Who’s who in A Christmas Carol, the 1843 novel by Charles Dickens, with a guide to every character in our retelling for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.
A Christmas Carol is the story of one very grumpy man and the people who help him find his heart. At the center is Ebenezer Scrooge, a lonely moneylender who thinks Christmas is nonsense. Around him are the people who show what he is missing: his patient clerk Bob Cratchit, Bob’s brave son Tiny Tim, and Scrooge’s warm-hearted nephew Fred.
On Christmas Eve, a ghost and three spirits visit Scrooge. His late partner Jacob Marley comes first to warn him, then the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come take him on a journey through time. The ghosts are a little spooky, but each one is there to help, and the story ends with kindness and joy. Parents can use these guides to introduce each character before reading aloud.
A grumpy miser • Needs a warm heart
Ebenezer Scrooge is a grumpy, penny-pinching old man who counts his money in a cold, dark office and says “Bah! Humbug!” to Christmas. One Christmas Eve, the ghost of his old partner Marley and three spirits take him on a journey through his past, present and future. Scrooge discovers how good it feels to be kind and wakes up a joyful, generous new man.
Full character guide
Scrooge’s clerk • Gentle and loving
Bob Cratchit is Scrooge’s clerk, who copies letters by hand in a freezing little room warmed by just one coal. He works long hours for very little money, yet he never grumbles. At home, Bob is a loving father who carries Tiny Tim on his shoulders and raises a cheerful toast to his family at Christmas dinner.
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Scrooge’s nephew • Full of Christmas cheer
Fred is Scrooge’s cheerful nephew, with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and a laugh that fills the room. Every year he invites his grumpy uncle to Christmas dinner, and every year Scrooge refuses. Fred never stops trying, never gets angry, and even raises a toast to his uncle’s health at his own party. In the end, his kindness pays off.
Full character guide
Scrooge’s partner • A wandering spirit
Jacob Marley was Scrooge’s business partner, and he has been gone for seven years when the story begins. On Christmas Eve he returns as a see-through ghost wrapped in heavy chains made of cash boxes, keys and money purses. Marley explains that his greedy choices made those chains, and he comes to warn his old friend that three spirits will visit.
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First spirit • Bright and gentle
The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first spirit to visit Scrooge. It looks like a child but has the wise face of an old man, wears a white tunic trimmed with summer flowers, and has a bright beam of light shining from its head. Gently but firmly, it takes Scrooge back to see his lonely school days, his sister Fan, kind old Fezziwig and his first love, Belle.
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Second spirit • A jolly giant
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a laughing giant in a green fur robe, with a holly crown and a glowing torch shaped like a horn. He fills Scrooge’s room with a feast, then shows him how people are celebrating Christmas right now, from busy London streets to the Cratchits’ cozy kitchen and Fred’s merry party. He cares most of all about people who are poor.
Full character guide
Bob’s sweet boy • Brave and loving
Tiny Tim is Bob Cratchit’s youngest son. He is small and frail, wears iron braces on his thin legs and walks with a little wooden crutch, yet his face always glows with a brave, sweet smile. Tim loves his family dearly and is thankful for every small joy. Seeing Tim is one of the things that helps Scrooge’s cold heart begin to melt.
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Third spirit • Silent and mysterious
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the last and most mysterious spirit, a tall figure in a heavy black robe with a deep hood that hides its face. It never says a single word and only points with one pale hand. It shows Scrooge what the future may hold if he does not change, and that helps Scrooge choose to become a kinder man.
Full character guide