The Wade Deacon English Department Podcast

Social Injustice in A Christmas Carol

Dickens spent much of his writing career using his talents for characterisation and imagery to showcase the horrifying impact of social injustice in Victorian Britain. In this podcast, Ms O'Malley explores how this theme is depicted in A Christmas Carol, and how some of the novella's best-loved characters function as warning signs of the need for drastic social change. 

Minor Characters in A Christmas Carol

You may know everything there is to know about Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim - but what about the lesser known characters of Charles Dickens's famous festive tale? In this podcast, Ms Jacob (an examiner for this text) explores the intricacies of minor characters who may otherwise pass you by!

Scrooge's Family

We are first introduced to Scrooge as a man "as solitary as an oyster" - but he hasn't always been like that. In this podcast, Ms Smith delves into the history of Scrooge's relationship with his family members. Where did it all go wrong - and is there chance for redemption?

The Cratchit Family

In this podcast, Mr Buxton explores the endearing and optimistic Cratchit family. Who are they? What values do they represent? And how do they impact Scrooge's transformation?

The Character of Scrooge

From hostile recluse to benevolent philanthropist, Ms Bray explores the astonishing character development of Ebenezer Scrooge.

A Christmas Carol Plot Summary

Ms Carr takes us through all the vital actions of the five staves of Charles Dickens's famous festive tale of greed, guilt and redemption. 

Off the Cuff: Kingship in Macbeth

In the first of a new series of podcasts in which your teachers record 'off the cuff' conversations about their favourite topics in literature, Ms Noone and Ms O'Malley discuss the theme of kingship in Macbeth. 

Who (or what) is Inspector Goole?

A ghost? An angel? The concept of socialism? The presence of J. B. Priestley himself? The identity and significance of Inspector Goole has been debated by audiences and critics since the first performance of the play. In this podcast, Ms Archer considers various possible readings of the inspector's role and encourages you to develop your own.

The Life and Times of J. B. Priestley

Although not as well known as Shakespeare and Dickens, J. B. Priestley actually published 39 plays and 26 novels as well as numerous collections of essays and criticism. In this podcast, Ms Rouski sheds light on Priestley's impressive bibliography, as well as his specific motivations for writing his most famous work: An Inspector Calls.

Age in An Inspector Calls

Mr Birling sarcastically brands his children "the famous younger generation who know it all." It is clear that age is a divisive and juxtaposing factor in the play, but why does Priestley utilise it in this manner? In this podcast, Ms Carr considers the significance of age and the generational gap between the key characters.