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Year 11
Edexcel

'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts

I can understand the significance of the four ghosts’ entrances and exits.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts

I can understand the significance of the four ghosts’ entrances and exits.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Each of the ghosts’ entrances is symbolic of the stage Scrooge is at in his transformation.
  2. The earlier ghosts (Marley’s Ghost and The Ghost of Christmas Past) have to enter Scrooge’s world forcefully.
  3. The earlier ghosts' forced entrances are necessary because Scrooge wouldn’t help himself - he needs this intervention.
  4. The later ghosts are sought out by Scrooge, which shows his newfound willingness to learn and be introspective.
  5. The ghosts’ exits are also very significant - they reflect the purposes and the characters of the ghosts.

Common misconception

Pupils think there are only four ghosts in the novella.

Pupils forget about the numerous ghosts that Scrooge sees when he looks out of the window at the end of Stave 1.

Keywords

  • Rational - If someone is rational, they are sensible and explain things using logic or reason.

  • Superstitious - Someone superstitious would believe wholeheartedly in the existence of the supernatural.

  • Purgatory - A mid-ground between heaven and hell, where sinners are sent to repent for their sins.

  • Intervention - An intervention is action taken to help somebody.

  • To resolve - If you resolve to do something, you decide to do it.

It could be interesting to consider which of the ghosts in the novella are 'real ghosts' (the spirits of dead people) versus which are 'spirit guides' and why this might be. This could be an interesting discussion to facilitate with students.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of Charles 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).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the four spirits in 'A Christmas Carol' is described as a "jolly green giant"?
The Ghost of Christmas Past
Correct answer: The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Marley's Ghost
Q2.
Which ghost doesn't speak to Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?
The Ghost of Christmas Past
The Ghost of Christmas Present
Correct answer: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Marley's Ghost
Q3.
How does Scrooge respond to seeing the ghost of Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol'?
He is pleased to see his friend again.
Correct answer: He is horrified by his friend's appearance.
He is heartbroken to see his friend suffering so much.
Correct answer: He is in disbelief and feels he may be hallucinating.
He is indifferent to the appearance of his friend.
Q4.
Which of the ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' transform Scrooge's adjoining room into a "grove"?
Marley's Ghost
The Ghost of Christmas Past
Correct answer: The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Q5.
In 'A Christmas Carol', which ghost does Scrooge hear approaching before he sees it?
Correct answer: Marley's Ghost
The Ghost of Christmas Past
The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Q6.
In 'A Christmas Carol', what does Scrooge see when he follows Marley's Ghost to the window and looks out?
lots of poor people begging for money
lots of wealthy people taking snuff together
Tiny Tim struggling to hold his crutch
Correct answer: lots of other ghosts wailing and crying
the Ghost of Christmas Past approaching

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Where does Scrooge see the face of Jacob Marley in 'A Christmas Carol' before he encounters him?
in a puddle on the way home
in the window of the counting house
in Bob Cratchit's meagre fire
Correct answer: in his door knocker
in the face of a passing stranger
Q2.
Which strange events occur in the lead up to the entrance of Marley's Ghost in 'A Christmas Carol'?
A bright jet of light falls on Scrooge.
Correct answer: A disused bell began to swing and then ring out.
Christmas music began to play.
Scrooge hears a deep wail and a moan.
Correct answer: Scrooge hears the clanking sound of chains dragging.
Q3.
Which ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' enter with the blaze of a bright light?
Marley's Ghost
Correct answer: The Ghost of Christmas Past
Correct answer: The Ghost of Christmas Present
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Q4.
What does the light that accompanies the Ghost of Christmas Past's entrance in 'A Christmas Carol' represent?
Correct answer: enlightenment and clarity
Correct answer: guidance and hope
judgement and scorn
selfishness and cruelty
kindness and family
Q5.
Match the key vocabulary up to its definition.
Correct Answer:rational,being sensible and explaining things using logic or reason

being sensible and explaining things using logic or reason

Correct Answer:superstitious,someone who believes in the existence of the supernatural

someone who believes in the existence of the supernatural

Correct Answer:purgatory,a mid-ground between heaven and hell, where sinners are sent

a mid-ground between heaven and hell, where sinners are sent

Correct Answer:intervention,action taken to help somebody

action taken to help somebody

Correct Answer:to resolve,a synonym for 'decide'

a synonym for 'decide'

Q6.
What is significant about Scrooge going to find the Ghost of Christmas Present in his adjoining room in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Correct answer: It shows how willing to learn Scrooge is.
It shows how resistant to change Scrooge is.
It shows how selfish and impatient Scrooge is.
It shows that he thinks he knows everything now.
Correct answer: It shows how receptive he is to the ghosts' teachings.