A phenomenon that cannot be explained by science or constrained within the laws of nature.

The Victorian belief that people should act, dress and behave in a certain, socially-acceptable way.

Anything deviant goes against the accepted norm or standard of behaviour.

Conservative means very traditional and established - resistant to change.

'A Christmas Carol': a Victorian ghost story

English

In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils explore the novella in the context of the gothic tradition and in particular examine the characterisation of the ghosts and the gothic settings. In 'A Christmas Carol: A Christian Parable', pupils focus on the Christian foundations of the story and on the use of Christian imagery throughout to gain a more nuanced understanding of the writer's message.

In 'A Christmas Carol: a Gothic Tale', pupils explore the conventions of the Victorian gothic and the ways in which Dickens appropriates this for his tale. In 'A Monster Within', pupils learn about the gothic genre by comparing a series of gothic villains.

In this unit, pupils consider how and why Dickens presents 'A Christmas Carol' as a ghost story. They look at the novella as a gothic text and then the ghosts in detail. They then write a critical response about how Dickens uses the ghosts to deliver his message about social responsibility.

Nineteenth century text: first deep dive

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which two words best describe Victorian way of life? 

Fill in the missing word: Victorian {{}} was all about the way other people perceived you. The Victorians were very strict about what was and what wasn’t appropriate behaviour. 

When was Gothic literature allegedly originally 'born'?

They liked to read and discuss the stories with their acquaintances. 

Ghost stories broke many societal taboos, which they found fascinating.

It was a form of escapism from their traditional ways of life.

The streets of London were dark, so Victorians liked to imagine ghosts there.

Why did the Victorians enjoy ghost stories so much? 

Ghost stories were the only genre of writing Dickens was able to execute.

He enjoyed reading ghost stories himself so he created one for his readers.

He believed passionately in the supernatural so he brought it to life.

He know people liked ghost stories and he wanted the novella to be widely read.

Why did Charles Dickens make 'A Christmas Carol' a ghost story? 

because he genuinely believed that ghosts lived among human beings

so readers believed in the ghosts and would be more likely to change

because he thought it would be more creative to have spirits and people co-exist

to make the ghosts feel inescapable, so readers felt pressure to change 

to make readers unsure as to whether the ghosts are real or not

Why did Dickens make the supernatural an extension of the natural world in 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which century did the Victorian period predominantly span? 

In 'A Christmas Carol', 4 ghosts visit Scrooge. Starting with the first, put them in chronological order according to when they visit Scrooge. 

Which of the following words does Dickens not use to refer to the ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Which spirit does this 'A Christmas Carol' quote reflect? Scrooge's room "had undergone a...transformation. The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove".

to earn lots of money from sales and publications

to have as many people read the novella as possible

to spread a message of social responsibility

to spread a message about the importance of Christmas

to spread a message about the finality of death

What was Dickens' main aim in writing 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

'A Christmas Carol': a Victorian ghost story

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.