'A Christmas Carol': symbolism in the novella
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand how Dickens uses symbolism to reflect Scrooge’s journey of redemption.
Key learning points
- Dickens uses the weather throughout the text to symbolise Scrooge’s redemption.
- The fog in Stave 1 symbolises Scrooge’s wilful ignorance to the suffering of others.
- Dickens uses bells in the novella to symbolise judgement and as a call to moral awakening.
- Dickens uses music throughout the novella to symbolise unity and equality .
- The novella’s title is symbolic of Dickens’ hope for his message to be passed down from generation to generation.
Keywords
Symbolism - Symbolism is where the writer uses an object or image to represent an idea.
To redeem - If someone redeems themself, they regain your respect and support.
Transformed - If someone is transformed, they have drastically changed (usually for the better).
Moral awakening - A moral awakening is the discovery of a new sense of moral responsibility.
Unity - Unity is the state of being together.
Common misconception
Students think the novella's title was chosen simply to reflect the festive period it covers.
The title is more symbolic of Dickens' intentions - he intended for the message from this text to be spread far and wide, much like a carol.
Teacher tip
This whole lesson could be mapped onto one big timeline of the text. Students could map the symbols in three different colours across the timeline to show how each symbol reappears and how they interact with one another throughout the text.
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.Who visits Scrooge in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.Match the correct stave to the ghost who visits Scrooge in that stave of 'A Christmas Carol'.
Marley's ghost
The Ghost of Christmas Past
The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Q3.What is the weather like in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.What announces the entrance of Marley's Ghost in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.Which of the following statements is true of Fezziwig's party in stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q6.What is symbolism?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What method does Dickens use in this quotation from 'A Christmas Carol': "…whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge"?
Q2.What does the fog in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol' symbolise?
Q3.Which of the following definitions means 'to redeem'?
Q4.What do bells represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.What is the significance of the novella's name: 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q6.Why did Scrooge intimidate the caroller boy in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': symbolism in the novella, 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': symbolism in the novella, 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.