Year 11 - English
'A Christmas Carol': the ghosts and Dickens' use of allusion
A Christmas Carol: a ghost story
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils consider how and why Dickens presents 'A Christmas Carol' as a ghost story. They look at the novella as a gothic text and then the ghosts in detail. They then write a critical response about how Dickens uses the ghosts to deliver his message about social responsibility.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to understand the significance of Dickens' use of allusion in the ghosts' appearances.
Key Notes
- Dickens uses the ghosts' appearances to allude to other figures in popular Victorian culture.
- Dickens alludes to the German 'Christkindl' through the Ghost of Christmas Past's appearance.
- Dickens alludes to the Grim Reaper through the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to symbolise Scrooge's spiritual death.
- The Ghost of Christmas Present carries a bountiful torch, which symbolises abundance and generosity.
- The Ghost of Christmas Past carries a sprig of holly to symbolise hope, new life and resilience.
Vocabulary To Learn
- allusion: An allusion is a passing or indirect reference to something else.
- cornucopia: A large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, typically symbolic of abundance or plenty.
- to depict: To represent or show something in a certain way.
- draw parallels: To draw parallels means to make links between two things based on their similarities.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students often think that the Ghost of Christmas Present is actually holding Plenty's horn.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Dickens uses the ghosts' appearances to allude to other figures in popular Victorian culture. Dickens alludes to the German 'Christkindl' through the Ghost of Christmas Past's appearance.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'allusion'
An allusion is a passing or indirect reference to something else.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students often think that the Ghost of Christmas Present is actually holding Plenty's horn. Correction: Dickens carefully clarifies that the torch is "in a shape not unlike Plenty's horn", showing that the torch is not actually Plenty's horn.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'A Christmas Carol': a Victorian ghost story Study Guide
- 'A Christmas Carol': conceptualised responses Study Guide
- 'A Christmas Carol': constructing an argument about the ghosts Study Guide
- 'A Christmas Carol': Dickens' ghosts as agents of time Study Guide
- 'A Christmas Carol': the entrances and exits of the four ghosts Study Guide
- 'A Christmas Carol': the novella as a Gothic text Study Guide
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