Body Biography: Ebenezer Scrooge: A Changed Man?

Characters are an important part of every book. To properly understand a character, we

sometimes have to dig a little deeper. In this activity you will be using A Christmas Carol,

your writing skills, and your creativity to create a before and after body biography of

Ebenezer Scrooge.

Part I: The Drawing

1. You will be drawing two body biographies. They will both be of Ebenezer Scrooge.

The first will be Scrooge before his visit from the ghosts of Christmas past. The

second will be of Scrooge after he has changed. Using your art supplies, draw the

outline of the two bodies.

2. You will then analyze the character of Scrooge (before and after the visitation).

Think about the best way to represent the following aspects of the character

symbolically:

a. The Heart: Where should it be placed to best represent what this

character loves most? What should it look like and what shape, color,

pictures, or symbols should be included in it?

b. The Backbone: This should be represented in a way that visually conveys

what motivates the character most. What makes this character strong or

what drives this character?

c. The Hands: What does the character hold in his or her hands? Items that

are associated with the character either literally or figuratively should be

included.

d. The Feet: On what is the character standing? This should be a symbolic

representation of the character’s most fundamental beliefs about life.

e. The Background: Draw some elements that suggest the character’s

environment, background, or predicament.

f. Quotations: Near the character’s head, place a minimum of 3 direct

quotations or passages from the text that sum up the character and add to

an understanding of the character.

Part II: The Written Explanation

Using proper grammar, mechanics, and spelling, you will compare and contrast your

two body biographies. Explain why you included the elements and quotes that you

used in each picture. Write about how the elements changed from the before body

biography of Ebenezer Scrooge and the after.

Example of a Body Biography:

Example of a Body Biography Written Narrative:

Body Biography-Deza Malone

Deza Malone is a minor character in Bud, Not Buddy, but she embodies what Bud is looking for.

She belongs to a family that recognizes the importance of being together and loving one another. Bud

meets Deza in the Hooverville just outside of Flint. They meet when Bud and Bugs are asked to help out

with the dishes in exchange for a meal. Bud and Deza have a short conversation in which the two

discuss family and the importance of having one. Their brief exchange ends with Bud’s first kiss. There

is lots of symbolism in my pictoral representation of Deza.

Background: For the background I drew the Hooverville outside of Flint. The residents lived in tents and

cooked over campfires. I included the trees and the river that Deza and Bud use to wash dishes. I also

included a train since it had such importance to that portion of the story. Deza’s father was going to

catch a train out west to find work. Bugs and Bud were intent on catching a train also.

Heart: For Deza’s heart, I drew her parents. From her brief section in the story, one can tell that family

is the most important thing to Deza.

Backbone: Deza’s backbone is her family. They are what give her strength. They are also the people

who taught her the important things in life.

Hands: In Deza’s hands I drew the soap powder and dishes that she washed in the river during her

conversation with Bud. They were a central part of her storyline so I felt it was important for her to

have them in her hands.

Feet: Deza is originally from Pennsylvania, but home is where the heart is. Her heart belongs to her

parents and they currently live in Michigan, so I placed her standing atop the state of Michigan.

Quotations: The quotes I chose to include in my body biography encompass the important things in her

life. Two concern her parents’ views on family. The third represents how she comes to meet Bud and

Bugs.