Symbolism is where the writer uses an object or image to represent an idea.

If someone redeems themself, they regain your respect and support.

If someone is transformed, they have drastically changed (usually for the better).

A moral awakening is the discovery of a new sense of moral responsibility.

'A Christmas Carol': symbolism in the novella

English

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: Scrooge the Miser

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: The Characterisation of Scrooge

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: Meeting Marley's ghost

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character

'A Christmas Carol': planning an essay on Scrooge

'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 1

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: the first of the three spirits

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: Scrooge's childhood and Fezziwig

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: Belle

'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 2

'A Christmas Carol': improving analytical writing

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the second of the three spirits

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Christmas around the world

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the Cratchits' Christmas

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Scrooge and Fred as opposite characters

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Ignorance and Want

'A Christmas Carol': writing about the presentation of children

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: the last of the three spirits

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: death in the novella

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: Scrooge's fears

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 5: the change in Scrooge

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's redemptive journey

'A Christmas Carol': planning an extended argument

'A Christmas Carol': writing an extended argument

In 'A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's redemption, pupils trace the way Scrooge changes across the text as a result of his interaction with the ghosts. In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils  examine the use of gothic tropes in more detail and in particular the use of the supernatural and the ghosts, which allow the past to interrupt the present and even future.

In 'Victorian Childhood', pupils read a number of non fiction extracts about the suffering of poor children and campaign for better laws to protect them as part of a persuasive speaking role play. In 'A Christmas Carol', pupils learn about Dickens as a social campaigner and the way in which he wrote the novella to encourage people to help the poor.

In this unit, pupils read and explore 'A Christmas Carol'. They start by reading the novella in full, pausing during each stave to analyse key scenes, characters, themes and methods. After reading the novella, pupils chart Scrooge's redemptive journey and craft an essay on the presentation of fear.

Nineteenth century text: first study

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

What method does Dickens use in this quotation from 'A Christmas Carol': "…whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge"?

What does the fog in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol' symbolise? 

To use an object or image to represent an idea.

To discover a new sense of moral responsibility.

Which of the following definitions means 'to redeem'?

What do bells represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Carols are widely-known, so Dickens hoped he would become famous.

Carols are sung far and wide, Dickens hoped his message would be passed around.

Carols bring cheer and joy to people, so Dickens hoped to make people happy.

Carols unite people, so Dickens aimed to unite society through the novella.

What is the significance of the novella's name: 'A Christmas Carol'?

Scrooge cannot stand children, so he therefore hates the caroller boy.

Music symbolises equality and unity. In rejecting the boy Scrooge rejects unity.

Music symbolises poverty. Scrooge scares the boy because he hates poor people.

Scrooge cannot stand singing because it reminds him of his childhood.

Scrooge though the boy was a poor singer and so rejects his carol.

Why did Scrooge intimidate the caroller boy in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

Who visits Scrooge in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Match the correct stave to the ghost who visits Scrooge in that stave of 'A Christmas Carol'.

What is the weather like in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

What announces the entrance of Marley's Ghost in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

Lots of people were too tired to dance after a long day's work.

Two fiddlers played jolly music for the guests.

There was lots of dancing and festive cheer.

Which of the following statements is true of Fezziwig's party in stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

Using two or more words that all begin with the same letter.

Using elements from the beginning of a text again at the end.

Comparing two things that are the not the same using 'like' or 'as'.

Using an object or 'thing' to represent an abstract idea or concept.

Using words that sound like the sounds they make, e.g. boom.

Starter Quiz

Who visits Scrooge in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?