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Year 11 - English

'A Christmas Carol': Dickens as a Christian writer

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 understand how Dickens uses the parable structure to deliver his humanitarian message in 'A Christmas Carol'.

Key Notes

  • Dickens felt that people should live life adhering to Christian virtues, especially in relation to social justice.
  • Dickens was very familiar with the Bible - he regarded it as his 'unfailing guide to life'.
  • Dickens' message is perhaps not entirely theological, but focuses on living out Christian morals to better society.
  • Arguably, Dickens emulated the parable structure to teach his readers the importance of adhering to Christian virtues.
  • 'A Christmas Carol' can arguably be viewed as one large parable, or several smaller parables.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • parable: A story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus Christ in the Gospels.
  • virtue: A virtue is a behaviour showing high moral standards.
  • humility: Somebody with humility has a modest view of their own importance versus other people's.
  • prophet: A person who teaches the will of God.
  • to emulate: To emulate means to copy someone, or something else's style.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students think that a parable is just a story with a moral/didactic message.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Dickens felt that people should live life adhering to Christian virtues, especially in relation to social justice. Dickens was very familiar with the Bible - he regarded it as his 'unfailing guide to life'.

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

A story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students think that a parable is just a story with a moral/didactic message. Correction: The word 'parable' relates specifically to the stories told by Jesus in the Gospels. A story with a moral/didactic message is an allegory.

More Lessons In This Unit

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