The word ‘Malthusian’ refers to the ideas of an economist called Thomas Malthus who influences Victorian attitudes towards poverty.

To embody means to be the perfect example of - to exemplify something.

An ideology is a system of beliefs or values.

A philanthropist promotes the welfare of others, often by giving money to charity or campaigning for equality.

A misanthropist is someone who views the human race distinctly negatively. They harbour a dislike or hatred for other people.

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character

English

In 'A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's redemption, pupils trace the way Scrooge changes across the text as a result of his interaction with the ghosts. In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils  examine the use of gothic tropes in more detail and in particular the use of the supernatural and the ghosts, which allow the past to interrupt the present and even future. 

In 'Victorian Childhood', pupils read a number of non fiction extracts about the suffering of poor children and campaign for better laws to protect them as part of a persuasive speaking role play. In 'A Christmas Carol', pupils learn about Dickens as a social campaigner and the way in which he wrote the novella to encourage people to help the poor. 

Nineteenth century text: first study

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

What is the name given to someone who thinks negatively about the human race and harbours a mistrust and dislike of other people? 

{{}} was a Victorian economist who argued that population growth would create a shortage of food because the country couldn’t manufacture enough to keep up with the growing demand.

through taxation of the middle and upper classes

Poor people should pay the rich money for having to live alongside them.

Poverty was the fault of the poor person.

Poor people wanted to go to the workhouses to make money.

Poor people shouldn't have children because they can't afford them.

Which of the following were beliefs of Malthus?

He decided to embody a white jumper with black jeans.

They were two of the same embodies - heart and soul.

In which sentences is the word 'embody' used correctly? 

"I can't afford to make idle people merry"

"the Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour then?"

Match the quote said by Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol' up to the Malthusian belief that it exemplifies.

Where were poor people legally expected to go if they were fit to work in the Victorian era? 

What is the business Scrooge owns in 'A Christmas Carol'?

What does fire symbolise in 'A Christmas Carol'? 

He will meet the same fate as Marley and be doomed to wander the earth unhappily

He will be able to rest in peace despite his immorality

His fate will be worse than Marley's, because he has sinned for longer

He will be doomed to labour in a workhouse forever as punishment for his actions

He will be haunted by the ghost of Jacob Marley forever

What does Marley say will happen to Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol' if he does not change his miserly ways? 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

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

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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