Here are the summary, questions and answers, and notes for the English chapter “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, which is a part of the syllabus for NBSE class 9 students. However, the materials presented here should be used only for references and nothing more.
Summary
A Christmas Carol is an abridged version of the novel ‘A Christmas Carol’ written by Charles Dickens and published in 1843. The story is about one old man named Ebenezer Scrooge, who would not celebrate Christmas as he thought Christmas was stupid. He was also a miser and didn’t give any donations.
One Christmas Eve, he received an invitation from his nephew for a dinner, but he sent him away saying Christmas was ‘humbug’ or nonsense. But that night, as he was sleeping, he was visited by three ghosts, one after another. First, he was visited by the ghost of Christmas past. The ghost took him to the Christmases in the past and showed him how he let the girl, who used to love him, go on a Christmas Eve. The ghost also showed him how his sister used to love him, which made him feel bad at how he treated her son and his nephew. Then, he was visited by the ghost of a Christmas present and took him to the house of his nephew where he heard his nephew saying that he loved him and felt pity for him. This melted his heart. Finally, the ghost of Christmas future visited him and took him to a room where the corpse of his clerk’s son Tim was lying. He was saddened by the death and asked the ghost why little Tim had to die. Soon after, the ghost took him to a graveyard and showed him a grave with his name on it.
Seeing his own grave, Ebenezer Scrooge started to cry and pleaded with the ghost to not show him anything more and that he wasn’t the man he had become and promised that from that day onward, he would honour Christmas in his heart. The ghost took him back to his bedroom. In the morning, Scrooge became a completely different man. He gave donations, visited his nephew, and raised his clerk’s salary.
Video tutorial
Textual questions and answers
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Bob Cratchit was……..
A. a member of the fund-raising organization B. Scrooge’s nephew C. Scrooge’s niece’s husband D. Scrooge’s clerk
Answer: D. Scrooge’s clerk
2. With the Ghost of Christmas Past Scrooge saw…….
A. a little boy standing alone in school B. his elder sister welcoming him home C. his sister’s daughter D. his wife Belle
Answer: A. a little boy standing alone in school
3. Scrooge finally changed on Christmas after watching…….
A. Fred B. Bob Cratchit C. Tiny Tim D. Scrooge’s niece
Answer: C. Tiny Tim
4. After the Ghost of the Future had finished with Scrooge, Scrooge …….
A. went to Bob Cratchit’s house B. found happiness in everything C. went to meet the person to donate money D. went straight home
Answer: B. found happiness in everything
5. The message of the play ‘A Christmas Carol’ is……..
A. family and friends are a source of happiness B. money cannot buy happiness C. charity brings true happiness D. all of the above
Answer: D. all of the above
Read and Write
1. What kind of man was Ebenezer Scrooge? What were his views on Christmas?
Answer: Ebenezer Scrooge was a selfish person who lacked a generous spirit despite having great wealth. He was insensitive to the feelings of others and believed that through wealth happiness and comforts could be attained. He felt that Christmas was just a farce to ask for a donation in the name of helping the poor and the needy. According to him the poor and the idle had no reason to be merry. He also felt that holidays were a waste of working hours and people should work instead on those days and acquire wealth and money and thereby become rich and prosperous.
2. Scrooge was mean to all who came to him on Christmas Eve. What did he say?
Answer: Scrooge didn’t respond kindly to his nephew’s cheerful greetings and to him Christmas was just humbug. He told his nephew that he had no reason to be happy or cheerful since his salary was small and with that, he had to maintain his family. He didn’t have surplus money to spend on festivity. Scrooge was also rude to the two men who had come for the donation saying it was an excuse to rob the rich man. He sent them away without offering any money. He further cautioned his clerk that while he was taking a day off, he must be early in the office on the following day.
3. Fill in the table with the details of the three ghosts who visit Scrooge.
Answer:
- Ghost of Christmas Past: A strange figure resembling both a child and an old man, showing Scrooge scenes from his own past, including his lonely childhood, lost love, and moments that once brought him joy. Scrooge learns to reflect on his life choices and the joy he once knew.
- Ghost of Christmas Present: A majestic spirit representing the current Christmas, showing Scrooge the happiness of others during the holiday, including his clerk’s struggling family and the festive celebration at his nephew’s home. Scrooge is taught about the joy and goodwill that he is missing.
- Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: A silent, ominous figure shrouded in black, showing Scrooge bleak visions of his future, including his own unattended death and the consequences of his continued miserliness. This visit teaches Scrooge about the finality of death and the legacy of his actions.
4. What was the change that came over in Scrooge’s nature after the visitations from the three ghosts? How did he make up for his mean behaviour?
Answer: In the story A Christmas Carol, after the visitations of the three ghosts, Scrooge realized that he had been mean and selfish in his conduct. He had valued money over people and relationships and so, he lost all those who were close to him due to his avarice and selfishness.
When he realized that money wasn’t the most important thing in life but people are, he decided to be a different person than he used to be. He gave a generous amount of money as donations to the less fortunate, took interest in others and started to interact with the children. He took part in the celebration of Christmas at his nephew’s house and even raised his clerk’s salary besides promising him to assist his struggling family.
5. Fill in the blanks.
Answer: a) Scrooge can best be described as miserly and cold-hearted.
b) Scrooge’s nephew wished a merry Christmas as he left Scrooge’s counting house.
c) The first person to visit Scrooge in his dream was the Ghost of Christmas Past.
d) While at school, Scrooge had been a lonely and miserable boy.
e) The changed Scrooge shocked Bob Cratchit by raising his salary and offering to assist his struggling family.
Think and Write
1. How does Dickens present the theme of charity and Christmas Spirit in “The Christmas Carol”?
Answer: Charles Dickens presents the theme of charity and Christmas spirit in “A Christmas Carol” through the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, from a miserly and solitary man to one who embraces the joy of giving and the warmth of the Christmas spirit. Initially, Scrooge is depicted as a character who despises Christmas, seeing it as a time for idleness and unnecessary expenditure. However, through the interventions of the three ghosts—of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come—Scrooge is shown the value of compassion, the importance of human connection, and the impact of generosity. Dickens uses Scrooge’s journey to critique the social injustices of his time and to advocate for a more charitable and kind-hearted approach to life, especially towards the less fortunate. The transformation of Scrooge from a “man of business” who values money above all to a benefactor of the poor and a loving family member embodies the Christmas spirit of giving, compassion, and redemption.
7. Explain the significance of the three ghosts in the story. What kind of change came over in Scrooge’s nature after the visitations from the three ghosts?
Answer: The three ghosts in “A Christmas Carol” represent the past, present, and future, each playing a crucial role in Scrooge’s transformation. The Ghost of Christmas Past illuminates Scrooge’s early life, revealing how his experiences shaped his current miserliness and isolation. This reflection on lost happiness and love evokes regret and a longing for connection. The Ghost of Christmas Present exposes Scrooge to the joy, suffering, and resilience of those around him, emphasising the impact of his actions on others and the value of compassion and community. Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come confronts Scrooge with the bleak outcome of his unaltered path, including his lonely death and the consequences of his neglect. This harrowing vision propels Scrooge towards redemption. After these visitations, a profound change overcomes Scrooge; he becomes generous, joyful, and caring, actively seeking to improve the lives of those around him. He embraces the spirit of Christmas, showing kindness to his employee Bob Cratchit, reconciling with his nephew, and aiding the needy, embodying the virtues of empathy, generosity, and love that he had previously scorned.
Extra MCQs
1. What is Scrooge’s initial reaction to Christmas in “A Christmas Carol”?
A. He is indifferent B. He is excited C. He finds it delightful D. He considers it a humbug
Answer: D. He considers it a humbug
20. Who helps Scrooge realize the true meaning of Christmas?
A. Bob Cratchit B. The three ghosts C. His nephew D. Tiny Tim
Answer: B. The three ghosts
Extra questions and answers
1. Who is the author of Christmas Carol?
Answer: The author of Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens.
19. Who is Belle?
Answer: Belle is a woman from Scrooge’s past, who broke off their engagement due to his growing obsession with money.
20. What does Scrooge do on Christmas Day to show his changed nature?
Answer: Scrooge goes out on the street, greets a charitable gentleman warmly, attends church, walks about the streets enjoying the festive atmosphere, interacts kindly with people, and joins his nephew for Christmas dinner.
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