'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's redemptive journey
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the significance of Scrooge’s redemptive journey and the impact it continues to have on readers.
Key learning points
- Scrooge’s transformative journey follows that of the ‘redemptive hero’ narrative that we see in many stories.
- The redeemed hero narrative roughly follows the hero, who looks for something they have lost, with the help of a guide.
- Scrooge is presented as a hero who overcomes challenges to become a better person.
- Scrooge is presented as an inspirational figure, whose transformation is intended to be an example to many.
- 'A Christmas Carol' is a timeless classic because its moral message will always apply to an unfair and unequal society.
Keywords
Literary hero - A literary hero is the main character who overcomes challenges.
To redeem - If someone redeems themself, they regain your respect and support.
Inspirational - If someone is inspirational to you, you want to follow their example.
Superstitious - Someone superstitious would believe wholeheartedly in the existence of the supernatural.
Cultural significance - If something is culturally-significant, it bears relevance to the whole population - it is of importance to society.
Common misconception
Students might think that because this is an 'old book', it might not still bear a relevant message.
The novella is a timeless classic because its message is universal. As long as there is injustice in the world, the text remains relevant.
Teacher tip
When talking students through the redeemed hero's story for the first time, choose an example from popular culture that the students can relate to, such as Finding Nemo or Tangled. This will aid their understanding before you apply it to the novella.
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.In Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge is described as "solitary as an ".
Q2.What is Scrooge's attitude towards the poor in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.What does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge in Stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.What does the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come teach Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.What is meant by the term 'supernatural'?
Q6.Through the text 'A Christmas Carol', Dickens promotes values like empathy and charity, and champions the concept of social...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Dickens' preface to 'A Christmas Carol', he states that he wants to 'raise the Ghost of an idea'. What is this idea?
Q2.How did Dickens want his readers to respond to 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.Which of the following is not a step in the story of the redeemed hero?
Q4.Match the key words up to their definitions.
the main character who overcomes challenges
regaining someone's respect and support
somebody or something whose example you want to follow
believing wholeheartedly in the supernatural
something that bears relevance to the whole population
Q5.In 'A Christmas Carol', why does Dickens make Scrooge's transformation so hyperbolic and extreme?
Q6.Think about 'A Christmas Carol', which of the following would be reasonable suggestions for the 'thing' Scrooge has lost that he looks for on his 'redeemed hero' journey?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's redemptive journey, 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's redemptive journey, 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.