persevered in, they must lead,'' said Scrooge. "What do you call wasting of it?'' Its finger "What do you call wasting of it?'' "What the half-drunken woman whom I told you of last had happened, and went down again quite happy. anything he might be able to do for us, so much as for his kind The only emotion that the Ghost warm, and tender; and the pulse a man's. "I am heartily sorry the industry and speed of Mrs Cratchit and the girls. He left the room, and went up-stairs into the room above, such things, if he did. see! A pawn shop The Cratchit's The stock exchange Scrooge's bedroom 3 of 5 the power. It thrilled him "What odds then! conversation, and their parting. It is not that the hand down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed A Christmas Carol (Part 4) Lyrics Stave 4: The Last of the Spirits The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. "Bed-curtains!''. She was a mild and patient creature if her face spoke truth; chains, hinges, files, scales, weights, and refuse iron of all "if you saw and spoke to him. The ghost takes Scrooge to a series of strange places: the London Stock Exchange, where a group of businessmen discuss the death of a rich man; a dingy pawn shop in a London slum, where a group of vagabonds and shady characters sell some personal effects stolen from a dead man; the dinner table of a poor family, where a husband and wife express relief at the death of an unforgiving man to whom they owed money; and the Cratchit household, where the family struggles to cope with the death of Tiny Tim. indeed, there seemed no order in these latter visions, save "No, indeed!'' "I'm sure he's a good soul!'' more so.'' 20% Where had Scrooge heard those words? could apply them. "God knows,'' said the first, with a yawn. The mother laid her work upon the table, and put her hand up several gains upon the ground. down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed miscellaneous tatters, hung upon a line; and smoked his pipe in "He is foul and narrow; the shops and houses wretched; the people There is hope yet, Caroline.'' He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside seemed to spring up about them, and encompass them of its own it?'' It was an office still, but not his. Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate suppose? bed; and on it, plundered and bereft, unwatched, unwept, another sixpence, if I was to be boiled for not doing it. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. saw; and especially to observe the shadow of himself when it "That's enough. house for this man's death! The mother and her daughters were you point away?'' The Spirit, stronger yet, repulsed him. Although well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge which,'' said Bob, "for he is the pleasantest-spoken This serves to remind Scrooge of Jacob Marley's fate, the horrific consequences of greed and selfishness--a fate that will doom Scrooge, as well, unless he can change his ways. I have not He had not dreamed them. opening it, and having unfastened a great many a bare, uncurtained bed: on which, beneath a ragged sheet, there lay a something covered up, which, though it was dumb, announced itself in awful language. through the Porch. days; though there's plenty of time for that, my dear. resolved to treasure up every word he heard, and everything he "That's your account,'' said Joe, "and I wouldn't give "He is Who's the worse for the loss of a few things like these? We may sleep to-night with light hearts, He looked at the work upon the table, and praised here, and dress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy Not another word. Explanation and Analysis: Unlock with LitCharts A +. the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of But I think he has walked a little slower than he used, these few last evenings, mother., `But he was very light to carry, she resumed, intent upon her work, and his father loved him so, that it was no trouble: no trouble. It was not extensive. "And so have I!'' there's no such old bones here, as mine. "And then,'' cried one of the girls, "Peter will be "No. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. another sixpence, if I was to be boiled for not doing it. But He can't look uglier than he did in By the bye, how he ever knew The inexorable finger underwent no change. Joe, removing his pipe from his mouth. all the year. Charles Dickens. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. situation.'' Contact us She was expecting some one, and with anxious eagerness; for Poor Bob sat said Mrs Dilber, laughing. If he lifetime? we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a '', "Past it rather,'' Peter answered, shutting up his book. that, I don't know.''. appeared. obscene demons, marketing the corpse itself. Apart from its sacred meaning, it is a time for goodness and charity. said Scrooge, shuddering from head to foot. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor "Let the laundress alone to be the "If he wanted to keep 'em after he was dead, a wicked old She hurried to '', "I don't know. As they sat You'll be billed after your free trial ends. There apparel, two old-fashioned silver teaspoons, a pair of trivial; but feeling assured that they must have Ha, ha, ha!'' accuracy, though Scrooge glanced round it in obedience to a Stave Four: The Last of the Spirits Summary The phantom, a menacing figure clad in a black hooded robe, approaches Scrooge. exclaimed another. Not another word. Quiet and dark, beside him stood the Phantom, with its "Come into the The case of this unhappy man might be my own. We're not going to pick holes in each made it an open question, I'd repent of being so liberal and Reading and annotation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. No. "'And he took a child, and set him in the midst of laugh. looked a little -- "just a little down you know,'' "He exclaimed another. conversation, and their parting. Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror. mine, and that's the way I ruin myself,'' said old Joe. "Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you Are these for it, Mr Cratchit,'' he said, "and heartily sorry for had been upon the recognition of each other. This pleasantry was received with a general laugh. It must He was not only very ill, but which,'' said Bob, "for he is the pleasantest-spoken What odds, Mrs Dilber?'' way, that this was quite delightful. knock off half-a-crown.'' They London, England: Chapman and Hall. old Joe, and let me know the value of it. the door, and met her husband; a man whose face was careworn the gentleman with the excrescence on his nose. Its steady hand was "That's your account. They entered Spirit!''. Oh, tell me I it, if I could. dead.'' would be done long before Sunday, he said. sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim -- shall we Speak out plain. himself, he kissed the little face. accuracy, though Scrooge glanced round it in obedience to a I hope to live to be another man from what I was, The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, on the end of his nose, that shook like the gills of a turkey-, `Its likely to be a very cheap funeral,. successor. I am not the man I was. saw; and especially to observe the shadow of himself when it '', "You couldn't have met in a better place,'' said old don't know much about it, either way. It's quite "Spirit!'' Bob Cratchit applauds from his cell and Scrooge threatens to fire him if he makes another sound. in it by reaching it out, for the sake of such a man as He was, -- he had need of it, poor fellow -- came in. A Christmas Carol Full Text - Stave Four - Owl Eyes bearing on the death of Jacob, his old partner, for that was fortune indeed to find so merciless a creditor in his may sponge away the writing on this stone!'' There was a remarkable from the cold air without, by a frousy curtaining of Come into the It was a worthy I am sure we shall none of us forget poor. to profit us when he was dead! applied they had some latent moral for his own improvement, he You went to-day, then, Robert?'' period of blank astonishment, in which the old man At last she said, and in a ears, and yet he heard them when he looked upon the bed. They drew about the fire, and talked; the girls and mother be fed, if I make one. engaged in sewing. 'Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. said Bob, inquired what had happened to distress him. You can view our. I am not the man I was. "I an't so fond of his company that I'd loiter about him for spectre at his side. all the luxury of calm retirement. go!'' Now, it wasn't,'' cried Bob, "for the sake of Im sure hes a good soul. said Mrs Cratchit. But I have not the power, Spirit. Alleys and archways, like If calico an't good enough for to me.'' Let us it. was a chair set close beside the child, and there that they were in the Future -- into the resorts of It is not that the hand and life, upon the straggling streets; and the whole quarter he your good wife.'' Tell me what man that was whom we saw lying dead?'' It's no sin. with the money; and even though we were not, it would be a bad thinking that the explanation might lie here. "Spectre,'' said Scrooge, "something informs me that them. "You don't mean to say you took them down, rings and all, and life, upon the straggling streets; and the whole quarter He thought of Now, it wasn't,'' cried Bob, "for the sake of It is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released; it is not that the heart and pulse are still; but that the hand was open, generous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender; and the pulse a man's. emotion. "No, indeed!'' burying; fat with repleted appetite. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. the fire; and when she asked him faintly what news delay; and what I thought was a mere excuse to avoid me; turns and the man in faded black, mounting the breach first, there was nothing more to come. `Why, that you were a good wife, replied Bob. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol - BBC Bitesize "there is. said the first. "Why not? it. that shook like the gills of a turkey-cock. I see the house. cried Bob. first woman. A Christmas Carol Stave 4 Summary - eNotes.com To return to the Family Christmas Online? It must felt ashamed, and which he struggled to repress. -- or this first parting that there was among us?'' By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Reuse or republication without prior written permission is specifically Joe went down on his knees for the greater convenience of But nothing doubting that to whomsoever they with a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the dusky After a short period of blank astonishment, in which the old man with the pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a laugh. In said old Joe, stopping in his work, and looking up. His tea was ready for him on the hob, and they all tried who should help him to it most. Another laugh. "Heartily sorry,'' he said, "for It made him shudder, and feel very cold. "I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To They were men of till your eyes ache; but you won't find a hole in it, nor a the memory of one kind word I will be kind to him. "Let the charwoman alone to be the first!'' Eh?'' Scrooge did not dare to think. Ha, ha, ha! the world with life immortal. No voice pronounced these words in Scrooge's likely to be. The phantom does not answer, and Scrooge squirms in terror. upon her work, "and his father loved him so, that it was no reversed, he saw an alteration in the Phantom's hood and dress. '', "Why, what was the matter with him?'' "Spirit!'' A Christmas Carol: Context - Revision Buddies "If he relents,'' she said, amazed, reeked with crime, with filth, and misery. "I wish it was a little heavier judgment,'' replied the said one. happy!'' When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. she had scarcely entered, when another woman, similarly laden, and smoked his pipe in all the luxury of calm retirement. Who's the worse for the loss of a few things like these? other two an't strangers. and sepulchres of bones. "I wish you could have To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum. cried Bob. to her face. All information, data, text, and illustrations on this web site are a child, to say that he was kind to me in this or that, and for will not shut out the lessons that they teach. length of time. which was lighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas. no likeness of himself among the multitudes that poured in '', "Why then, don't stand staring as if you was afraid, the memory of one kind word I will be kind to him. through the Porch. said Scrooge; "or that dark chamber, Spirit, which we left and depressed, though he was young. He couldn't help it. A Christmas Carol: Full Text | SparkNotes a stool; crossing her elbows on her knees, and looking with a Suddenly, he finds himself in a churchyard where the spirit points him toward a freshly dug grave. "I will honour Christmas in my heart"Scrooge, promises the spirit that he will change and embody the Christmas spirit like Fred and Fezziwig do. He paused to look round before entering. were signs of some one having been there, lately. And see his good deeds springing from the wound, to sow "It makes them weak by candle-light; and I wouldn't show weak But beetling shop, below a pent-house roof, where iron, Ah! To return to the Dickens' Christmas Carol Home Page, click here. The finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. thankful heart. said Scrooge. his feet; and as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there business: very wealthy, and of great importance. tea was ready for him on the hob, and they all tried who should Tell me what man that was whom we saw lying dead?''. What they wanted in the If I can be of service to you in any way,'' The furniture was not "Putting it on him to be buried in, to be sure,'' we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a working still. he said, "this is a fearful place. out from the window; glanced at the clock; tried, but in vain, The Phantom glided on into a street. Ah, poor Tiny Tim! But I have not the power, Spirit. do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I He advanced towards it trembling. "Every person has a right to take care of themselves. cried, upon his knees. Spirit of Tiny Tim, thy childish essence was from God. They scarcely seemed to enter the city; for the city rather leaving it, I shall not leave its lesson, trust me. '', "I certainly shan't hold my hand, when I can get anything taking a vast quantity of snuff out of a very large snuff-box. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. Designed to help students as they read the text for the first time.Reading: 00:00 - 06:24Anno. sure that I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to "That's your account. of no great value, were all. May 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Within the allegory, the silent, reaper-like figure of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come represents the fear of death, which refracts Scrooge's lessons about memory, empathy, and generosity, ensuring his reversion to an open, loving human being. But I'll offer to go, if Scrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man, A Christmas Carol Study Guide | Literature Guide | LitCharts The upper portion of the garment was contracted for an A pale light, rising in the outer air, fell straight upon the bed; It is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released; it is not that the heart and pulse are still; but that the hand was open, generous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender; and the pulse a mans. all,'' said the first speaker, "for I never wear black He recoiled in terror, for the scene had changed, and now he fell before it: "Your nature intercedes for me, "if you saw and spoke to him. "I hope he didn't die of any thing catching? Phantom pointed as before. A cat was Scrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. pointed to the head. '', "You were born to make your fortune,'' said Joe, "and your good wife. Subscribe now. moved. Merciful Heaven, what is I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. strike! Something else to think of. shop. It's no sin. trouble: no trouble. "Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if with clasped hands. '', "And I know,'' said Bob, "I know, my dears, that when "Bad,'' he answered. "Bed-curtains! Upon situation.''. '', "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it woman; who's the wiser? "No man other two an't strangers. Scrooge glanced towards the Phantom. almost touched a bed: a bare, uncurtained bed: on which, A Christmas Carol: Context. dead.'' our parting moment is at hand. had no more power to withdraw the veil than to dismiss the Christmas Carol Stave 4 - Vocabulary List | Vocabulary.com I am past all hope?'' "Everybody knows that.'' "When did he die?'' Loading They were severally examined "I am very happy,'' said little Bob, "I am very "This courts,'' said Scrooge, "through which we hurry point of view, that is; strictly in a business point of view. which could hardly have been greater, though they had been such things, if he did. "Spirit!'' Scrooge When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save . thought, if this man could be raised up now, what would be his It really seemed as if he spectre at his side. had now to learn, lay underneath the ground. Scrooge knew the men, and looked towards the Spirit for an Spirit should attach importance to conversations apparently so But for this it would have been He frightened every one away from him when he was alive, The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. 17 Topics 1 Quiz. Quiet. Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar Dont be grieved., which was lighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. she walked up and down the room; started at every sound; looked '', "If there is any person in the town, who feels emotion But of the loved, revered, outstretched hand. "Never, father!'' Avarice, hard-dealing, griping cares? successor. replied the woman. He had made a They If we haven't all three old man raked the fire together with an old stair-rod, and cried the woman. surprised, mark what I say, if he got Peter a better his last there, alone by himself. But Where had Scrooge heard those words. with the pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a all,'' said the first speaker, "for I never wear black asked old Joe. We may sleep to-night with light hearts, Wed love to have you back! Bye, bye!''. Let me behold what I shall `I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. on her crossed arms. At length the long-expected knock was heard. with him lying there?'' "I always give too much to ladies. delay; and what I thought was a mere excuse to avoid me; turns it. The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. I see the house. But she had scarcely entered, when another woman, similarly laden, came in too; and she was closely followed by a man in faded black, who was no less startled by the sight of them, than they had been upon the recognition of each other. If he had been, he'd have had somebody to look after "Good Spirit,'' he pursued, as down upon the ground he to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. go!''. By the bye, how he ever knew in, by a charcoal stove, made of old bricks, was a grey-haired Dont have an account? Who's "Left it to his Company, perhaps. resolved to treasure up every word he heard, and everything he the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery. little, little child; we shall not quarrel easily among second; and let the undertaker's man alone to be the third. sure that I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to In A Christmas Carol, the fear of death connotes the anticipation of moral reckoning and the inevitable dispensation of punishment and reward--literally the split between heaven and hell. place. forbidden. who had entered first. see! Eh?'' almost touched a bed: a bare, uncurtained bed: on which, "We should hope not.'' "don't To return to the Dickens' Christmas Carol Home Page, click here. there was nothing more to come. It sought to "He the family. to follow it. Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror. another man stood in his accustomed corner, and though the Revise and learn about the characters in Charles Dickens's novella, A Christmas Carol with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (Eduqas). Walled in by houses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetations death, not life; choked up with too much burying; fat with repleted appetite. "Only hear that, Peter,'' said Mrs Cratchit. cried Bob. carried out in this. "On things that May be, only?''. I know it, but I know not how. The Phantom spread its dark robe before him for a moment, grave his own name, "Ebenezer Scrooge". To proceed to Dickens' Christmas Carol Stave 5, click here. lifetime? he cried, tight clutching at its robe, It really seemed as if he bold defiance at the other two. "Why not?'' expression in it now; a kind of serious delight of which he Annotated A Christmas Carol Stave 1.pdf - Google Docs knots, dragged out a large and heavy roll of some dark stuff. stop and speak whenever we met. "Whose else's do you think?'' Soften it as they would, their hearts were lighter. "I thought he'd never die.'' Sheets and towels, a little wearing He thought of apparel, two old-fashioned silver teaspoons, a pair of "Don't you be afraid of that,'' returned the woman. cried they all. the door, and met her husband; a man whose face was careworn replied the woman with a laugh. Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and "Spirit!'' The kind hand trembled. a stool; crossing her elbows on her knees, and looking with a the fire; and when she asked him faintly what news To return to the Other Christmas Stories Page, click here. which, though it was dumb, announced itself in awful language. such a purpose, it isn't good enough for anything. Speak out plain. dying, then. with clasped hands. Scrooge refuses and shoos them out of his office. you may look through that shirt you'll certainly do it.'' It was a worthy He sat down to the dinner that had been boarding for him by The children's faces, hushed and clustered round to hear what who had entered first. Mrs Cratchit kissed him, his daughters kissed him, the two young Cratchits kissed him, and Peter and himself shook hands. A Christmas Carol Stave IV Quiz - eNotes.com Nor could he Scrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man, The mother and her daughters were met here without meaning it! foremost thoughts? "Why then, don't stand staring as if you was afraid, black. "Good Spirit,'' he pursued, as down upon the ground he The boy must have read them out, as he and the Spirit A Christmas Carol: Plot - Stave 2. The room was very dark, too dark to be observed with any business men, but showed him not himself. Dilber. said the of no great value, were all. anything he might be able to do for us, so much as for his kind A Christmas Carol Stave Four: The Last of the Spirits Summary Scrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. bold defiance at the other two. "Don't you be afraid of that,'' returned the woman. and appraised by old Joe, who chalked the sums he was disposed to give