'A Christmas Carol': a comparison of social class
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare how Dickens presents the Christmas celebrations of characters from different social classes.
Key learning points
- Christmas for wealthy Victorians was a time of extravagant parties, feasts and gift giving.
- Poorer people often had to work at Christmas for little money so Christmas was a time of simple, modest celebrations.
- Dickens depicts wealthy Victorians as materialistic and oblivious to the struggles of others.
- Dickens suggests poor people are happier than the wealthy because they are able to appreciate simple pleasures.
- He arguably does this to urge wealthy readers to focus less on wealth and show compassion to those in need.
Keywords
Modest - humble or moderate in amount, size or quality; not extravagant or overly showy
Social class - a division of society based on economic status, wealth, occupation and social standing
Class divide - the gap between different social classes, often marked by inequality in wealth and opportunity
Symbolise - to represent or stand for something, often through a symbol, action or object
Excess - an amount beyond what is necessary or reasonable; overindulgence or surplus
Common misconception
Dickens aims to shame his wealthy readers into showing compassion by demonstrating that poor people cannot enjoy Christmas because of the poverty they are forced to live in.
While Dickens does use the novella to encourage his readers to show compassion, his depictions of poor people do show them enjoying Christmas. In fact, we could argue poorer characters seem happier because they are able to enjoy simple pleasures.
Teacher tip
Task B asks students to write a speech for debate about Dickens' views on the class divide in Victorian England. In order to encourage students' oracy and critical thinking skills, consider allowing time in the lesson to stage this debate.
Equipment
You will need access to two extracts from 'A Christmas Carol'. They are included on the slide deck but you may wish to print copies from the additional materials so students can annotate the text.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the main source of food for poor Victorians?
Q2.What luxury item was often a sign of wealth during Christmas in the Victorian era?
Q3.The Cratchit family in 'A Christmas Carol' represents ...
Q4.The Victorian wealthy class typically lived in ...
Q5.Which of the following best describes imagery?
Q6.What is the theme of a text?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the 'class divide'?
Q2.Which of these is a synonym for modest?
Q3.Which of the following groups does Dickens portray as celebrating Christmas despite poverty in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.Complete this sentence: 'Through 'A Christmas Carol', Dickens implies the rich should focus less on and more on showing compassion to those in need.'
Q5.Complete this sentence about Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol': 'The Christmas shopping scene at the grocer's focuses on .'
Q6.Complete this sentence about 'A Christmas Carol': 'Dickens implies that poorer people are ultimately happier than wealthy people because ...'
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': a comparison of social class, 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': a comparison of social class, 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 critique of Victorian values unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.