a large
family. Treated harshly by Scrooge but remains humble
and dedicated employee.
**Irony of his name meaning “money” and “hearty
eater”**
Fred
Scrooge’s nephew- genial man who loves Christmas.
Invites Scrooge to every annual Christmas party, every
year Scrooge refuses to go.
Fezziwig
Jolly- Scrooge’s boss when Scrooge was an apprentice.
Renowned for his wonderful Christmas parties.
*A foil character to Scrooge*
Ghost of
Christmas
Past
First spirit to visit Scrooge. Child-like with a glowing
head. Shows Scrooge Christmas of past.
Ghost of
Christmas
Present
Second spirit to visit Scrooge, a giant in a green robe.
Lifespan is restricted to Christmas day and shows
Scrooge the present Christmas celebrations.
The Ghost of
Christmas Yet
to Come
Third spirit to visit Scrooge, a silent phantom in a
hooded black robe. Shows Scrooge his lonely death.
Themes (AO1)
Social
Responsibility
Christmas
Spirit
Redemption
Family
Time
Education
Poverty
Key Quotations (AO1)
Stave
One
‘As solitary as an oyster” “as hard and sharp as flint” – about Scrooge
‘His face was ruddy and handsome, his eyes sparkled’ – Fred (presented as the opposite to Scrooge)
‘I wear the chain I forged in life’ –Ghost of Marley
Stave
Two
‘It wore a tunic of the purest white… from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light’ – Ghost of Christmas Past
‘A lonely boy was sat reading near a feeble fire’ – Scrooge as a young boy
‘”Your lip is trembling,’ said the Ghost, ‘And what is that upon your cheek?’ – first sign of emotion from Scrooge
Stave
Three
‘There sat a jolly Giant, who wore a glowing torch…it was clothed in one simple green robe’ – Ghost of Christmas Present
‘God bless us everyone!’ – Tiny Tim’s positive attitude
‘Tell me Tiny Tim will live…’ – Scrooge showing compassion.
Stave
Four
‘The phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached’ – Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
‘I fear you more than any spectre I have seen’ – Scrooge
‘Tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!’ – Scrooge desperate to change his ways **Ebenezer Stone**
‘I will honour Christmas in my heart’ - Scrooge
Stave
Five
‘I’ll raise your salary Bob and endeavour to assist your struggling family’ – Scrooge changing his ways.
‘to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he [Scrooge] was a second father’ – Scrooge changing his ways
‘Light as a feather, happy as an angel…’ – similes used to contrast those from the beginning show Scrooge’s change
Sentence Starters
Context (AO3)
Point
(AO1)
Use the words from the question
and include a method
(terminology) used by the
writer.
Malthusian Theory
The idea that population growth exponential while the
growth of the food supply or other resources is linear. In
other words, resources would run out. He believed that
population should be controlled to match supplies.
Evidence
(AO1)
For example/ This is seen when
‘…’
Disabled Children
Many of Dickens children died. This is reflective of Tiny
Tim. Additionally, many children and disabled children in
this era and were very judged and looked down upon.
Analysis
(AO2)
This word/method ‘…’
implies/suggests…
It makes us
realise/think/feel/imagine…
Furthermore, the word ‘…’ is
crucial because…
The Class Divide/
Marxism
The novella is a criticism of the Victorian Era’s class system
and how the upper and middle classes treated the lower,
with Scrooge representing the higher classes (bourgeoisie)
and the Cratchits the lower (proletariat). There was a huge
divide between the rich and the poor as well as a
significant difference of how they were treated.
Link (AO3)
This could represent/symbolise
the … in society/it may
represent Dickens view that…
Dickens’ Childhood
His dad got into debt and sent to debtors’ prison. Dickens
mother and 7 children moved into prison with Charles
living alone and working with child labourers
Challenge Questions
How did Dickens use characters and language to convey his opinions on social inequalities?
How has the theme of Family been presented throughout the novella?
How has Dickens used the characters of Fezziwig and Fred in the novella?
Allegory