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Year 11
Edexcel

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens as a Christian writer

I can understand how Dickens uses the parable structure to deliver his humanitarian message in ‘A Christmas Carol’.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens as a Christian writer

I can understand how Dickens uses the parable structure to deliver his humanitarian message in ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Dickens felt that people should live life adhering to Christian virtues, especially in relation to social justice.
  2. Dickens was very familiar with the Bible - he regarded it as his ‘unfailing guide to life’.
  3. Dickens' message is perhaps not entirely theological, but focuses on living out Christian morals to better society.
  4. Arguably, Dickens emulated the parable structure to teach his readers the importance of adhering to Christian virtues.
  5. ‘A Christmas Carol’ can arguably be viewed as one large parable, or several smaller parables.

Common misconception

Students think that a parable is just a story with a moral/didactic message.

The word 'parable' relates specifically to the stories told by Jesus in the Gospels. A story with a moral/didactic message is an allegory.

Keywords

  • Parable - A story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

  • Virtue - A virtue is a behaviour showing high moral standards.

  • Humility - Somebody with humility has a modest view of their own importance versus other people’s.

  • Prophet - A person who teaches the will of God.

  • To emulate - To emulate means to copy someone, or something else’s style.

If you have time, after the introductory slides in learning cycle 2, get the students to read a parable from the Bible and try to work out its message.
Teacher tip

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

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.
When was 'A Christmas Carol' published?
1842
Correct answer: 1843
1844
1845
1846
Q2.
In which stave does the Ghost of Christmas Present visit Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Stave 1
Stave 2
Correct answer: Stave 3
Stave 4
Stave 5
Q3.
Complete the quotation from 'A Christmas Carol': "We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices."
Correct Answer: Want, want., want, Want.
Q4.
What does the Ghost of Christmas Past not show Scrooge in Stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
the dissolution of his engagement to Belle
his relationship with his former employer, Fezziwig
Correct answer: the death of his business partner Jacob Marley
Belle's happily-ever-after
his childhood, spent at boarding school
Q5.
Match the quotations from 'A Christmas Carol' to the ghost they are describing.
Correct Answer:The Ghost of Christmas Past,"like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man"

"like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man"

Correct Answer:The Ghost of Christmas Present,"clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle"

"clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle"

Correct Answer:Marley's Ghost,"folded kerchief bound about its head and chin"

"folded kerchief bound about its head and chin"

Correct Answer:Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come,"coming, like a mist along the ground"

"coming, like a mist along the ground"

Q6.
Through the novella 'A Christmas Carol', what is Dickens' didactic message?
the importance of wealth and possession
the importance of social status and class
Correct answer: the importance of social responsibility
the importance of friendship
the importance of Christmas

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which book in the Bible was Dickens most familiar with and fond of? The Testament.
Correct Answer: New, new., new, New.
Q2.
Which of the following statements are true of Dickens' religious beliefs?
He liked to get involved in the politics of religion.
Correct answer: He felt that people should live their lives according to Christian virtues.
He was very keen for his children to adopt the moral of the Old Testament.
Correct answer: He viewed the New Testament as his 'unfailing guide to life'.
He rarely read the Bible, but still considered himself Christian.
Q3.
Which of the following is not a Christian virtue taught in the New Testament of the Bible?
charity
Correct answer: wealth
gratitude
humility
obedience
Q4.
A is a simple story told to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus Christ in the Gospels (in the New Testament of the Bible).
Correct Answer: parable, parable., Parable., Parable
Q5.
According to Jesus, what are the two purposes of parables found in the the New Testament of the Bible ?
Correct answer: to conceal the truth from those who do not wish to know it
to entertain his followers
Correct answer: to reveal spiritual truths
to teach his followers to read
to position himself as a preacher - the son of God
Q6.
In what way could 'A Christmas Carol' be considered a Christian parable?
Correct answer: It contains a moral message of social responsibility.
It contains a Christ-figure in Tiny Tim.
It was written to teach those who do not wish to be taught spiritual truths.
Correct answer: It encourages its readers to abide by the virtues of Christianity.
It is a simple story with an isolated and egocentric protagonist.