'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's fireplace and Dickens' use of allusion
I can understand the allusions Dickens makes in his description of Scrooge’s fireplace.
'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's fireplace and Dickens' use of allusion
I can understand the allusions Dickens makes in his description of Scrooge’s fireplace.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dickens describes Scrooge’s fireplace as very ornate and decorative by comparison to the rest of his lodgings.
- Dickens uses the fireplace to allude to various stories from the Scriptures, such as the Queen of Sheba and Belshazzar.
- Dickens draws parallels between Marley’s Ghost and the Pharaoh's daughter because they both save a soul.
- Dickens highlights Marley’s sins by comparing him to Cain in the Bible.
- Dickens uses allusion to draw comparisons between Belshazzar and Scrooge, both of whom worship false idols.
Keywords
Allusion - an indirect reference to something else.
To depict - to show or present something in a certain way.
Ornate - highly decorated.
Draw parallels - to make connections with something else.
Endeavour - to try hard.
Common misconception
Pupils do not recognise the significance of Dickens' description of Scrooge's fireplace.
The description contains a multitude of allusions that enhance our understanding of the characters Marley's Ghost and Scrooge.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's fireplace and Dickens' use of allusion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's fireplace and Dickens' use of allusion, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the A Christmas Carol: a Christian parable unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended