'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death
I can understand the significance of the anonymous man’s death in Stave 4.
'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death
I can understand the significance of the anonymous man’s death in Stave 4.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dickens characterises the businessmen as physically grotesque to reflect their "monstrous" morals and attitudes
- During Stave 4, Scrooge expects to see himself in the scenes because he has already resolved to change
- The ‘criminal classes’ were people who were drawn to committing crimes by a misguided sense of morality
- Through Mrs. Dilber, Dickens illustrates that those neglected by society have no choice but to turn to criminality
- Dickens viewed criminality as the symptom of a failing society
Common misconception
Students believe that Dickens only offers a condemnation of the immorality exhibited by Mrs. Dilber.
Dickens, though he doesn't condone the character's behaviour, does empathise with her, and illustrates that she is the product of injustice.
Keywords
Disinterest - If somebody is disinterested in a conversation, they simply do not care about it.
Grotesque - Something grotesque is hideously ugly, vile or disgusting.
Frugal - If a person is frugal with their money, they try to avoid spending it.
Criminality - Criminality refers to illegal behaviour
Opportunistic - If someone is opportunistic, they will take any chance to prosper from a situation.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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
6 Questions
“To whom will our debt be transferred?”
"I shall not leave its lesson, trust me."
"Every person has a right to take care of themselves."
“Old Scratch has got his own at last, hey.”
"My little, little child! ...My little child!”