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Year 10 - English

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: death in the novella

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 death in the novella.

Key Notes

  • Scrooge's reactions to the first two deaths in the novella are callous - he represses his emotions.
  • Over the course of the novella, Scrooge learns the value of individual human life, so is more affected by the deaths.
  • Through Tiny Tim's death, Scrooge recognises that the "surplus population" are, in fact, human beings worthy of life.
  • Scrooge recognises the importance of living a fulfilling life and contributing positively to the welfare of others.
  • Dickens emphasises that having a positive impact on others doesn't always require money, it requires compassion/empathy.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Indifferent: If you are indifferent to something, you are not bothered about it.
  • Callous: Someone callous is exceptionally harsh and cruel.
  • To repress: If you repress your emotions, you push them to the back of your mind and try to ignore them.
  • Welfare: A person's welfare is their happiness, health and wellbeing.
  • Social responsibility: Somebody who believes in social responsibility invests in their community and supports those in need.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils think that Dickens is solely emphasising the value of human life.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Scrooge's reactions to the first two deaths in the novella are callous - he represses his emotions. Over the course of the novella, Scrooge learns the value of individual human life, so is more affected by the deaths.

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

If you are indifferent to something, you are not bothered about it.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils think that Dickens is solely emphasising the value of human life. Correction: Dickens is also emphasising the importance of what we do with our lives - how we use them to enrich other people's human experience.

More Lessons In This Unit

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