A Christmas Carol: Study Guide - The Second of the Three Spirits
This guide covers Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, specifically focusing on “The Second of the Three Spirits” chapter.
Themes / Big Ideas
Social Inequality & Poverty: This chapter directly confronts the harsh realities of Victorian England, showcasing the suffering of the poor and the indifference of those with wealth. The depiction of Ignorance and Want highlights the systemic issues contributing to hardship.
Compassion & Empathy: The Ghost of Christmas Present forces Scrooge to witness the lives of others, challenging his self-centered worldview and prompting him to feel empathy for those less fortunate.
The Spirit of Christmas: The chapter embodies the joy, generosity, and communal spirit associated with Christmas. It contrasts this ideal with Scrooge’s past cynicism.
Personal Responsibility: While acknowledging societal problems, the chapter also subtly suggests that individuals have a responsibility to alleviate suffering.
The Future & Consequences: The warning about Ignorance foreshadows potential future tragedies if societal issues are not addressed.
Redemption & Transformation: The chapter is pivotal in Scrooge’s journey towards redemption, as he begins to experience a shift in his perspective.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition |
|---------------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Prodigiously | Adverb | Extremely; remarkably |
| Occasion | Noun | A particular time or event |
| Nick | Noun | The opportune moment; the right time |
| Intervention | Noun | The act of interfering to prevent or alter a course of events |
| Spectre | Noun | A ghost; an apparition |
| Free-and-easy | Adjective | Relaxed and informal; not constrained by rules or conventions |
| Capacity | Noun | The ability to hold, receive, or contain |
| Comprehensive | Adjective | Including a wide range of things; thorough |
| Venture | Verb | To dare to do something risky or uncertain |
| Hardy | Adjective | Courageous; brave |
| Predicament | Noun | A difficult, unpleasant, or awkward situation |
| Blaze | Noun | A bright and intense light; a strong glow |
| Ruddy | Adjective | Having a healthy red color |
| Alarming | Adjective | Causing fear or anxiety |
| Spontaneous | Adjective | Occurring naturally and without planning |
| Combustion | Noun | The process of burning |
| Grove | Noun | A small wood or group of trees |
| Capacious | Adjective | Having a large capacity; roomy |
| Warded | Verb | Protected or guarded |
| Genial | Adjective | Friendly and cheerful |
| Antique | Adjective | Old and valuable; having historical interest |
| Scabbard | Noun | A sheath for a sword or knife |
| Ubiquitous | Adjective | Present, appearing, or found everywhere |
| Brusque | Adjective | Abrupt and short in manner; curt |
| Dingy | Adjective | Dirty or dull in color |
| Apoplectic | Adjective | Extremely angry; enraged |
| Opulence | Noun | Great wealth or luxury |
| Lushious | Adjective | Luxuriously appealing; rich and abundant |
| Immense | Adjective | Extremely large or great |
| Seething | Verb | Boiling vigorously; bubbling |
| Timidly | Adverb | In a shy or hesitant manner |
| Reverently | Adverb | With deep respect and awe |
| Mantle | Noun | A cloak or covering |
| Bordered | Verb | Having an edge or boundary of something |
| Capaciously | Adverb | In a large capacity; roomily |
| Disdaining | Verb | Showing contempt or lack of respect |
| Artifice | Noun | Clever or cunning skill; trickery |
| Facetious | Adjective | Treating serious issues lightly; humorous |
| Raucous | Adjective | Loud and harsh; boisterous |
| Keen | Adjective | Sharp or perceptive |
| Blithe | Adjective | Showing a casual and cheerful indifference; carefree |
| Vigor | Noun | Physical strength and good health |
| Abject | Adjective | Extremely wretched; miserable |
| Prostrate | Adjective | Lying stretched out on the ground; humbled |
| Perversion | Noun | The alteration of something from its original course or state |
| Monstrous | Adjective | Extremely ugly or frightening |
| Appalled | Verb | Greatly dismayed or horrified |
| Slander | Verb | Make false and defamatory statements about someone |
| Factionous | Adjective | Relating to or characterized by political rivalry and discord |
| Refuge | Noun | A place of safety or shelter |
| Workhouse | Noun | An institution where poor people were employed, often in harsh conditions |
| Hooded | Adjective | Covered with a hood |
| Cavern | Noun | A large cave or underground chamber |
| Menagerie | Noun | A collection of wild animals kept in captivity |
| Forfeits | Noun | A penalty for a minor offense, typically involving the loss of an object |
| Inaudible | Adjective | Not able to be heard |
| Imperceptibly | Adverb | So gradually as not to be noticed |
| Tickled | Verb | Amused or delighted |
| Inexpressibly | Adverb | Too great to be expressed in words |
| Credulity | Noun | The quality of being trusting and believing too readily |
| Execrable | Adjective | Extremely bad or unpleasant |
Quotes to Look For
“There was no doubt about that.” (Chapter opening – establishes Scrooge’s awareness)
“He was ready for a good broad field of strange appearances.” (Shows Scrooge’s initial bravado)
“It was his own room. But it had undergone a surprising transformation.” (Highlights the Spirit’s power and the change in atmosphere)
“Come in!” exclaimed the Ghost. “Come in! and know me better, man!” (The Spirit’s invitation to connection)
“I am the Ghost of Christmas Present.” (The Spirit’s self-identification)
“Have never walked forth with the younger members of my family; meaning (for I am very young) my elder brothers born in these later years?” (Introduces the concept of many Spirits representing Christmas Present)
“More than eighteen hundred,” said the Ghost. (Emphasizes the scale of poverty and need)
“Touch my robe!” (The catalyst for Scrooge’s journey through London)
“There is a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle from your torch?” / “There is. My own.” (Reveals the Spirit’s benevolent influence)
“To any kindly given. To a poor one most.” (Highlights the importance of compassion for those in need)
“I seek to cramp these people’s opportunities of innocent enjoyment.” (Scrooge misinterprets the Spirit's purpose)
“I seek!” exclaimed the Spirit. (The Spirit’s firm denial of hindering joy)
“There are some upon this earth of yours… who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds… in our name.” (Addresses the hypocrisy of those claiming to act on Christmas principles)
“Spirit,” said Scrooge, “tell me if Tiny Tim will live.” (Scrooge’s growing concern for Bob Cratchit's son)
“I see a vacant seat… and a crutch without an owner.” (Foreshadows Tiny Tim’s potential fate)
“If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race will find him here.” (Emphasizes the power of change)
“Oh, Man! look here. Look, look, down here!” (The Spirit’s plea to acknowledge Ignorance and Want)
“This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want.” (Introduces the symbolic representations of societal problems)
“Beware them both, and all of their degree…” (A warning about the consequences of neglecting the poor)
“Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” (A rhetorical question highlighting the inadequacy of existing solutions)
“Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse.” (A plea to not dismiss the reality of suffering)
“A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!” (The nephew’s continued goodwill towards Scrooge)
This study guide should help you analyze the key themes, vocabulary, and important moments within “The Second of the Three Spirits” chapter. Remember to consider how Dickens uses language and imagery to create a powerful emotional impact on the reader.