Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol: storylines
3 storylines and 15 events, in the order they happen. Follow where the plots fork and come together; hover over or tap an event to see what happens.
- Scrooge's redemptionScrooge rejects Christmas
Scrooge rebuffs his nephew's invitation, begrudges Bob Cratchit's holiday and refuses to aid the poor.
Stave 1 › - Scrooge's redemptionMarley’s ghost appears
The ghost of Jacob Marley visits Scrooge, burdened by the chain he forged through selfishness in life.
Stave 1 › - Scrooge's redemptionMarley warns Scrooge
Marley tells Scrooge that three spirits will visit him and offer him a chance to escape the same fate.
Stave 1 › - Scrooge's redemptionScrooge revisits his childhood
The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his lonely schooldays and his beloved sister Fan taking him home.
Stave 2 › - Scrooge's redemptionFezziwig hosts Christmas
Scrooge watches his generous former employer Fezziwig fill a Christmas party with warmth and happiness.
Stave 2 › - Scrooge's redemptionBelle releases Scrooge
Scrooge relives Belle ending their engagement because his love of money has displaced his love for her.
Stave 2 › - The Cratchit familyCratchits celebrate Christmas
The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the Cratchits joyfully sharing a modest feast while caring for the frail Tiny Tim.
Stave 3 › - Fred's welcomeFred welcomes his guests
Scrooge watches his nephew Fred and his friends enjoy games and laughter without bitterness towards him.
Stave 3 › - Scrooge's redemptionSpirit reveals two children
The Spirit exposes the wretched children Ignorance and Want beneath his robe and warns Scrooge to beware them.
Stave 3 › - Scrooge's redemptionScrooge witnesses cruel indifference
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge businessmen and thieves treating an unnamed man’s death with contempt.
Stave 4 › - The Cratchit familyTiny Tim dies
Scrooge sees the Cratchit family mourning Tiny Tim in a possible future.
Stave 4 › - Scrooge's redemptionScrooge finds his gravestone
Scrooge discovers that the neglected dead man is himself and begs for the chance to change his fate.
Stave 4 › - The Cratchit familyScrooge sends a turkey
Awakening on Christmas morning, Scrooge secretly sends a prize turkey to the Cratchit family.
Stave 5 › - Fred's welcomeScrooge joins Fred’s feast
Scrooge donates generously to charity, greets people warmly and accepts Fred’s Christmas invitation.
Stave 5 › - Scrooge's redemptionScrooge raises Bob’s salary
Scrooge increases Bob Cratchit’s wages, supports his family and becomes a second father to Tiny Tim.
Stave 5 ›