A Christmas Carol
Watch and read along to Stave 2.
Exam Focus - English Language
For most exam boards, we focus on AQA. Question two deals with Assessment Objective 2, AO2.
AO2 - Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views.
Question 2 is worth 8 marks, so I recommend spending about 10 minutes answering it. Try not to spend any longer, as it will leave you with less time to answer the higher-mark questions. However, please focus on answering the question well, as with question 1, these are easier marks to gain, and many students lose points by rushing to get to the harder questions.
So, what is question 2 all about?
Question two asks you to identify language features that the writer uses to describe something. You have already covered a range of language features and we will be covering more but you know enough now to give question 2 a go. Be careful that you only identify language features and not structural features.
You will need to:
Identify a language feature.
Choose a short quote to demonstrate the feature.
Analyse the effect of the feature on the reader.
Practice
Example
Read the extract below.
“It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.”
Answer the following question.
How does Dickens use language to convey the appearance and effect of the Ghost of Christmas Past?
Get ready to write your PEEL paragraphs.
Read the text and identify any language features that stand out to you; use this information to point out and provide evidence.
Explain the feature.
Link the feature and explanation to the effect it has on the reader.
If you feel confident enough, have a go at writing your own response now. If not read through the example responses below.
Lower-Level Response (4 Marks)
Dickens describes the Ghost of Christmas Past in a way that makes it seem strange and unusual. The ghost wears “a tunic of the purest white,” which makes it look pure and innocent, almost like a symbol of Scrooge’s past. The word “purest” suggests that it is connected to Scrooge’s younger, uncorrupted years.
The ghost holds “a branch of fresh green holly,” which is something associated with winter, but it also has “summer flowers” on its dress. This mixture of winter and summer makes the ghost seem strange and mysterious, like it is from different times or seasons at once. This gives it a timeless quality, as if it doesn’t belong to just one part of the year.
There is also “a bright clear jet of light” coming from the ghost’s head, which shows that it brings light and understanding. This light makes the ghost seem powerful and adds a magical effect, as if it is not entirely real. Overall, Dickens uses this language to make the ghost seem pure and mysterious, making Scrooge and the reader curious about what it has to show.
Higher-Level Response (8 Marks)
Dickens uses rich and contrasting imagery to create a complex and symbolic representation of the Ghost of Christmas Past. The ghost’s attire, described as a “tunic of the purest white,” suggests purity and innocence, aligning with the themes of memory and childhood. This choice of “purest white” connects the ghost to Scrooge’s own untainted early years, emphasizing the ghost’s role in guiding him through a reflection of his past.
The details Dickens provides also create a sense of contradiction, particularly in the “branch of fresh green holly” that the ghost holds, an emblem of winter, which contrasts with the “summer flowers” trimming its dress. This blend of seasonal elements symbolizes the coexistence of Scrooge’s joyful memories with the harshness and sorrow he later experiences. The contradictory imagery gives the ghost a timeless quality, suggesting it is beyond any one season or time period, much like memories themselves.
Additionally, Dickens describes “a bright clear jet of light” shining from the ghost’s head, which represents the enlightenment and insight the ghost brings to Scrooge. This light is an emblem of clarity, illuminating Scrooge’s hidden memories and emotions. The “extinguisher” cap held under its arm suggests that the ghost has control over what it reveals, adding an unsettling effect. This language choice emphasizes the ghost’s power to either reveal or obscure the truth, heightening its mysterious effect on Scrooge and the reader.
Through this intricate language, Dickens presents the Ghost of Christmas Past as a figure of both comfort and unsettling revelation, symbolizing the complexity of revisiting one’s own memories.
Now you can have a go!
Read the following extract from Stave 2 of A Christmas Carol.
"It was a strange figure—like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child’s proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin."
Question: How does Dickens use language to describe the Ghost of Christmas Past?
Here are two example responses. Please do not look at them until after you have tried to answer the question. Use the marking criteria to mark your own answer.
Symbolism
Watch the video to recap symbolism.
Dickens uses many symbols throughout the novella to strengthen his message about social responsibility. In Stave 1, for example, Marley's chains forged by him 'link by link' provide a strong image of the consequences of Marley's obsession with wealth and the neglect of his 'fellowmen'. Fire is often used to symbolise emotional warmth or the lack of it. For example, in Stave 1 Scrooge keeps his rooms dark because 'darkness is cheap'. He has 'a very small fire' at the office and 'a very low fire' at home. The lack of warmth and light in Scrooge's life symbolises his lack of joy and companionship. Look out for other examples of fire during the rest of the novella.
Here are some examples of symbols used in Stave 2.
Ghost of Christmas Past
This ghost represents Scrooge’s past memories and serves as a guide for self-reflection. Its appearance, being both young and old, symbolises the complex and timeless nature of memory, reminding Scrooge of his innocence and missed opportunities.
The ghost has “a bright, clear jet of light” coming from its head, which symbolizes enlightenment and truth. This light illuminates Scrooge’s memories, helping him to see his past more clearly. The ghost’s ability to hide the light with a “great extinguisher” cap hints at Scrooge’s attempts to suppress these memories.
The Extinguisher Cap
The ghost holds an “extinguisher” cap, which can be used to cover its light. This cap represents Scrooge’s desire to hide or forget his painful memories and emotions. Scrooge wants to avoid confronting the truth of his past, just as he wants the light extinguished.
The Country Scene (Scrooge’s Childhood Schoolhouse)
When Scrooge sees his lonely childhood self, it symbolises the isolation and hardship he endured in his early years. This scene brings out sympathy for Scrooge and shows how his cold-heartedness may have originated from a neglected past.
Fan, Scrooge’s Sister
Fan represents Scrooge’s lost connection to family and love. She is a reminder of the kindness and warmth that he once had in his life. Her early death also foreshadows the loss and loneliness that would eventually consume Scrooge’s life.
Fezziwig’s Party
The scene at Fezziwig’s warehouse contrasts sharply with Scrooge’s miserly ways. Fezziwig’s celebration represents the joy and generosity that Scrooge once experienced but later rejected. This scene symbolises how kindness and community bring people together, something Scrooge has lost in his life.
Belle and the Golden Idol
Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée, represents the love and happiness he sacrificed for wealth. Dickens uses Belle’s departure to highlight the theme of love versus greed. The “golden idol” is a metaphor Belle uses to describe Scrooge’s obsession with money, suggesting that he has chosen wealth over a meaningful relationship.
Each of these symbols in Stave 2 serves as a reminder of Scrooge’s lost innocence, missed opportunities, and the importance of kindness, generosity, and connection—qualities he must reclaim if he is to find redemption.
In your journal, write the title Symbol Gallery across a double page. Search for symbols in Stave 2 and draw them in your gallery. Write a short description next to each symbol. e.g. fog and darkness - often represents ignorance or Scrooge's closed heart.
The Ghost of Christmas Past
In Stave 2, we meet the Ghost of Christmas Past, another key character in the novella.
Watch DystopiaJunkie's The Ghost of Christmas Past.
Read the character profile of the Ghost of Christmas Past by PMT.
Create a character profile for the Ghost of Christmas Past, be sure to include:
physical description
key quotes
purpose
Exam Practice
How does Dickens use symbolism in the description of the Ghost of Christmas Past to convey ideas about Scrooge’s past? (20 marks)
The answer should take around 20 mins to write and it should be 4-5 paragraphs long.
Use the marking rubric below to allocate marks for your finished piece of writing.
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