'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Scrooge and Fred as opposite characters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Dickens presents Fred as the antithesis of Scrooge.
Key learning points
- Dickens uses colour symbolism and extended metaphors to characterise Scrooge and Fred as opposite characters.
- Scrooge is likened to the cold, whereas Fred is described as ‘ruddy’, ‘handsome’ and warm.
- Fred exemplifies Christmas spirit, empathy and goodwill.
- Through showing us Scrooge through the eyes of Fred, we learn the importance of humour and empathy.
- Seeing Fred's Christmas party causes Scrooge to 'soften', showing his moral progress.
Keywords
Antithesis - The antithesis of something is the direct opposite of it.
Opposing - If two people hold opposing views on something, they have totally different opinions.
Colour symbolism - Colour symbolism is when a writer uses colours (and the particular associations they hold) to characterise a character or setting.
Frivolous - Being frivolous means being unserious or being silly about something.
To contrast - Two contrasting things would be strikingly different from one another.
Common misconception
Pupils think that Fred making fun of Scrooge is mean.
Fred is shown to have a great sense of humour and this is what he's expressing when talking about his uncle. It is this sense of humour that enables him to remain optimistic despite financial struggle.
Teacher tip
For task A in learning cycle 1, take the quotations out of the table and get students to come up with their own quotations first, then give them the ones on the slide to analyse. This will help students practise selecting evidence.
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.Select the pairs that demonstrate two opposites.
Q2.Who is Fred in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.Which of the following explanations best describes how Dickens portrays Scrooge's physical appearance in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.Which values does Charles Dickens suggest are especially important at Christmas in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.When Fred invites Scrooge to his Christmas celebrations in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge replies "Bah... "
Q6.Why does Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol' hate Christmas? Choose the most appropriate responses.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are qualities and characteristics that Fred demonstrates in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.Which methods does Dickens use in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol' to characterise Fred and Scrooge as opposite characters?
Q3.Which of the following words also indicate that two characters are opposite, or distinctly different?
Q4.What do we learn from the character of Fred in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q5.Starting with the first, put the events at Fred's Christmas party from Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol' in chronological order.
Q6.What does the motif of laughter represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Scrooge and Fred as opposite characters, 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 3: Scrooge and Fred as opposite characters, 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.