having a lot of wealth or money; rich or prosperous

a person who hoards wealth and is reluctant to spend it

the act of giving money or resources to help others or support causes

sympathy and concern for the suffering or misfortune of others, often with a desire to help

a group of words related in meaning and used in a certain context (e.g. emotions = happy, sad, angry)

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens’ depictions of wealth and status

English

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens’ depictions of Victorian London

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens’ depictions of poverty and suffering

'A Christmas Carol': a comparison of social class

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens’ depictions of Victorian values

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens’ critique of Victorian institutions

Writing an extended response on 'A Christmas Carol'

In this unit, pupils explore Dickens’ use of religious ideas in order to explore themes of charity and morality, considering how he encourages Christian readers to show compassion to the poor.

In this unit, pupils explore how Dickens presents 'A Christmas Carol' as a critique of dominant Victorian values. They first look at how he presents Victorian London, before looking at how he depicts poverty, suffering, wealth and status. They then look at what Dickens is critiquing in the novella.

Nineteenth century text: third deep dive

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

a person who hoards wealth and spends as little as possible

Which of these these is an antonym (opposite word) for 'miser'?

were required by law to donate to charity.

enjoyed lavish lifestyles and foreign holidays.

didn't have to worry about their social reputation.

Consider the context of 'A Christmas Carol' and the time it was written. Wealthy Victorians ...

Which of the following are examples of wealthy characters from 'A Christmas Carol'?

"No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle"

"spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice"

Which of these quotes from 'A Christmas Carol' imply Scrooge lives an empty and lonely life?

"an old gentleman in a Welsh wig, sitting behind such a high desk"

"Old Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock"

"He rubbed his hands; adjusted his capacious waistcoat; laughed all over"

He "called out in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice"

Which of these quotes presents Fezziwig as a jolly, lively person in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which character in 'A Christmas Carol' best represents the wealthy, miserly class in Victorian society?

In 'A Christmas Carol', what does Dickens use the Cratchit family to represent in Victorian society?

the division between the rich and the poor

What Victorian social issue is highlighted through Scrooge's transformation in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, his business partner.

Scrooge returns to his past and watches Fezziwig throwing a Christmas party.

Scrooge watches the Cratchits celebrating Christmas.

Scrooge sees his own name on a gravestone.

Scrooge buys the Cratchit family a turkey.

Starting with the first, put each of these events from 'A Christmas Carol' in chronological order.

What is the name of Scrooge's former employer in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which of these words would you use to describe Scrooge at the start of 'A Christmas Carol'?

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens’ depictions of wealth and status

Lesson outcome

Content guidance