The person01–03
01·Who they are
Who is Fezziwig?
Fezziwig is a master who appears in Stave II, seen through Scrooge's memories. He's depicted as sitting behind a desk so high that an extra two inches "must have knocked his head against the ceiling." He wears a Welsh wig and has a "comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice." His laughter resonates "from his shoes to his organ of benevolence." Every detail — the ample waistcoat, his lively leap down from the high desk, and the calves that shine "like moons" during the dance — creates an image of a man whose physical abundance mirrors his emotional generosity.
02·Arc & motivation
What is Fezziwig's arc and motivation?
Fezziwig doesn’t undergo any development in the novel; he remains a fixed memory, unchanging and idealized. His motivation, as the scene illustrates, is simply the joy of bringing happiness to others. He spontaneously declares Christmas Eve a holiday, organizes the party with infectious enthusiasm, and asks for nothing in return. The Ghost of Christmas Past emphasizes his significance: the praise Fezziwig receives costs him only "a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps," suggesting that his true gift lies not in wealth but in the joy he spreads.
03·Key moments
What are Fezziwig's key moments?
- Calling off work (Stave II): Fezziwig puts down his pen, checks the clock, and with a "sharp clap of his hands" announces, "No more work to-night. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer!" — a spontaneous act of generosity that sets the evening in motion.
- Transforming the warehouse (Stave II): With Fezziwig's encouragement, the apprentices clear the floor, turning the warehouse into a space as snug, warm, dry, and bright as a ballroom on a winter's night. This transformation is both physical and symbolic: a place for labor becomes one of joy.
- Dancing "Sir Roger de Coverley" (Stave II): Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig take the floor as the lead couple among "three or four and twenty pair of partners." His lively dancing makes it seem like he "appeared to wink with his legs" as he cuts in and comes down without a stagger — a humorous image that highlights his vitality.
- Bidding goodnight (Stave II): He and Mrs. Fezziwig stand at the door, shaking hands with every guest individually and wishing them all a Merry Christmas — a personal, unhurried gesture of care.
- The Ghost's challenge (Stave II): After Scrooge watches the apprentices praise Fezziwig, the Ghost questions whether a few pounds of mortal money justifies such devotion, turning Fezziwig into a moral benchmark by which Scrooge is measured.
The cast04–05
04·Relationships
What are Fezziwig's most important relationships?
Fezziwig's relationship with the young Scrooge is that of a master who calls his apprentice by name and fully includes him in the household's Christmas celebration. The adult Scrooge's reaction — acting "like a man out of his wits," affirming and enjoying everything — shows how deeply Fezziwig's kindness affected him and how completely it has been buried. The Ghost of Christmas Past uses Fezziwig deliberately: the party is not presented merely for nostalgia but as evidence against Scrooge, and the Ghost's pointed question about the "few pounds" turns Fezziwig into a moral benchmark by which Scrooge is measured and found lacking.
05·Connected characters
How is Fezziwig connected to the other characters?
Study06–07
06·Questions
Questions readers ask about Fezziwig
Who is Fezziwig and when does he appear?
Fezziwig is Scrooge's old boss, appearing only in Stave II when the Ghost of Christmas Past revisits Scrooge's apprenticeship. He is an elderly gentleman with a Welsh wig who operates a warehouse and throws a Christmas Eve party for everyone affiliated with his business.
Why does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge the Fezziwig party?
After the apprentices share their admiration for Fezziwig, the Ghost points out that he spent only "a few pounds of your mortal money" to earn such loyalty. This implies that creating happiness or sadness in others costs far less than Scrooge thinks, directly challenging Scrooge's actions as an employer.
What kind of party does Fezziwig throw?
He clears the warehouse floor, brings in a fiddler, and hosts a lively Christmas ball complete with dancing, cake, negus, cold roast, cold boiled, mince pies, and beer. Guests include Mrs. Fezziwig, their three daughters, young employees, the housemaid, the cook, and neighbors—all welcomed without distinction.
How does Scrooge react to seeing Fezziwig again?
He reacts with immense excitement, exclaiming, "Why, it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart!" Throughout the vision, he behaves "like a man out of his wits," fully engaged and relishing every moment, with his "heart and soul" completely in the scene.
What does Fezziwig's dancing reveal about his character?
His dancing radiates playful energy — a positive light seems to come from Fezziwig's calves, and he moves so skillfully that it looks like he's winking with his legs — portraying a man brimming with vitality and joy, fully engaged in bringing happiness to those around him.
Fezziwig appears in Stave II, when the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to his apprenticeship days.
Fezziwig shows up in a vision from the Ghost of Christmas Past, where Scrooge looks back on his days as a young apprentice.
07·Essay angles
Use this in your essay
Tool · Essay angles
Fezziwig as a model of moral economy: Dickens argues through the Ghost's commentary that generosity isn't measured by money but by the joy one can create
The role of physical comedy: Fezziwig's exaggerated physique