L2: Why the title ‘A Christmas Carol’ L2: Why the title ‘A Christmas Carol’? What is the significance of the preface to ‘A Christmas Carol’?

Recap questions: Why was the Industrial revolution significant in widening the gap between the rich and the poor? What were living conditions like for the poor? Why was Charles Dickens considered a social commentator? Why did Dickens have a particular interest in the poor and disadvantaged? In what year was A Christmas Carol was written? What era is this? Do it now

Why the title ‘A Christmas Carol’ Why the title ‘A Christmas Carol’? Last lesson we learnt that it took Dickens four weeks to write A Christmas Carol. It was actually released on December 19th, which might account for the title ‘A Christmas Carol’ as it came out just before the Christmas period. But why Carol? Carols are sung collectively and spread joy. Perhaps Dickens was hoping that his story might bring families together over the festive period and help to spread a little more joy to all. Instead of using chapters, Dickens also uses staves. A stave is a musical term for a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch. Dickens uses staves in A Christmas Carol because each stave is a stand-alone story with its own distinctive mood. But when taken together, all five staves combine to form a harmonious whole. New knowledge

However, the original title of the book was ‘A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas’ and before the first stave, this, the preface appears. A preface is an introduction to a book and it deals with the ideas behind the book, the purpose of the book and its limitations. Annotate your copy of the preface with your ideas about what Dickens is trying to tell us about the book before we have read it. New knowledge

What is the significance of the preface? The reference to ‘Ghostly’ and ‘Ghost’ and ‘haunt’ suggests a supernatural theme. The Ghost of an idea suggesting an insubstantial and not threatening idea. However, he wants it to ‘haunt their house’ suggesting he wants the idea to be thought about. The use of the word ‘lay’ when used with ghosts means to exorcise a ghost or stop one from appearing. Here is hoping that no one will want to do this implying his message is one he wants people to heed. The use of the word humour suggests there will be some light moments in the story which he hopes people will enjoy. He doesn’t want to ruin people’s seasonal spirits. New knowledge

Stave 1 is entitled: Marley’s Ghost Stave 1 is entitled: Marley’s Ghost. What can you predict about the narrative from this title? New knowledge

Let’s read the opening to Stave 1 New knowledge

Check for understanding Who is Marley? Why is it important for us to know clearly that Marley is dead? Dickens refers to Hamlet in the opening to ‘A Christmas Carol.’ In the story of Hamlet Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, dies before the play begins, but he appears to Hamlet as a ghost in Act 1 of the play. The ghost reveals that he was killed by his brother, Hamlet’s uncle. Hamlet’s uncle now rules Denmark and is married to Hamlet’s mother. The ghost of Hamlet’s father is often shown appearing on the ramparts of his castle. This dramatic revelation affects everything that follows in the play. Why do you think Dickens has used this reference to Hamlet? Pen to paper

Marley was Scrooge’s business partner and friend Marley was Scrooge’s business partner and friend. But to what extent would you say Scrooge was affected by Marley’s death? Can you draw upon evidence in the text to support your viewpoint? Reflection