A Christmas Carol Study Guide.indd - Goodman Theatre

Activity
Scrooge’s Campaign for Mayor
Adapted from a lesson at http://www.coollessons.org/Dickens.html
With a new attitude towards life, Ebenezer
Scrooge has decided to run for mayor of
London! To help the common people understand
his ideas, Scrooge must educate the
public about his experiences and reasons for
seeking reform. By looking at various aspects
of life illustrated in A Christmas Carol, you will
develop Scrooge’s campaign points and strategies,
using current presidential campaigns as
a model.
Your class will break into groups of three students,
each running its own campaign. One
student in each group will play Scrooge in a
final classroom debate on the issues! Which
Scrooge will be elected? Campaign wisely, and
it might be you!
Original artwork provided by Jay Fosgitt. www.jayfosgitt.com.
The student playing “Scrooge” in each campaign group will select which
campaign areas s/he wants to focus on (listed in the box at right). As a
group, you will determine how you can make life for the people of
Victorian London better in each of those areas.
Other students in the group will take on the roles of “campaign manager”
and “publicist.” These students’ main roles will be creating campaign
advertisements and other materials based around the issues the
group has selected. These items might include things like campaign posters/banners,
brochures, bookmarks and buttons.
Campaign Areas
Labor Issues
Education Issues
Industry Issues
Quality of Life Issues
Health Issues
Gender Issues
While researching and collecting information about your issues, make
sure to answer the following questions:
- What is the life of the townspeople in London like?
- What are Scrooge’s new viewpoints on daily life in London?
- How will Scrooge’s new viewpoints on daily life change his
opinions on politic policy in London?
- What solutions/programs will Scrooge support as mayor?
Once your campaign materials are ready, your “Scrooge” will face off
against the others in a classroom debate on the issues, arguing the
points your group has researched. Your class will then “elect” a Scrooge
to be “mayor of London”!
This website is a great place to start your research:
http://www.coollessons.org/Dickensissues.htm
Scrooge and Tiny Tim. Photo courtesy of Goodman Theatre.
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