Starter quiz
- In Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge is described as "solitary as an ______".
- 'oyster' ✓
- What is Scrooge's attitude towards the poor in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- he empathises with them and wants to help
- he views the poor as lazy and burdensome ✓
- he views the poor as an opportunity to make money
- he views the poor as humble and inspirational
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- What does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge in Stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- He shows Scrooge the fate he has in store - his fate is similar to Marley's.
- He shows Scrooge as a baby in his mother's arms, crying out with hunger.
- He shows Scrooge his past relationships with significant people. ✓
- He shows Scrooge the death of his beloved little sister Fan.
- He shows Scrooge the pivotal moments in his past where he made wrong choices. ✓
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- What does the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come teach Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?
- That he made immoral choices in his past relationships.
- The importance of living a selfless and moral life. ✓
- That he should fear death because it is lonely.
- The true meaning of Christmas and how to show Christmas spirit.
- The idea of divine punishment and reward.
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- What is meant by the term 'supernatural'?
- Events that are eerie or mysterious but can be explained through science.
- Involving phenomena beyond the scope of scientific understanding or nature. ✓
- Advanced extra-terrestrial civilisations and their technologies.
- A being that is wholly natural and organic.
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- Through the text 'A Christmas Carol', Dickens promotes values like empathy and charity, and champions the concept of social...
- 'responsibility' ✓
Exit quiz
- In Dickens' preface to 'A Christmas Carol', he states that he wants to 'raise the Ghost of an idea'. What is this idea?
- poor people
- wealthy people
- social responsibility ✓
- unnecessary deaths
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- How did Dickens want his readers to respond to 'A Christmas Carol'?
- He wanted them to read the text as quickly as possible.
- He wanted them to have enjoyed the story and liked the characters.
- He wanted them to be terrified of the spirits and death.
- He wanted them to re-evaluate their own attitudes and behaviour. ✓
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- Which of the following is not a step in the story of the redeemed hero?
- that which was lost is found
- a significant death occurs ✓
- some kind of guidance or intervention is given
- something is lost
- a huge celebration follows
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- Match the key words up to their definitions.
- literary hero⇔the main character who overcomes challenges ✓
- to redeem⇔regaining someone's respect and support ✓
- inspirational⇔somebody or something whose example you want to follow ✓
- superstitious⇔believing wholeheartedly in the supernatural ✓
- cultural significance⇔something that bears relevance to the whole population ✓
- In 'A Christmas Carol', why does Dickens make Scrooge's transformation so hyperbolic and extreme?
- to give the text some humour, as it is quite dark
- to show that if Scrooge can change, anybody can ✓
- to reflect that Scrooge's views on poverty are radical and extreme
- to show that Victorian society was extremely misguided
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- Think about 'A Christmas Carol', which of the following would be reasonable suggestions for the 'thing' Scrooge has lost that he looks for on his 'redeemed hero' journey?
- his understanding of the value of human life ✓
- his wealth and material success
- his capacity for empathy ✓
- his acquaintances and colleagues
- his emotions
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Scrooge’s transformative journey follows that of the ‘redemptive hero’ narrative that we see in many stories.
- The redeemed hero narrative roughly follows the hero, who looks for something they have lost, with the help of a guide.
- Scrooge is presented as a hero who overcomes challenges to become a better person.
- Scrooge is presented as an inspirational figure, whose transformation is intended to be an example to many.
- 'A Christmas Carol' is a timeless classic because its moral message will always apply to an unfair and unequal society.
Common misconception
Students might think that because this is an 'old book', it might not still bear a relevant message.
The novella is a timeless classic because its message is universal. As long as there is injustice in the world, the text remains relevant.
Keywords
Literary hero - A literary hero is the main character who overcomes challenges.
To redeem - If someone redeems themself, they regain your respect and support.
Inspirational - If someone is inspirational to you, you want to follow their example.
Superstitious - Someone superstitious would believe wholeheartedly in the existence of the supernatural.
Cultural significance - If something is culturally-significant, it bears relevance to the whole population - it is of importance to society.
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