If someone is the agent of something, it means that they act on its behalf or represent it.

Something that is fluid does not have a fixed shape or pattern and flows freely.

An extraordinary, unusual or abnormal occurrence.

A privilege is a blessing or an advantage that someone has.

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

English

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

In the beginning of 'A Christmas Carol', how did Scrooge view time?

"A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December!"

"Because you fell in love', growled Scrooge"

"warning all human sympathy to keep its distance"

Select the quotation that best shows us that Scrooge views time as a resource for making money in the beginning of 'A Christmas Carol'.

The 'future' implies that our fate is sealed and unalterable.

The Victorians didn't use the word 'future'.

Dickens felt that 'future' was too positive a word for Scrooge's fate.

In 'A Christmas Carol', why does Dickens call the last spirit the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and not The Ghost of Christmas Future?

someone who acts on its behalf of, or represents something

does not have a fixed shape or pattern - flows freely

an extraordinary, unusual or abnormal occurrence

a blessing or an advantage that someone has

Match the vocabulary up to its definition.

It introduces the idea that time cannot be altered.

It sets us up to understand that time is fluid in the novella.

It challenges our perceptions of time and how it moves.

It foreshadows Scrooge's impressive transformation.

Why is the opening line of the novella 'A Christmas Carol' significant: 'Marley was dead; to begin with.'

that it is a resource with which to make money

that it is a gift that should be used productively

that it is fixed and cannot change or be altered

that it is guaranteed to all of us so should be used appropriately

that lots of positive change can be achieved in relatively little time

What is Dickens' message about time in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which ghost's face appears in Scrooge's door knocker before he encounters it in 'A Christmas Carol'?

"Oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone!"

"Once upon a time—of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve..."

“A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!' cried a cheerful voice"

What is the opening line to the novella 'A Christmas Carol'?

to show him the consequences of greed and avarice

to catch up with his old friend, whom he loved dearly

to warn him that he will be visited by three further ghosts

to reassure him that his future looks bright

to haunt him for being a bad friend and not mourning his death

What is the purpose of Marley's Ghost's visit to Scrooge in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

He was tall, with dark hair and a privilege.

She had grown up on the Upper East side - that was privilege for you!

She was fraught with privilege about how she was going to accomplish the feat.

The house was huge, with great privileges connecting lower and middle floors.

Which sentence uses the word 'privilege' correctly?

What time do the Ghost of Christmas Past and Present both visit Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?

the importance of love and human connections

Match the ghosts up with one of the lessons they teach Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.