A Christmas Carol, Stave 4 summary
Stave 4 of 5 · 22 min to read the stave
In Stave 4, Ebenezer Scrooge follows a silent spirit through future scenes of an unloved man's death, a relieved debtor's household, and the Cratchits mourning Tiny Tim. When his own gravestone identifies the abandoned dead man, Scrooge begs for a chance to change his life and promises to keep the spirits' lessons.
What happens
- The silent Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come leads Scrooge to businessmen who discuss a death with indifference.
- At old Joe's shop, three people sell belongings stolen from the dead man, including his bed curtains and burial shirt.
- Scrooge sees an unattended corpse, then a family whose anxiety eases because their harsh creditor dies.
- The Cratchits mourn Tiny Tim, and Bob describes the kindness of Scrooge's nephew.
- Scrooge finds another occupant in his office and reads his own name on a neglected gravestone.
- He begs to change the future and promises a different life as the Phantom shrinks into a bedpost.
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In this stave
What to notice
Scrooge asks whether the visions show a fixed fate. His question connects fear of death with the hope that different choices can change its circumstances.
Quick check
What identifies the neglected dead man as Scrooge?
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