'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: Belle
I can explain the significance of Belle in 'A Christmas Carol'.
'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: Belle
I can explain the significance of Belle in 'A Christmas Carol'.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Belle ended her relationship with Scrooge because she recognised that he valued money over human connection
- Dickens presents greed as corruptive, suggesting that it spreads misery and unhappiness
- The breakdown of the engagement is the point at which Scrooge turns his back on society entirely
- Through Belle, we see Scrooge’s capacity for love and hope that he might find it within himself to love again
- Dickens presents Belle as a content mother and wife to illustrate that money is not what brings happiness
Keywords
To corrupt - If something has the power to corrupt someone, it has the power to make them dishonest and immoral.
Ethereal - An ethereal being is a beautiful and other-worldly creature.
To idolise - If you idolise someone, you adore and admire them very much.
Wilful - If you do something wilfully, you do it knowingly and on purpose.
Fulfilled - If you feel fulfilled, you feel that all your hopes and ambitions have been met.
Common misconception
Students believe that Belle was never interested in having any money.
Belle was interested in having money - she just wanted to earn it with Scrooge over time.
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
- 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).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
"Another idol has displaced me... a golden one."
“I told you these were shadows of the things that have been"
“Yo ho, my boys! No more work tonight."
"Are there no prisons?"
"Yours is a ponderous chain."
"What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”