'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use context to explain the characterisation of Scrooge as a misanthropic character.
Key learning points
- Thomas Malthus was an economist who raised concerns about the sustainability of the growing Victorian population.
- Dickens fundamentally disagreed with the dismissive and callous attitudes of the wealthy towards the poor.
- Scrooge is an embodiment (and criticism) of the Malthusian ideology that pervaded Victorian society.
- The Poor Law in 1834 reduced the amount of individual charity the wealthy were willing to contribute.
- Scrooge exemplifies the quintessential misanthropic Victorian employer in his treatment of Bob Cratchit.
Keywords
Malthusian - The word ‘Malthusian’ refers to the ideas of an economist called Thomas Malthus who influences Victorian attitudes towards poverty.
Embody - To embody means to be the perfect example of - to exemplify something.
Ideology - An ideology is a system of beliefs or values.
Philanthropist - A philanthropist promotes the welfare of others, often by giving money to charity or campaigning for equality.
Misanthropist - A misanthropist is someone who views the human race distinctly negatively. They harbour a dislike or hatred for other people.
Common misconception
Students think Scrooge is just a wicked character who hates other people, especially the poor.
Scrooge is a product of his environment and exemplifies the attitudes of many Victorian employers and wealthy citizens.
Teacher tip
Use the discussion tasks as a springboard for conversations about individual versus social responsibility and how these issues might still be relevant to today's society.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When was the Victorian era?
Q2.Where were poor people legally expected to go if they were fit to work in the Victorian era?
Q3.What is the business Scrooge owns in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.What does fire symbolise in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.What is the definition of 'ideology'?
Q6.What does Marley say will happen to Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol' if he does not change his miserly ways?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name given to someone who thinks negatively about the human race and harbours a mistrust and dislike of other people?
Q2. was a Victorian economist who argued that population growth would create a shortage of food because the country couldn’t manufacture enough to keep up with the growing demand.
Q3.How were Victorian workhouses funded?
Q4.Which of the following were beliefs of Malthus?
Q5.In which sentences is the word 'embody' used correctly?
Q6.Match the quote said by Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol' up to the Malthusian belief that it exemplifies.
"decrease the surplus population"
"it's not my business"
"I can't afford to make idle people merry"
"the Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour then?"
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character, 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: Scrooge's redemption unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.