Question

directions: read the excerpt provided at each station and then complete the student tasks listed below on notebook paper to be handed in at the end of class today. station 2 stave ii — ghost of christmas past focus: memory as a tool for transformation younger scrooge lost opportunities emotional contrast between past and present self excerpt: \they walked along the road, scrooge recognising every gate, and post, and tree; until a little market - town appeared in the distance. some shaggy ponies now were seen trotting towards them with boys upon their backs, who called to other boys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers. all these boys were in great spirits, and shouted to each other, until the broad fields were so full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear it! these are but shadows of the things that have been, said the ghost. they have no consciousness of us. the jocund travellers came on; and as they came, scrooge knew and named them every one. why was he rejoiced beyond all bounds to see them? why did his cold eye glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past? why was he filled with gladness when he heard them give each other merry christmas, as they parted at cross - roads and by - ways for their several homes? what was merry christmas to scrooge? out upon merry christmas! what good had it ever do to him? the school is not quite deserted, said the ghost. a solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still. scrooge said he knew it. and he sobbed.\ student tasks: summarize the events of your excerpt. explain what the memory reveals about scrooges younger self. describe one emotion scrooge experiences and why it matters. identify one victorian theme that appears in this scene.

Explanation:

1. Summary: The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge memories of his childhood: joyful boys traveling to a market-town, then reveals the young Scrooge was a neglected, solitary child left at school. Scrooge reacts emotionally, sobbing.
2. Younger Scrooge: The memory reveals he was a lonely, neglected child abandoned by friends, left alone at school during what should be a festive time.
3. Emotion: Sorrow—Scrooge sobs when confronting his neglected childhood, which matters because it breaks his cold exterior, starting his emotional transformation.
4. Victorian Theme: Childhood neglect and its long-term impact, reflecting Victorian concerns about the treatment of vulnerable children.

Answer:

1. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge memories of joyful boys traveling to a market-town and his own neglected childhood as a solitary, friendless child left at school; Scrooge sobs.
2. Younger Scrooge was a neglected, solitary child abandoned by friends and left alone at school.
3. Sorrow—he sobs at his lonely childhood, which begins to melt his coldness and drive transformation.
4. Childhood neglect (a Victorian concern about vulnerable children’s welfare).