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Year 10 - English

'A Christmas Carol': symbolism 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 how Dickens uses symbolism to reflect Scrooge's journey of redemption.

Key Notes

  • Dickens uses the weather throughout the text to symbolise Scrooge's redemption.
  • The fog in Stave 1 symbolises Scrooge's wilful ignorance to the suffering of others.
  • Dickens uses bells in the novella to symbolise judgement and as a call to moral awakening.
  • Dickens uses music throughout the novella to symbolise unity and equality .
  • The novella's title is symbolic of Dickens' hope for his message to be passed down from generation to generation.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Symbolism: Symbolism is where the writer uses an object or image to represent an idea.
  • To redeem: If someone redeems themself, they regain your respect and support.
  • Transformed: If someone is transformed, they have drastically changed (usually for the better).
  • Moral awakening: A moral awakening is the discovery of a new sense of moral responsibility.
  • Unity: Unity is the state of being together.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students think the novella's title was chosen simply to reflect the festive period it covers.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Dickens uses the weather throughout the text to symbolise Scrooge's redemption. The fog in Stave 1 symbolises Scrooge's wilful ignorance to the suffering of others.

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

Symbolism is where the writer uses an object or image to represent an idea.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students think the novella's title was chosen simply to reflect the festive period it covers. Correction: The title is more symbolic of Dickens' intentions - he intended for the message from this text to be spread far and wide, much like a carol.

More Lessons In This Unit

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