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Year 10 - English

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the Cratchits' Christmas

A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's redemption

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read and explore 'A Christmas Carol'. They start by reading the novella in full, pausing during each stave to analyse key scenes, characters, themes and methods. After reading the novella, pupils chart Scrooge's redemptive journey and craft an essay on the presentation of fear.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to understand the role of the Cratchit family in 'A Christmas Carol'.

Key Notes

  • The Cratchits embody the values of Christmas: family; community; empathy; gratitude and Christmas spirit.
  • Bob Cratchit's name reflects that he is underpaid and impoverished.
  • Tiny Tim was allegedly inspired by Dickens' nephew, Harry, who was also disabled, but sadly passed away.
  • Tiny Tim is a symbol of Scrooge's selfishness and cruelty, as well as hope for his transformation.
  • Dickens uses the Cratchits to humanise the poor and illustrate the direct (and personal) consequences of selfishness.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Theme: A theme is a central idea or message that is explored through a literary work.
  • Gratitude: If someone demonstrates gratitude, they are thankful for what they have.
  • Resourceful: Being resourceful means finding clever ways to overcome difficulties or challenges.
  • To exemplify: If a character exemplifies a theme, they are an example or representation of it.
  • To humanise: If you humanise something, you present it as a human being, so that people can empathise with it.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students often believe that Bob Cratchit represents the most poor group of people in society.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The Cratchits embody the values of Christmas: family; community; empathy; gratitude and Christmas spirit. Bob Cratchit's name reflects that he is underpaid and impoverished.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Theme'

A theme is a central idea or message that is explored through a literary work.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students often believe that Bob Cratchit represents the most poor group of people in society. Correction: Whilst Bob Cratchit certainly struggles for money and has to be resourceful to feed his family, he still has a job and a home.

More Lessons In This Unit

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