'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the second of the three spirits
I can explain how Dickens characterises the second spirit.
'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the second of the three spirits
I can explain how Dickens characterises the second spirit.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present, a jolly figure who closely resembles the Victorian Father Christmas
- Scrooge is frightened of the spirit, but is receptive to his teachings, as he ‘obeys’ his commands
- The spirit shows Scrooge different festive scenes from around the world
- The spirit represents generosity and abundance
- The spirit is a direct criticism of Malthusian concerns about food supply shortages
Keywords
Receptive - If someone is receptive, they are willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas.
Reflective - If someone is reflective, they are able to evaluate their own actions and behaviour.
Abundance - If you have an abundance of something, you have a lot of it.
Emotional repression - Emotional repression is when someone unconsciously pushes difficult or upsetting feelings aside so that they can’t surface.
Common misconception
Students believe that Father Christmas was always pictured wearing red.
Victorian depictions of Father Christmas show him wearing green, with a wreath of holly around his head.
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
Loading...