'A Christmas Carol': from dark to light
I can track light and dark imagery through the novella and explain how it has been used.
'A Christmas Carol': from dark to light
I can track light and dark imagery through the novella and explain how it has been used.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dickens uses the motif of light and dark throughout the novella to symbolise hope and faith.
- The cold and dark repeatedly associated with Scrooge at the start shows that he needs to change.
- The darkness could reflect Scrooge’s immorality, loss of childhood innocence, or loss of faith.
- The spirits enlighten Scrooge as to the error of his ways and guide him towards a more moral future.
- Arguably, the spirits guide Scrooge into the light (the light of God and Christianity).
Keywords
Imagery - visually-descriptive language.
Melancholy - deeply sad.
Virtue - a behaviour showing high moral standards.
Draw parallels - to make connections with something.
Transformative - something that brings about changes (usually positive changes).
Common misconception
Students often think that different ideas equal different arguments.
Show students our Oak pupils' suggestions. Their suggestions are not different arguments, but different ideas which can form an argument.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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