How do I create a new Oracle schema?
I gather that Oracle XE only gives you a single database

Correct - as long as you &quot;speak&quot; Oracle-ese.
The Container Database is the only &quot;real&quot; Oracle Database instance that you have.
The &quot;Pluggable Databases&quot; within it are essentially &quot;Tablespaces on Steroids&quot;, but with much better security that now guarantees the isolation of each one from every other.
For most normal operations, you should ignore the Container Database completely.
Just use the/a Pluggable Database inside it.

How do I create and use a schema, or whatever is required to contain a collection of tables?
CREATE USER fred IDENTIFIED BY '********';

Connect to the Pluggable Database and your statement will work exactly as you expect it to.