A Christmas Carol - Lesson 6 - The Ghost of Christmas Present Worksheet

In Lesson 6 of "A Christmas Carol," students delve into the vivid portrayal of poverty through the eyes of the Ghost of Christmas Present. The worksheet directs attention to a poignant extract from Stave Three, where Charles Dickens uses powerful imagery to depict the dire conditions faced by children in Victorian society. The ghost reveals two children, described with a barrage of adjectives such as "wretched," "abject," and "frightful," to highlight their pitiable state. These children, a boy and a girl, are characterised by their yellow, meagre appearance and ragged clothing, which starkly contrasts with the innocence and vibrancy typically associated with youth.

Dickens employs a striking metaphor, comparing the children's altered features to a "stale and shrivelled hand" that has contorted their appearance, suggesting the dehumanising effect of poverty. He further intensifies the scene by suggesting that where one would expect the angelic presence of youth, there exists a malevolent force, as "devils lurked" in their expressions. The author's language conveys a sense of utter degradation and perversion of humanity, so much so that Scrooge, upon witnessing this, is shocked into a moment of self-awareness. The description is so powerful that even Scrooge, who is known for his cold-heartedness, cannot bring himself to deny their suffering, indicating the profound impact of the ghost's lesson on the importance of compassion and social responsibility.