Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Literature Part 28

1. Gluck paid Schwartz's fine.

2. Schwartz refused water to the child, the old man, and to the spirit of Hans.

3. He was also changed to a Black Stone.

What were the indications that Schwartz would be unsuccessful? There was a "black cloud rising out of the West"; "a mist of the colour of blood"; "waves of the angry sea"; "bursts of spiry lightning"; "the sky was like ... a lake of blood"; "its waves were black, like thunderclouds"; "their foam was like fire"; "the lightning glared into his eyes".

CHAPTER V

What is the theme in the last chapter? Gluck's attempt to turn the river into gold.

Give the main incidents.

1. The priest gave him holy water.

2. He gave water to the aged man and the child.

3. He gave his last drop of water to the dying dog.

4. The dog was transformed into the King of the Golden River.

5. He gave Gluck three drops of dew.

6. Gluck cast the water into the river.

7. Treasure Valley again became a fertile garden, and Gluck became very rich.

What were the indications that Gluck would be successful? After giving the old man some water, the "path became easier"; "gra.s.shoppers began singing"; there was "bright green moss"; "pale pink starry flowers"; "soft belled gentians"; "pure white transparent lilies"; "its waves were as clear as crystal".

What strong contrast is brought out in this story? There is a contrast between this chapter and the two preceding ones. Gluck's conduct is so different from that of Schwartz and Hans; and the aspect of nature, as it appears to him, is very different from the scenes viewed by his brothers.

Describe Treasure Valley after it was changed.

The "fresh gra.s.s sprang beside the new streams"; "creeping plants grew"; "young flowers opened"; "thickets of myrtle and tendrils of vine cast lengthening shadows"; "his barns became full of corn and his house of treasure".

Why did Gluck deserve so much kindness? He had been hospitable to South-West Wind, Esq.; had suffered hunger and punishment on his account; had been industrious; had freed the King of the Golden River from his enchantment; had obeyed his instructions; had felt sorry for Hans; had paid Schwartz's fine; and had shown mercy to animals and helpless people.

Was there anything said about the two older brothers? Yes, there are two black stones, which people still call "The Black Brothers", at the top of the cataract. This story tells how these stones came to be there.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

(Fourth Reader, page 39)

The pupils have read _Scrooge's Christmas_, in the Fourth Reader. They have also read the synopsis of _A Christmas Carol_ at the beginning of the lesson. If they have read the first four _staves_ of the carol in a general way, they will be in a better position to study intensively the last stave, or chapter, which is the lesson in the Reader. They will understand the causes that have changed this "covetous old sinner" to the man "who knew how to keep Christmas Day well". This lesson should be taken up near Christmas. The pupils will discuss Stave I, after having read it at home.

Stave I

What is the t.i.tle of this work? A Christmas Carol.

Why is it called a carol? In England, it is the custom for bands of singers, called "waits", to go from house to house on Christmas Eve. The author calls this ghost story of Christmas a carol in prose, for it pictures the joys and sorrows of this season.

What does a stave mean? It keeps up the idea of a carol. Each chapter is called a stave, or stanza of the carol.

What is the t.i.tle of the first stave? "Marley's Ghost."

Who was Marley? He had been Scrooge's partner, but was now dead. He had been as miserly as Scrooge himself.

Where is the scene laid? In London.

When? On Christmas Eve.

Describe Scrooge. "Oh but he was a tight-fisted hand ... one degree at Christmas". (See Stave I of _A Christmas Carol_.)

Notice the wonderful acc.u.mulation of strong adjectives and phrases in this description. Why does the author use so many? He wishes to emphasize the cold miserliness of this man.

What is the first incident? Scrooge's treatment of his nephew, who has invited him to dinner on Christmas Day.

What does this incident show? His churlishness, and his contempt for those who spend money freely.

What is the next incident? His refusal to subscribe to any charities in the city.

What comes next? The account of his treatment of Bob Cratchit.

What does this show? His meanness and tyranny.

When he returns from his supper, what does he encounter? Marley's Ghost.

What does the ghost tell him? How it must wander through the world without rest, in atonement for Marley's cruelties and his neglect of other people. It laments his misspent life.

What does it promise to do to Scrooge? It promises to send him "Three Spirits".

What good description is found in Stave I?

Besides the character sketch of Scrooge, there is a picture of Christmas Eve in the London streets, in the paragraph beginning "Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened".

Stave II

What is described in this chapter? The visit of the first spirit.

What was it? The "Ghost of Christmas Past".

Read me a description of it. "It was a strange figure ... like a child ... which it held under its arm".

What does the spirit do? It forces Scrooge to accompany it and shows him former Christmas scenes in his life.

What are these scenes? Scrooge as a solitary boy at school; his boyhood stories, _Ali Baba_ and _Robinson Crusoe_; his sister; Fezziwig's ball; Scrooge's sweetheart; scenes in her married life.

What is the mood of these different scenes?

There is humour, and a great deal of fun, as well as some pathos. It is all told in a lively style.

What are the best descriptions? Fezziwig's ball, and the remembrance of the scenes in _Ali Baba_.

Stave III

What is told in this chapter? The visit of the second spirit.

Who was it? The "Spirit of Christmas Present".