The Classics discussion

This is for discussing "The Second of the Three Spirits".

Another little bit I really loved (and I seem to be picking out specific lines to remark on so far, rather than the story itself) was when Scrooge's nephew remarked that "...his offenses carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say against him."

I thought that was a very zen sentiment from him, considering Scrooge's treatment of family... made me like him more, and consider my own responses to rudeness.

I really liked this spirit and the idea that he used his torch to bless and sprinkle the spirit of christmas to everyone. This section of the book, I feel, shows the truest change in Scrooge as the Spirit time and again throws his own words back at him.

I too liked the bit about the torch. What does everyone think of the authorial/narrator's voice? Does it intrude on the story or does it add to it?

Heh, fruiteners. I love when I find new words thanks to Dickens.

My copy has some illustrations interspersed and one includes a game of Snapdragon. This game sounds crazy. The idea is to put raisins into a wide shallow bowl, add brandy and then set the thing on fire. Whomever grabbed the most raisins out of the fire was the winner. If I haven't said it before, I'll say it again. People are crazy!

"Twice-turned gown". I'm assuming this means a hand me down though I'm not sure what 'twice turned' is supposed to mean.

Also, does Tiny Tim have polio? I don't remember him having leg braces in any of the Christmas Carol movies I've seen. At the Cratchett house I love how the two youngest stuff spoons in their mouths to keep from screaming for goose. There was also a "pudding like a speckled cannon ball", heh.

I didn't get the part about "barring the Spirit out" though and wasn't sure how that would be accomplished.

I think experts have decided Tiny Tim probably had rickets, but that's just speculation.