A story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

A virtue is a behaviour showing high moral standards.

Somebody with humility has a modest view of their own importance versus other people’s.

To emulate means to copy someone, or something else’s style.

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens as a Christian writer

English

'A Christmas Carol': Marley's Ghost's regret

'A Christmas Carol': Tiny Tim as a pious character

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's fireplace and Dickens' use of allusion

'A Christmas Carol': from dark to light

'A Christmas Carol': charity

'A Christmas Carol': a hopeful tale

In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils apply their understanding of the gothic genre to the text, exploring the reasons why Dickens chose to write this as a ghost story. In 'A Christmas Carol: A Christian Parable',  pupils look at the Christian roots of this tale to gain a more nuanced understanding of Dickens' social and moral purpose in writing the novella.

In this unit, pupils consider whether Dickens presents 'A Christmas Carol' as a Christian parable. They look at Dickens as a Christian writer, Marley's ghost, Tiny Tim and Dickens' use of allusion. They think about charity in the novella and write an essay about whether the novella is hopeful.

Nineteenth century text: second deep dive

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Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Which book in the Bible was Dickens most familiar with and fond of? The {{}} Testament.

He liked to get involved in the politics of religion.

He felt that people should live their lives according to Christian virtues.

He was very keen for his children to adopt the moral of the Old Testament.

He viewed the New Testament as his 'unfailing guide to life'.

He rarely read the Bible, but still considered himself Christian.

Which of the following statements are true of Dickens' religious beliefs? 

Which of the following is not a Christian virtue taught in the New Testament of the Bible? 

A {{}} is a simple story told to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus Christ in the Gospels (in the New Testament of the Bible).

to conceal the truth from those who do not wish to know it

to position himself as a preacher - the son of God

According to Jesus, what are the two purposes of parables found in the the New Testament of the Bible ?

It contains a moral message of social responsibility.

It was written to teach those who do not wish to be taught spiritual truths.

It encourages its readers to abide by the virtues of Christianity.

It is a simple story with an isolated and egocentric protagonist.

In what way could 'A Christmas Carol' be considered a Christian parable?

In which stave does the Ghost of Christmas Present visit Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Complete the quotation from 'A Christmas Carol': "We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when {{ }} is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices."

the dissolution of his engagement to Belle

his relationship with his former employer, Fezziwig

the death of his business partner Jacob Marley

What does the Ghost of Christmas Past not show Scrooge in Stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

"like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man"

"clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle"

"folded kerchief bound about its head and chin"

Match the quotations from 'A Christmas Carol' to the ghost they are describing.

the importance of social status and class

Through the novella 'A Christmas Carol', what is Dickens' didactic message?

Starter Quiz