The Only GCSE Christmas Carol Summary You Need ✨(Without the Waffle!)✨

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens can be a tad tricky when you can't get your head around the plot, so... here's the 5 Staves of A Christmas Carol broken down!

STAVE 1:

• Scrooge is presented as selfish.
• He mistreats his employees and denies charity.
• Marley's Ghost (Scrooge's ex-business partner) visits him, warning that he will be visited by three more ghosts.

STAVE 2:

• The Ghost of Christmas Past arrives first.
• Scrooge revisits his childhood school and his breakup with Belle.
• He also sees Fezziwig’s festive celebrations, recalling a happier time at the start of his career.

STAVE 3:

• The Ghost of Christmas Present visits next.
• Scrooge observes how others celebrate Christmas, including the humble Cratchits.
• He is introduced to Ignorance and Want, two children symbolising poverty and social injustice.

STAVE 4:

• The final ghost, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, arrives.
• Scrooge sees his own death, realising how little others care for him.
• He also witnesses the tragic death of Tiny Tim.

STAVE 5:

• Scrooge transforms and is redeemed!
• Waking up on Christmas Day, he donates to charity and buys the Cratchits a turkey.
• The next day, Scrooge surprises Bob Cratchit with a raise.