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Year 11 - English

'A Christmas Carol': charity

A Christmas Carol: a Christian parable

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils consider whether Dickens presents 'A Christmas Carol' as a Christian parable. They look at Dickens as a Christian writer, Marley's ghost, Tiny Tim and Dickens' use of allusion. They think about charity in the novella and write an essay about whether the novella is hopeful.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse how Dickens presents ideas about charity in 'A Christmas Carol'.

Key Notes

  • Some might argue that Scrooge raising Bob's wage is not an act of charity, but an act of employer responsibility.
  • Sabbatarianism is the belief that all shops and businesses should be closed on the holy day (Sunday).
  • Dickens seems to be criticising Sabbatarianism in Stave 3 of the novella.
  • Dickens highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to be religious, but seek to undermine others' charitable efforts.
  • Dickens places emphasis on the importance of individual charity.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • institutional: relating to organised establishments like schools, churches, charities etc.
  • welfare: a person's health, happiness and fortune.
  • Sabbatarianism: the belief that no work should be undertaken on the holy day (Sunday).
  • charitable: being generous with one's resources - using them to aid those in need.
  • employer responsibility: the belief that employers should be responsible for the welfare of their employees.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Some students might think that Scrooge raising Bob's wage is an act of charity or generosity.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Some might argue that Scrooge raising Bob's wage is not an act of charity, but an act of employer responsibility. Sabbatarianism is the belief that all shops and businesses should be closed on the holy day (Sunday).

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

relating to organised establishments like schools, churches, charities etc.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Some students might think that Scrooge raising Bob's wage is an act of charity or generosity. Correction: Scrooge never paid Bob fairly to begin with. He is therefore not doing him a favour by raising his wage, but simply doing the decent thing.

More Lessons In This Unit

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