'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the significance of the four ghosts’ entrances and exits.
Key learning points
- Each of the ghosts’ entrances is symbolic of the stage Scrooge is at in his transformation.
- The earlier ghosts (Marley’s Ghost and The Ghost of Christmas Past) have to enter Scrooge’s world forcefully.
- The earlier ghosts' forced entrances are necessary because Scrooge wouldn’t help himself - he needs this intervention.
- The later ghosts are sought out by Scrooge, which shows his newfound willingness to learn and be introspective.
- The ghosts’ exits are also very significant - they reflect the purposes and the characters of the ghosts.
Keywords
Rational - If someone is rational, they are sensible and explain things using logic or reason.
Superstitious - Someone superstitious would believe wholeheartedly in the existence of the supernatural.
Purgatory - A mid-ground between heaven and hell, where sinners are sent to repent for their sins.
Intervention - An intervention is action taken to help somebody.
To resolve - If you resolve to do something, you decide to do it.
Common misconception
Pupils think there are only four ghosts in the novella.
Pupils forget about the numerous ghosts that Scrooge sees when he looks out of the window at the end of Stave 1.
Teacher tip
It could be interesting to consider which of the ghosts in the novella are 'real ghosts' (the spirits of dead people) versus which are 'spirit guides' and why this might be. This could be an interesting discussion to facilitate with students.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the four spirits in 'A Christmas Carol' is described as a "jolly green giant"?
Q2.Which ghost doesn't speak to Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.How does Scrooge respond to seeing the ghost of Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.Which of the ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' transform Scrooge's adjoining room into a "grove"?
Q5.In 'A Christmas Carol', which ghost does Scrooge hear approaching before he sees it?
Q6.In 'A Christmas Carol', what does Scrooge see when he follows Marley's Ghost to the window and looks out?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where does Scrooge see the face of Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol' before he encounters him?
Q2.Which strange events occur in the lead up to the entrance of Marley's Ghost in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.Which ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' enter with the blaze of a bright light?
Q4.What does the light that accompanies the Ghost of Christmas Past's entrance in 'A Christmas Carol' represent?
Q5.Match the key vocabulary up to its definition.
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
action taken to help somebody
a synonym for 'decide'
Q6.What is significant about Scrooge going to find the Ghost of Christmas Present in his adjoining room in 'A Christmas Carol'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the A Christmas Carol: a ghost story unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.