Spirit of Christmas

What is it?
1. Dickens refers to the Christmas spirit and says it should be honoured and kept well
2. Fred sums it up in Stave 1. he describes it as a time when people 'seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.'
3. In the novel, Christmas is described in terms of religion, tradition and selflessness.
Presented symbolically
1. Ghost of Christmas Present
  1. Surrounded by items associated with Christmas.
  2. Sword is rusty, which suggests there is no conflict at Christmas.
Christmas Traditions
1. Ghosts of past and present are associated with holly. Christmas present also has ivy and mistletoe.
2. Tradition of bringing plants into the house at this time of the year dates back to traditional pagan festivals.
3. Feats and drinking were also traditional. this dates back the 19th C, where they would eat thing like: turkey, plum pudding, chestnuts and mince pies.
Religion at Christmas
1. Most people at the time - including the Cratchit family - go to church on Christmas morning.
  1. Even Scrooge himself attends in Stave 5.
2. In stave 1, carol singers come to Scrooge's counting house, but he turns them away.
3. In stave 3, the old minger sings a 'Christmas song' and the sailor join in.
How other characters honour Christmas
1. The portly gentlemen honour it by collecting money for charity.
2. Fred and Fezziwig throw parties, displaying a spirit of generosity.
3. Bob Cratchit and Fred show Christmas spirit, in their attitudes towards Scrooge.
4. In stave 3, people in the streets show kindness and good humour towards each other.

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Spirit of Christmas

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	Created by Abigail Taft almost 3 years ago