ion of Dickens'sstory about

Ebeneze¡ Scrooge comes witha twist: Itt Eleanora Scroogewho wakes on Christmas Eveand encounters the ghost ofher long-dead business parmer,Gladys Marley. Itt'A ChristmasCarol" with a female lead-anopportunity for an engagingcompare-and-contrast lessonwith the original text. This isalso a great story for studyingchar acter ization and motivation.

Narrator I

Narrator 2

Bob Cratchit: Scrooge's clerl<

lvls. Eleanora Scrooge:A rich and cranþ old banker

Elizabeth: Scrooge's cheer^ful niece

Old Lady Marley: Scrooge's deadbusiness partner

Ghost Chorus: Ghostly soundsmade by all the ghosts in unison

nlecedreory

by Charles Dickens (England, lg43)

: Ghost l:i The Ghost of Christmas past

chost 2:: f¡" Ghost of Christmas present

: Ghost 3: The Ghost of Christmas: Yet to Come (nonspeaking part)

Tiny Tina Cratchit:Bob's crippled daughter

Mrs. Cratchifi Bob's wife

Fezziwigz Scrooge's f rrst employer

. Passerby I

Passerby 2

, Boy: Other nonspeaking parts:r Buddy Lee: Young Scrooge

chomberundigested

wonderchority

MOSSIVC

toostmournsolory

Vocabulary

Re¡td-Aloul Pk\c: classic short stories@ 20rr toy Mack Lervis, schorasricTeaching Resources

*ft rnri,

Scene 1: tTlT åstn'lss Ji.ve , å-ç;nrJr:ll

You wouldnt think Christmas Eve to be a time for ghost

stories, but here in the offices of Eleanora Scrooge and her

long-dead partner, Gladys Marley, our ghostly tale begins'

Let me say again that Old Lady Marley is dead' This youmust understand.

Ms. Scrooge, ma'am, might I add some coal to the fire?

Absolutely not! Coal costs money' Doesnt your coat keep

you warm?

Not really, ma'am'

Then I suggest You get a ne\M one'

But, ma'am '..That's enough, Mr. Cratchit! Back to work' There's moneyto be earned.

Just as she did every Christmas, Scrooge's niece came

visiting.

She hoped to sPread some cheer'

Merry Christmas, Auntie!

Bah, humbug!

Christmas a humbug? You don't mean it!

I do! tVhat reason have you to be merry? Youre not rich!

Come, dear Auntie. tVhat reason have you to be so

gloomy? You, with all your money?'ùØhere is your spirit?

Bah, humbug! g

money on thinidiot who goes e

boiled in her own Pudding'

Auntie!

Niece! You celebrate Christmas your way' Let me celebrate

it my way.

But you don't celebrate it.

Let me not celebrate it then' But take my advice' it has

done you no good.

There are many things that do us good without making

us rich. Thoug'h ChÃtmas has never put a scrap ofgold in -y p,irr., I believe I am all the better for having

NARRATOR I:

NARRATOR 2:

CRATCHIT:

SCROOGE:

CRATCHIT:

SCROOGE:

CRATCHIl:

SCROOGE¡

NARRATOR 2:

ELIZABETH:

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH:

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH:

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH¡

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH:

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH¡

Which wordsfrorn the fìrstfew lines set tht"mood" or "tonrof the play?

NARRATOR I:

celebrated it.

Redrl-Aloud Plala: C¿tssic Sl¡ort Stories@ 20ll by Mack Lewis' ScholasricTeaching Resottrces

ilti.;l¡ Christmos Corol

CRATCHIT:

SCROOGE:

CRATCHIT:

ELIZABETH:

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH:

SCROOGE:

ELIZABETH:

CRATGHIT:

SGROOGE:

GHOST CHORUS:

NARRATOR I:

NARRATOR 2:

NARRATOR I:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR 2:

NARRATOR I:

SCROOGE:

MARLEY¡

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR 2:

Yes, yes!

Any more from you, Mr. Cratchit, and you'll celebrateChristmas by looking for a new job.

Yes, ma'am.

Dont be angry, Auntie. Have Christmas dinner with ustomorrow.

Humbug!

But why not?

That's enough! Good da¡ Niece.

So be it. But I shall keep my Christmas spirit till the end.Merry Christmas, Auntie! Merry Christmas, Mr. Cratchit!

H"ppy New Year, Elizabeth!

Now there's a ridiculous notion: My clerk, with barelyenough money to feed his famil¡ and a crippled child too,talking about a happy new year. I must be mad!

How do Scrooge'sand Elizabeth'sphilosophies aboutlife differ?

Scene 2: Late That Ssrne Eveninq

Ouwooooh!

Darkness is cheap.

It was while Scrooge sat by the fireplace in her dark anddreary house that she heard the door fly open . ..

And the rattling of chains.

It's humbug still! I won't believe it!

Passing through the heavy door to Scroogeì chambercame a ghost with death-cold eyes.

Its head was r¡/rapped in bandages. it had chains lockedaround its body.

Pooh poohlI'm not a woman to be frightened by shadows.

You dont believe in me?

I don t! You're just an undigested bit of beef or anunderdone potato. You're probably just a little stomach gas.

At this, the spirit raised a frighful cry and shook its chainswith such an awful noise that Scrooge dropped to herknees and covered her face.

Ouwooooh!MARLEY:Read-Aloud Pla¡,s: Cl¿ssir Short Stories@ 201I by Mack Lewis, ScholasticTeaching Resources

Merc¡ dreadful spirit! Vhat is it you want with me?

Much! In life I was your partner, Gladys Marley. I amdoomed to forever drag this chain and wander through theworld. Oh, woe is me!

But why are you chained?

I drag the chain I made while living. Each link is a kinddeed I didnt do or a favor I left undone. This time ofyear, I suffer most. Oh, why did I walk through crowds ofneedy people but not show chariry?!

But you were always such a good businesswoman, Gladys.

Again the ghost raised a cry and shook its chains.

Ou.,wooooh!Mankind should have been my business. Ishould have dealt in mercy and kindness! Do you knowthe weight of the chain you\e making, Eleanora? It wasas long as mine seven Christmas Eves ago. Imagine howmassive it is now!

Gladys, what can be done?

Hear me, Scrooge! You have e chance to escape my fate.You will be haunted by three spirits. They are your onlyhope to change your future. Expect the first when theclock strikes 1.

Otuu,,ooooh!

Scene 3: tne O'Cï*ck, Post Midnight

SCROOGE:

MARLEY:

SCROOGE:

MARLEY:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR I:

MARLEY:

SCROOGE:

MARLEY:

GHOST GHORUS:

NARRATOR I:

GHOST I:

NARRATOR 2:

GHOST I:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR I:

FEZZIV,IG¿

f| ,nrirr*os coroì

What does thechain represent?How massive wouldScrooge's be?

As the clock struck 1, Scrooge awoke to find an eerievisitor.

I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. Rise and walk with me.

They passed magically into Scrooge's past.

Do you know this place?

Know it? I held my first job here! \Øh¡ look, it's oldFezziwig. Bless her heart!

Ms. Fezziwig looked at the clock and clapped her hands.

Itt Christmas Eve! Yo, ho, there, young Eleanora! Yo, ho,everyone! No more work tonight. Clear the floor fordancing and singing and celebrating Christmasl

Read-Aloud Plays: Cl¿ssic Short Stories @ 201I by Mack Lewis, Scholastic Teaching Resources

4fl¡ ü,rirt*os Coroì

NARRATOR 2:

GHOST I:

SCROOGE:

GHOST I:

SCROOGE:

GHOST I:

SCROOGE:

GHOST I:

SCROOGE:

GHOST I:

SCROOGE:

GHOST CHORUS:

GHOST 2:

NARRATOR I:

NARRATOR 2:

GHOST 2:

SCROOGE:

GHOST 2:

SCROOGE:

GHOST 2:

SCROOGE:

GHOST 2:

Scene l+: Two 0'Cïock, Fost Midnight

Food was brought in. The music began. Everyone starteddancing-including young Scrooge.

Such a waste of mone¡ all this.

A waste of money?

Isnt it?

Of course not! Look how happy everyone is. Fezziwig wasa master at making people h"ppy. She did little thingsmosdy. It was the way she looked at you, or a pat on theback. And this dancing!

\Øho are you dancing with?

Ah, Buddy. It's young Buddy Lee.

You loved him, but you didnt marry him.

I first needed to seek my fortune.

You mean, there was no profit in loving him!

Spirit, why do you torture me? Show me no more. I dontwish to see it!

Ou.,wooooh!

\Øake up, lady!.W'ake up and know me better!

The second spirit was as grand and joyful as the season.

Its eyes were clear and kind, yet they frightened Scrooge.

I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. I'll bet youVe neverseen anything like me before!

Spirit, take me where you will. Let me learn from it.

Off with us then!Touch my robe!

\Øhere are we?

You dont know the house of your own clerk, BobCratchit?

Is this his house? He does pretty well, considering howlittle I pay him.Is that so? Come inside. The family is just now sittingdown for Christmas dinner.

Mother, there never was such a grand goose as this!

r¡),.t'i.

Why does theghost say theparty is a wasteof money? How

"

does Scrooge's ì

resPOnse SnOw i

how her attitude imight be changing? I

Was Scroogewrong to haveput off marrying?How would herlife have beendifferent?

The authorintended for thisghost to remindyou of someone.Who?

TINY TINA:

Read-Aloud Plals: Cl¡ssic Sltott Stories @ 2011 by Mack Lewis, Scholastic Teaching Resources

CRATCHIT:

SCROOGE:

GHOST 2:

SCROOGE:

CRATCHIT:

MRS. CRATCHIT(ongrily)z

GRATCHIT:

MRS. CRATGHIT:

ALL:

TINY TINA:

SCROOGE¡

GHOST 2:

SCROOGE:

GHOST 2:

GHOST GHORUS:

NARRATOR I:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR 2:

SCROOGE:

PASSERBY I:

PASSERBY 2:

PASSERBY I:

Splendid, my dear. Itt wonderful!

So excited over a little goose! Youd think it was a prizeturkey.

It's all they can afford! They're poor!

Thue, but they're h"ppy. Look how pleased they are withe¡ç ¿¡q¡þs¡-especially that Tiny Tina.

A toast! To Ms. Scrooge, the founder of our feast!

The founder of our feast, indeed! I wish she were herenow. I'd give her a piece of my mind to feast upon!

My dear! It's Christmas. Lett not be angry.

I'll toast her health because it's Christmas, but that's all.Long life to her! Merry Christmas to that nasry unfeeling,unkind founder of our feast, Ms. Scrooge.

Merry Christmas!

And God bless us, everyone!

TinyTina looks so frail!Tell me, Spirit, will she live?

I see an empty seat at the table. I see a tiny crutch withno owner.

Oh, no! Say she will be spared!

If things remain the same, the child will die.

Owwooooh!

Christmos Corol

' This is a critical: point in the story.: Why?

Scene 5: Three û'Clock, Fost Midnight

The third ghost was hidden inside a black robe. It left nothingvisible save for one crooked hand.

You are the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?

The spirit didn't answer. It merely pointed its long, bony fingerinto a weed-infested churchyard.

\Øhose funeral is this? \X/hy is no one here to mourn? Têll me,Spirit, is there anyone in this town who cared for this person?

\Øhen did she die?

Last week.

tùØhat was the matter with her?

Read-AlodPlays:Cl¿ssicShortStories@ 20ll byMackLewis,ScholasticTeachingResources

Christmos Corol

PASSERBY 2:

PASSERBY I:

PASSERBY 2:

PASSERBY I:

PASSERBY 2:

NARRATOR I:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR 2:

GHOST GHORUS:

SCROOGE (sobbing)z

NARRATOR I:

NARRATOR 2:

SCROOGE:

BOY:

SCROOGE:

BOY:

SCROOGE:

BOY:

SCROOGE:

An empry heart, I suppose.

Her money didnt do her much good, did it?

Not a single person here to mourn her!

But think of all the money she saved with such a cheap funeral!

Ha, ha, ha!

The ghost pointed Scrooge to a gravestone.

Before I look, Spirit, tell me one thing. Can this futurebe changed?

The Spirit gave no reply. Scrooge trembled. She looked uponthe stone and read the words, ELEANORA SCROOGE.

Ouuooooh!

No, Spirit! Hear me! I am not the person I was! I will honorChristmas in my heart! I will celebrate it all year long. Pleasetell me I can still erase the name upon this stone!

Because ofScrooge'sencounters withthe ghosts, thisstory aPPears tobe unrealistic. lsthere any way itcould be viewedas realistic?

Scene 6: Christmus Morníng

'üØhen Scrooge awoke, she was so happy to see daylight, shelaughed out loud. For a woman who had been out of practicefor so long, it was a wonderful laugh.

She opened her window and called to a boy.

\Øhat day is it, my fine fellow?

Today? \üØhy, it's Christmas Day!

I havent missed it then! Listen, my young fellow You knowthe prize turkey hanging in the butcher's window?

The one thatt bigger than me?

Yes, that one. I'll pay you to go and buy it and have it broughthere. If you come back in less than five minutes, I'll pay youdouble!

Yes, ma am! Merry Christmas, ma'am!

I'll have it delivered to Bob Cratchitb. Then I must join myniece for dinner. Heaven be praised, I havent missed it!

Read-Aloud Plays: Classic Short Stories @ 2011 by Mack Lewis, Schoìasric Teach ing Resou rces

sceng 7:'tti;r r'i:' ' ' i':tr"l

Christmos Cqrol

Stories are oftendefìned by howthe main characterchanges. How andwhy has Scroogechanged?

Compare this lineto the very firstline of the play.How has Matildachanged? How isit an example ofirony?

NARRATOR I:

SCROOGE:

CRATCHIT:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR 2:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR I:

SCROOGE:

NARRATOR 2:

NARRATOR I:

NARRATOR 2:

TINY TINA:

MATILDA:

FORESTIER:

FLAUBERT(ofter o pouse)t

MAUPASSANT:

The next moming, Scrooge arrived at the ofÊce early. Shewanted to catch Bob Cratchir reporting late!

Mr. Cratchit, you're eighteen and a half minutes late!

It's only once a year, ma'am. \Øe were making merry ratherlong last night. It wont happen again.

I'll tell you what, Cratchit. I'm not going to stand for this anylonger!

Poor Bob Cratchit! He was certain he was about to be fired.

And therefore, Mr. Cratchit. . .I'm doubling your salarf

Cratchit was stunned!

Merry Christmas, Bob!The merriest Christmas ever!Andyour salary is just a start. I'll help your struggling family any ,

way I can. And Tina, whatever she needs, I'll buy it. Now, .

lett warm up this place. Buy some more coal, Bob Cratchit. ,

Before you dot another z, buy more coal.

Scrooge was better than her word. She became as good aperson and as good a friend as the city knew

',

It was always said, if anyone knew how to celebrateChristmas, it was Eleanora Scrooge.

May that be said of all of us.

And God bless us, everyone!

I returned another exacdy like it. It has taken us tenyears to pay for it. You can understand how hard it's jbeen for us to live in poverry for so long, but it is :

finally finished, and I am decently content. i

You say you bought a necklace to replace mine? I

My poor Matilda. Had you only come to me. My :diamonds were false. They weren't worth but five ihundred francs. ì

Bo¡ that is a hard lesson.

Indeed, Flaubert. Indeed. A lesson for all ofus

What is the lessonor moral of thestory? What arewe supposed tohave learned?

Read-Alord Pla1,s: Cla¡sic Short Stories@ 201I by Mack Lewis, ScholasticTeaching Resources

Name: Date:

Lircrary H lerurentsl$tory miseussion

W

ww

w

w

w

W

W

w

ffi

What is the title of the story?

Who is the author?

Setting: When and where does the story happenl

Main character: Who is the story aboutl

Conflict: What is the main character's problem?

Resolution: How does the main character fix the problem?

Theme:What is the universal idea behind the storyl

Moral: What lesson are we supposed to learn from the story?

Realism: ls the story realistic or unrealistic?What evidence is there?

Plot: Retell or summarize the main events of the story in just a few sentences.

Read-Aloud PkTs: Classic Short Stories @ 2011 by Mack Lewis, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Play Perforrnance Scoring Guide

Student

Play:

Exceedsexpectations

Meets¡ expectations

Does notyet meet

expectations

Fluency

*- Reads without error* lntonation and

expression consistentlyaPProPflate tocharacter

*- Reads with minimalerrors

àÊ Some intonation andexPressrveness

*- Frequency or nature oferrors suggests needfor more practice

ilê Frequent stumbles, flatintonation, or lack ofexPressron

Delivery

*- Consistentlyappropriatevolume

* Pacing asif speakingnaturally

* Appropriatelyloud volume

* ConsistentPacrnt

* Too quiet* Choppy or

rushed pacing

Date

Part:

Stage Presence

* Projects toward audience

* Memorizes lines

* Acts and puts character in voice, speakswith accent, etc.

* Recognizes cues without prompting* Demonstrates leadership when practicing/

performing* May incorporate props where appropriate

* Consistently faces audience

* Holds script away from face

* Attempts to act with voicecharacterization, etc.

*- Follows along, recognizes cues

* Demonstrates cooperation whenPractrcrng

* Tends to turn back to audience

* Tends to speak into script* Does not add character-just reads lines

* Loses place, misses cues

* Tends to be unprepared or unfocused

Grade Level

Comprehens¡on

)F Able to identifyand elaborate onliterary elements andperformance objectionsduring discussion andassessment actlvrttes

*' Able to identify mostliterary elements andperformance objectivesduring assessmentactrvrtres

*- Participates indiscussions

:ií Does not participate indiscussions

*' Unable to identify mostliterary elements orperformance objectives

Read-Alaud. Pkls: Ckssic Short Søries @ 20Il by Mack Lewis, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Discussion Questions A.tswer K"yA Christmas Carol (page 30)

Page 3 I

Ghostand dead appear twice within thefirst two lines, esmblishing a dark mood.

Page 32 (top)Scrooge's only goal seems to be that ofaccumulating money. Although apparentlyquite rich, she lives like a miser. Elizabeth,while apparently not rich, has a health¡balanced life view. She is focused onrelationships----<ven with nasry old Scrooge!

Page 32 (bottom)The line shows how Scrooge, beingmiserly, has made her house so dark andscary that the appearance ofghosts makessense.'W'ould the story seem as plausibleif Scrooge lived in â vvann, bright, andcheerful place?

Page 33

Marley says each link in the chainrepresents a kind deed left undone,therefore the chain represents all thenastiness or sins ofits owner. Scrooge'schain is apparently much longer andheavier than Marley's.

Page 34 (top)The ghost is using something.like reversepsychology to get Scrooge to admit she onceenjoyed Christmas, which appaLently shedid before becoming consumed by money.

Page 34 (bottom)Answers will vary. Isn't it consideredprudent today for young u/omen tocomplete their education and esmblishtheir careers before marrying? Had Scroogemarried, would she have ultimatelysacri6ced the marriage in pursuit ofwealth? Or would she have led a life morelike that of Mrs. Cratchit?

Page 3s (top)The ghost is remilriscent of Santa Claus.

Page 35 (bottom)The fact that Scrooge cares what happensto Tiny Tina shows there is still some goodin her.

Page 3óIt could be realistic because Scrooge fallsasleep and wakes in he¡ own house, soit is possible she drearnt all the ghostlyevents. Note that ever¡hing that happensto everyone else is entirely realisdc. OnlyScrooge "sees" the ghosts.

Pâge 37Scrooge has learned to value people andhuman relationships instead ofjust money.She has become compassionate. \Vhethershe changed because she felt compassionfor the Cratchits or because she feareddying alone is open to interpretation.

Read-Aloù Plalr: Cltzssic Shot Stories @ 201I by Mack Lervis, Scholasric Teaching Resources