If someone is rational, they are sensible and explain things using logic or reason.

Someone superstitious would believe wholeheartedly in the existence of the supernatural.

A mid-ground between heaven and hell, where sinners are sent to repent for their sins.

An intervention is action taken to help somebody.

If you resolve to do something, you decide to do it.

'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts

English

'A Christmas Carol': a Victorian ghost story

'A Christmas Carol': the novella as a Gothic text

'A Christmas Carol': the ghosts and Dickens' use of allusion

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens' ghosts as agents of time

'A Christmas Carol': constructing an argument about the ghosts

'A Christmas Carol': conceptualised responses

In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils explore the novella in the context of the gothic tradition and in particular examine the characterisation of the ghosts and the gothic settings. In 'A Christmas Carol: A Christian Parable', pupils focus on the Christian foundations of the story and on the use of Christian imagery throughout to gain a more nuanced understanding of the writer's message.

In 'A Christmas Carol: a Gothic Tale', pupils explore the conventions of the Victorian gothic and the ways in which Dickens appropriates this for his tale. In 'A Monster Within', pupils learn about the gothic genre by comparing a series of gothic villains.

In this unit, pupils consider how and why Dickens presents 'A Christmas Carol' as a ghost story. They look at the novella as a gothic text and then the ghosts in detail. They then write a critical response about how Dickens uses the ghosts to deliver his message about social responsibility.

Nineteenth century text: first deep dive

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Where does Scrooge see the face of Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol' before he encounters him?

A disused bell began to swing and then ring out.

Scrooge hears the clanking sound of chains dragging.

Which strange events occur in the lead up to the entrance of Marley's Ghost in 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Which ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' enter with the blaze of a bright light?

What does the light that accompanies the Ghost of Christmas Past's entrance in 'A Christmas Carol' represent?

being sensible and explaining things using logic or reason

someone who believes in the existence of the supernatural

a mid-ground between heaven and hell, where sinners are sent

Match the key vocabulary up to its definition.

It shows how willing to learn Scrooge is.

It shows how resistant to change Scrooge is.

It shows how selfish and impatient Scrooge is.

It shows that he thinks he knows everything now.

It shows how receptive he is to the ghosts' teachings.

What is significant about Scrooge going to find the Ghost of Christmas Present in his adjoining room in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which of the four spirits in 'A Christmas Carol' is described as a "jolly green giant"?

Which ghost doesn't speak to Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?

He is horrified by his friend's appearance.

He is heartbroken to see his friend suffering so much.

He is in disbelief and feels he may be hallucinating.

He is indifferent to the appearance of his friend.

How does Scrooge respond to seeing the ghost of Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which of the ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' transform Scrooge's adjoining room into a "grove"?

In 'A Christmas Carol', which ghost does Scrooge hear approaching before he sees it?

lots of wealthy people taking snuff together

In 'A Christmas Carol', what does Scrooge see when he follows Marley's Ghost to the window and looks out?

'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts

Lesson outcome

Content guidance