Real Stave 3

A Christmas Carol: The Cratchit Family Dinner

• Bob Cratchit describes Tiny Tim as growing strong and hearty, and the family prepares for a festive dinner.
• The family busily prepares for the meal, with the children helping with various tasks and the mother making gravy and the father making a hot mixture with gin and lemons.
• The family eagerly anticipates the arrival of the goose, with great excitement and bustling activity.
• The goose is finally served, and it is praised for its tenderness, flavor, size, and affordability.
• The family enjoys the meal, and Mrs. Cratchit takes the pudding out of the copper, with the family worrying about its doneness and potential theft.
• The pudding, when brought in, is a source of pride and admiration, with Bob Cratchit considering it a great success, although Mrs. Cratchit had earlier doubted the quantity of flour used.
• After the dinner, the family gathers around the hearth, enjoying apples, oranges, and chestnuts, and toasting to a Merry Christmas.
• Scrooge, observing the family, expresses concern for Tiny Tim's health, and the Ghost of Christmas Present indicates that if nothing changes, the child will die.
• Scrooge is deeply affected by the potential fate of Tiny Tim, and the ghost challenges him to consider the value of a human life and the concept of "surplus population."
• The text highlights Scrooge's growing penitence and grief as he comes to terms with his past attitudes and behavior.
• The passage emphasizes the themes of compassion, family, and the value of human life, as Scrooge confronts the consequences of his past actions.
• The scene is a pivotal moment in the story, as it marks Scrooge's transformation and growing empathy towards others.

A Christmas Party with Scrooge's Nephew

• Scrooge's nephew and his wife host a Christmas party with lively conversation and activities.
• The guests express their disdain for Scrooge's stinginess and lack of holiday spirit.
• Despite the guests' criticisms, Scrooge's nephew defends his uncle and expresses pity for him.
• The party includes music, with Scrooge's niece playing the harp and Topper demonstrating his bass singing skills.
• A simple tune played on the harp triggers memories for Scrooge, softening his heart.
• The group plays forfeits and blind-man's buff, with humorous interactions and Topper's apparent pursuit of one of the sisters.
• The behavior of Topper and the plump sister during blind-man's buff is described in detail, with a humorous and lighthearted tone.
• Scrooge's niece, not participating in blind-man's buff, is comfortable in a snug corner with the Ghost and Scrooge nearby.
• The niece joins in the forfeits, displaying affection for her partner using all the letters of the alphabet.
• The text captures the warmth, joy, and camaraderie of the Christmas gathering, contrasting with Scrooge's coldness.
• The party scene serves to contrast the spirit of Christmas with Scrooge's miserly nature, highlighting the theme of redemption and generosity.
• The passage conveys a sense of nostalgia and reflection, with music triggering memories for Scrooge and softening his heart.