'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: The Characterisation of Scrooge
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Dickens introduces Scrooge as a callous and covetous character.
Key learning points
- Dickens uses an extended metaphor to associate Scrooge with the cold
- Scrooge is a solitary character who feels no sense of community or responsibility for others
- Scrooge’s appearance is economic to reflect his miserly nature- nothing about his features is generous
- Scrooge is a callous character who treats those close to him (his nephew and his clerk) with disdain
- Scrooge is uncharitable and harbours great contempt for the poor
Keywords
Covetous - A covetous person has a strong desire for wealth or possessions, often those that belong to other people.
Asyndetic list - An asyndetic list is one which does not contain conjunctions like ‘and’ or ‘or'.
Conservation - Conservation means the preservation of a useful resource.
Contempt - Somebody demonstrating contempt for something would be showing a strong dislike or hatred for it.
Callous - Somebody callous is cruel, harsh and insensitive.
Common misconception
Students think that Scrooge hates Christmas because it marks the anniversary of Marley's death.
Scrooge hates Christmas because he views it as a crime against oneself. He resents that people spend money they don't have at Christmas.
Teacher tip
When analysing Dickens' use of verbs as adjectives, physically show students what 'squeezing, wrenching, grasping etc' looks like. Do the same for 'nipped, straightened, stiffened' to aid their understanding of how these verbs characterise Scrooge.
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 is Bob Cratchit in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.A comparison between two different things that share similar qualities, that uses the words 'like' or 'as' is known as a {{}
Q3.An extended metaphor is...
Q4.'Scrooge's callousness is shown in the way he speaks to his family member, Fred.' What might callousness mean?
Q5.Which of the following could be described as an accusatory pronoun?
Q6.Match the method to the quotation taken from 'A Christmas Carol'.
“You’ll want all day to-morrow, I suppose?”
“you’d think yourself ill-used"
"poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth"
"The clerk smiled faintly."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are aspects of Scrooge's appearance in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.Which of the following similes does Dickens use to describe Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.Which method does Dickens use in the following quotation from 'A Christmas Carol': "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching"?
Q4.What do the verbs 'nipped' and 'shrivelled' suggest about Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.Which of the following is an example of asyndetic list?
Q6.Which of the following is the best explanation for why Scrooge doesn't really want to give Bob Christmas Day off in 'A Christmas Carol'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: The Characterisation of Scrooge, 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' Stave 1: The Characterisation of Scrooge, 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.