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Year 10 - English

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the second of the three spirits

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 explain how Dickens characterises the second spirit.

Key Notes

  • 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

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students believe that Father Christmas was always pictured wearing red.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key 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.

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

If someone is receptive, they are willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students believe that Father Christmas was always pictured wearing red. Correction: Victorian depictions of Father Christmas show him wearing green, with a wreath of holly around his head.

More Lessons In This Unit

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