ri s tma s Carol

A Ch

Below is a scene from the beginning of Charles Dickens’s famous

novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’, which is set during the Victorian era. This
scene takes place late at night on Christmas Eve. The main character,
Ebenezer Scrooge, has just dressed for bed in his dressing gown and
slippers. He is an unpleasant, friendless man and he hates Christmas.

Cast
Ebenezer Scrooge: A miser, moneylender and businessman.

Jacob Marley: A ghost, formerly Scrooge’s business partner.

Act I Scene 4
(Scrooge’s grand bedroom. He is all alone, sitting in a high-backed armchair and facing
a marble fireplace. Opposite him is another, empty armchair. Suddenly, every bell within
his house starts ringing at once for about 30 seconds and then they all stop. The strange,
sudden silence makes Scrooge stand up and look about.)

Scrooge: (annoyed) Rubbish! Marley: (raises his chains strenuously) I

want a lot from you Scrooge.
(He turns back to the fire and sits down.
Scrooge: Who are you?
As he sits, a slow and steady clanking
sound begins offstage — getting louder Marley: Ask me who I used to be.
over time. It sounds as if someone is
Scrooge: (impatiently) Alright. Who
walking slowly up a flight of stairs, were you then?
dragging something extremely heavy
behind them.) Marley: I was Jacob Marley. I’ve been gone
seven years now.
Scrooge: (slouches down into his chair) It’s
humbug still; I’m not really hearing it! Scrooge: Humbug! I don’t believe it. You are
a bad case of indigestion: some hallucination
(Slowly, Marley's ghost enters onstage brought on by too much cheese or some other
dressed in: a waistcoat, breeches and rich, saucy food. What I do believe is that
boots. Tied around his waist is a heavy, you are more gravy than grave!
metal chain, with old, rusted cash
(Marley opens his mouth and screams:
boxes, ancient keys and iron padlocks eerily, like a strong wind forcing itself
attached to it.) through a small window. He angrily shakes
Scrooge: (stands and stamps his foot his chains at Scrooge, causing him to fall
indignantly) What do you want? back against his chair, shaking with fear.)

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 A Christmas Carol

Scrooge: Mercy! Why are you bothering me, Scrooge: My chains? You mean I’m going to
you wretched spirit? have my own horrendous chains too? Oh,
(Marley stops and sits down wearily in the help me, Jacob. Show me mercy. (Falls to
armchair opposite Scrooge.) his knees in front of Marley.)

Marley: Do you believe me now? I am Marley: There is a chance for you yet,
the mournful ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge, if you irreversibly change your
your friend. wicked ways. Tonight, you will be visited
Scrooge: (nods fervently) Yes, I do. But, by three different apparitions.
Jacob, why are you here, visiting me on
Scrooge: I don’t think I’d like to see
Christmas Eve?
anymore ghosts, Jacob. Isn’t there some
Marley: If a man does not explore the world other way?
in his lifetime, he is expected to do it later,
once his life is done. I walk to lands far Marley: (raises his voice anxiously)
and wide, continuously carrying this heavy Hear me Scrooge! Without their visits,
chain behind me. you have no hope whatsoever. Expect the
(Marley moans and rattles his chains first spirit when the clock strikes one.
violently again.) Goodbye, Scrooge. Remember what we have
spoken about.
Scrooge: (wrings his hands) Why, Marley?
Why do you have to wear such a horrible, (Marley walks slowly backwards and
hefty burden? exits offstage, his chains trailing noisily
Marley: Tell me, Scrooge. Did we ever travel behind him.
anywhere or visit a place other than our
Scrooge: (waves) Goodbye, Jacob.
precious counting house? No! Nor were we
kind and generous to our fellow men and
women of this world. I forged this abysmal
load every time I refused to show a shred
of charity or forgiveness to one of our poor
clients. We evicted people from their homes
when they couldn’t pay their rent, even on
Christmas Eve!
Scrooge: I don’t understand. You were an
excellent businessman...
Marley: (Throws his arms up) I should
have been an excellent human being!
(Holds his chains up to Scrooge) Mind you,
Scrooge, your chains are going to be thicker
and more burdensome than mine. You’ve
had seven more years to forge them with
your selfish actions.

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 A Christmas Carol

Questions
1. What items are attached to Marley’s chain? Tick one.
bells, keys and padlocks
cash boxes, keys and padlocks
cash boxes, doorknobs and keys
padlocks, doorknobs and bells

2. Draw four lines to match each character to their description.

Jacob Marley They will arrive at one o’clock.

The first spirit A miser who hates Christmas.

The author of ‘A
Ebenezer Scrooge
Christmas Carol’.

A ghost with a chain

Charles Dickens
around his waist.

3. In what era does this story take place?

4. Fill in the missing words.

I forged this load every time I refused to show a shred of

or forgiveness to one of our poor clients.

5. Look at the part where Marley enters and first speaks to Scrooge. Find and copy one word
that means the same as ‘with great effort’.

6. Is Scrooge scared of the ghost of Marley at first? Explain how you know.

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 A Christmas Carol

7. Explain why you think Scrooge is going to be visited by three more ghosts.

8. What do you think the spirits will say to Scrooge?

9. Explain how Scrooge will have to change to ensure he doesn’t have to wear chains as a ghost.

10. Do you think changing his ways will be easy for Scrooge? Explain your answer.

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