to show or present something in a certain way.

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's fireplace and Dickens' use of allusion

English

In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils apply their understanding of the gothic genre to the text, exploring the reasons why Dickens chose to write this as a ghost story. In 'A Christmas Carol: A Christian Parable',  pupils look at the Christian roots of this tale to gain a more nuanced understanding of Dickens' social and moral purpose in writing the novella. 

Nineteenth century text: second deep dive

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Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

a reference a writer makes to another story

a simple story with a moral lesson as told by Jesus in the Gospels

a group of words which all start with the same letter

How is Scrooge's fireplace described in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

It suggests he wholeheartedly abides by the teachings of the Scriptures.

It reflects the way in which he has surrounded himself with people.

It suggests he has neglected faith and morality in favour of avarice and greed.

It suggests he has isolated himself from humanity, but not from art.

What is ironic about Scrooge being surrounded by depictions of the Scriptures on his fireplace in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

Abel's brother and murderer who was exiled by God

the father of Abel, who punished his son for murder

the brother of Eve from the Genesis story

They are both doomed to wander the Earth as punishment for their sins.

They are both the sons of important figures.

They both help to save someone else's soul.

They both carry heavy chains and cashboxes around with them.

In what way are Marley's Ghost in 'A Christmas Carol' and Cain similar?

Which characters from the Scriptures does Dickens compare to Scrooge through his use of allusion in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

How are Scrooge's lodgings described in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?

Which parable does Dickens allude to through Marley's Ghost's regret in 'A Christmas Carol'?

What role does Marley's Ghost play in the novella 'A Christmas Carol'?

two characters whose lives run alongside one another

What does 'to draw parallels between' mean?

Complete the quotation from Stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol': "Another {{}} has displaced me.... a golden one."

A {{}} is a short, simple story with a moral lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz