'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’.
'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’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dickens felt that people should live life adhering to Christian virtues, especially in relation to social justice.
- Dickens was very familiar with the Bible - he regarded it as his ‘unfailing guide to life’.
- Dickens' message is perhaps not entirely theological, but focuses on living out Christian morals to better society.
- Arguably, Dickens emulated the parable structure to teach his readers the importance of adhering to Christian virtues.
- ‘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.
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
6 Questions
"like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man"
"clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle"
"folded kerchief bound about its head and chin"
"coming, like a mist along the ground"