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Year 10 - English

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death

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 significance of the anonymous man's death in Stave 4.

Key Notes

  • Dickens characterises the businessmen as physically grotesque to reflect their "monstrous" morals and attitudes
  • During Stave 4, Scrooge expects to see himself in the scenes because he has already resolved to change
  • The 'criminal classes' were people who were drawn to committing crimes by a misguided sense of morality
  • Through Mrs. Dilber, Dickens illustrates that those neglected by society have no choice but to turn to criminality
  • Dickens viewed criminality as the symptom of a failing society

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Disinterest: If somebody is disinterested in a conversation, they simply do not care about it.
  • Grotesque: Something grotesque is hideously ugly, vile or disgusting.
  • Frugal: If a person is frugal with their money, they try to avoid spending it.
  • Criminality: Criminality refers to illegal behaviour
  • Opportunistic: If someone is opportunistic, they will take any chance to prosper from a situation.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students believe that Dickens only offers a condemnation of the immorality exhibited by Mrs. Dilber.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Dickens characterises the businessmen as physically grotesque to reflect their "monstrous" morals and attitudes. During Stave 4, Scrooge expects to see himself in the scenes because he has already resolved to change.

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

If somebody is disinterested in a conversation, they simply do not care about it.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students believe that Dickens only offers a condemnation of the immorality exhibited by Mrs. Dilber. Correction: Dickens, though he doesn't condone the character's behaviour, does empathise with her, and illustrates that she is the product of injustice.

More Lessons In This Unit

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