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'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: the last of the three spirits

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can understand the role of the last spirit and its impact on Scrooge’s change.

Key learning points

  1. In Stave 4, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, who shows Scrooge the shadows of things that "may be"
  2. Dickens refers to this ghost as a "phantom" rather than a spirit, characterising it as distinct from the others
  3. Dickens' description of the phantom's "draped and hooded" appearance is reminiscent of the Grim Reaper
  4. The phantom forces Scrooge to interpret the visions for himself and understand independently how he can change his fate
  5. Dickens places the responsibility to change on the individual, highlighting the impact of one person’s actions on others

Keywords

  • Repentance - Someone showing repentance would be demonstrating their regret or their remorse for something they have done.

  • Abhorrent - Something abhorrent would make you feel horrified, disgusted or appalled.

  • To evaluate - If you evaluate a problem, you consider all the possible ideas or answers before deciding its significance or quality.

  • Introspection - Engaging in introspection means examining your own thoughts and behaviours.

  • Spiritual judgement - Spiritual judgement is the idea that, when a person dies, they will be judged on their actions in life and either punished or rewarded.

Common misconception

Students believe that the ghost shows Scrooge his future and that this will be Scrooge's fate.

The ghost shows Scrooge the "shadows of things that may be". The word "may" is vital, as he suggests that it is never too late to change.

Teacher tip

For task B in learning cycle two, to extend students' thinking, once students have seen the answers for 'Scrooge's fears', get them to rank the fears from 'most feared' to 'least feared' to evaluate the success of the final ghost's visit.

Equipment

You will need a copy of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol', what changes did we see in Scrooge?

Correct answer: He became more empathetic towards Bob, his clerk.
He became more determined to hoard his wealth.
He donated to charity, showing his new selflessness.
Correct answer: He began to understand the value of family.
He promised he would become a better person.

Q2.
In 'A Christmas Carol', what description did Dickens give us of the final ghost at the end of Stave 3?

"Clad in black, a faceless shadow of the future."
"Moving like fog, creeping towards Scrooge menacingly."
"Like a skeleton, advancing slowly in his direction."
Correct answer: "Draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him."

Q3.
Which gesture can be representative of guidance and enlightenment?

Waving.
Thumbs up.
Correct answer: Pointing.
Hands clasped.

Q4.
What might the word 'abhorrent' mean?

Delightful and lovely.
Kind and empathetic.
Correct answer: Horrifying and appalling.
Miserable and lonely.
Gentle and placid.

Q5.
What does Scrooge represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?

The immoral criminal classes.
The extraordinarily-wealthy aristocrats.
The impoverished lower classes.
Correct answer: The wealthy middle-upper classes.

Q6.
In 'A Christmas Carol', what is Dickens criticising?

The lack of money in Victorian society.
Correct answer: The lack of support for the poor in Victorian society.
Correct answer: The wilful ignorance of the upper-middle classes to the poor.
The lack of resources to sustain a growing population.
the abundance of charity in Victorian society

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the fourth spirit to visit Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?

The Ghost of Christmas Past.
The Ghost of Christmas Present.
Correct answer: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Marley's Ghost.

Q2.
Which of the following does not form part of Dickens' description of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come's appearance in Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

A black robe.
Faceless.
One outstretched hand.
Silent.
Correct answer: Carries a scythe or staff.

Q3.
Unlike the other ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol', Dickens refers to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as a...

Correct Answer: phantom, Phantom, phantom., Phantom.

Q4.
Which of the following words means "to demonstrate regret or their remorse for one's actions"?

Evaluation.
Judgement.
Correct answer: Repentance.
Relent.
Introspection.

Q5.
Why does Dickens choose to make the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come silent? in Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

To show that the Ghost has no words to describe how Scrooge has behaved.
To show its antisocial nature that reflects Scrooge's in Stave 1.
Correct answer: To force Scrooge to interpret the scenes for himself and learn his own lesson.
Correct answer: To make the ghost appear more terrifying to Scrooge and the reader.
To suggest that people should remain silent about the suffering of others.

Q6.
Starting with the first, put the events of Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol' in chronological order.

1 - Scrooge sees some businessmen discussing a significant death very callously.
2 - Mrs Dilber bargains with three people about the price of stolen possessions.
3 - Scrooge is shown the neglected body of a deceased man, and is horrified.
4 - Scrooge sees a young couple relieved by the death of someone they owed money to.
5 - Scrooge sees the Cratchits struggling to cope with the death of Tiny Tim.
6 - Scrooge yearns to know the identity of the dead man with no mourners.
7 - Scrooge reads his own name upon the neglected gravestone and weeps.

To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: the last of the three spirits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...