'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the significance of the anonymous man’s death in Stave 4.
Key learning points
- Dickens characterises the businessmen as physically grotesque to reflect their "monstrous" morals and attitudes
- During Stave 4, Scrooge expects to see himself in the scenes because he has already resolved to change
- The ‘criminal classes’ were people who were drawn to committing crimes by a misguided sense of morality
- Through Mrs. Dilber, Dickens illustrates that those neglected by society have no choice but to turn to criminality
- Dickens viewed criminality as the symptom of a failing society
Keywords
Disinterest - If somebody is disinterested in a conversation, they simply do not care about it.
Grotesque - Something grotesque is hideously ugly, vile or disgusting.
Frugal - If a person is frugal with their money, they try to avoid spending it.
Criminality - Criminality refers to illegal behaviour
Opportunistic - If someone is opportunistic, they will take any chance to prosper from a situation.
Common misconception
Students believe that Dickens only offers a condemnation of the immorality exhibited by Mrs. Dilber.
Dickens, though he doesn't condone the character's behaviour, does empathise with her, and illustrates that she is the product of injustice.
Teacher tip
For task B in learning cycle two, invite students to come up to the board and place their initials on the spectrum, before justifying their position. This will help you facilitate a debate around Dickens' beliefs and intentions.
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
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In which stave of 'A Christmas Carol' does the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come visit Scrooge?
Q2.In 'A Christmas Carol', which of the following are aspects of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come's appearance?
Q3.In Stave 4 of ' A Christmas Carol', when Scrooge sees his own gravestone, he asks the phantom: "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that be, only?”
Q4.In Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge witnesses the relief of a young couple, who have learned that somebody significant to their lives has died. Why are the young couple relieved and thankful?
Q5.Which of the following is the most accurate description of "spiritual judgement"?
Q6.Match the quotation from Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol' up to the character who said it.
“To whom will our debt be transferred?”
"I shall not leave its lesson, trust me."
"Every person has a right to take care of themselves."
“Old Scratch has got his own at last, hey.”
"My little, little child! ...My little child!”
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What kind of men does Scrooge observe gossiping about his death in the beginning of Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.Which of the following quotations describe the businessmen that Scrooge observes in Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.Why does Scrooge look for himself in the scenes in Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q4.In Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol', we could describe Scrooge as with his money.
Q5.Who are the 'criminal class' in Victorian society?
Q6.What is the connection between Mrs. Dilber and the characters Ignorance and Want in 'A Christmas Carol'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death, 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 4: a significant death, 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.