Ghosts Flashcards
The Ghost of Christmas Past’s appearance constantly changes as it reflects on memories, sometimes highlighting certain events and other times bringing forth other details. The Ghost represents the pasts of many people, and the iterations of Christmases past are too many to take any one shape.
’ What was light one instant, at another time was dark …’
Scrooge tries to extinguish the Ghost of Christmas Past’s power by placing a hat-shaped like a candle extinguisher on the Ghost’s head. However, the Ghost cannot be defeated, and the past events cannot be denied or forgotten by Scrooge.
’ But though Scrooge pressed it down with all its force, he could not hide the light, which streamed from under it… ‘
Marley, who only cared about business, had no friends or mourners other than his business partner, Scrooge. It is suggested that Scrooge’s life becomes completely solitary after Marley’s death, possibly making Marley his only friend.
’ Scrooge was his sole executioner, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner. ‘
Marley explains his eternal punishment by explaining that his obsession with money and business led to the chain he now wears. He also reveals that Scrooge’s invisible chain is made up of the same items, as they both made the same choices and had similar obsessions in their lives.
’ “I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?” ‘
Marley, as part of his punishment, watches as Scrooge forges his own invisible chain and decides to warn him about his fate, hoping to help him change. However, Scrooge, despite Marley’s warning, remains content with his situation, leading to the arrival of three more Ghosts.
“I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day.” … “I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate.” ‘
The Ghost of Christmas Present becomes happier and more powerful as more people celebrate Christmas, personifying the spirit of Christmas with his open heart, open hand, and outstretched arm, spreading joy like a force of nature. All deserve the harmless happiness that Christmas brings, which costs nothing, contrary to what Scrooge initially thought.
’ Its bright and harmless mirth on everything within its reach! ‘
The Ghost of Christmas Present’s lifespan is limited to each Christmas season, with his appearance visibly aging on Twelfth Night, marking the official end of the twelve days of Christmas. Despite Scrooge’s vision appearing to last only one long night, he spent the entire Christmas season with the Ghost, witnessing his powerful effects on people.
’ It was strange, too, that while Scrooge remained unaltered in his outward form, the Ghost grew older, clearly older. ‘
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come appears as a mysterious and unknowable figure, shrouded in darkness, and takes Scrooge to future events, but remains silent, causing him to be the most frightening of the Spirits to both Scrooge and the reader.
’ It seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment… ‘
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come communicates with Scrooge through actions rather than words. He wants Scrooge to look at a corpse, but Scrooge is too scared, so the Ghost shows him the corpse’s gravestone instead.
’ Still the Ghost pointed with an unmoved finger to the head. ‘
Scrooge acknowledges that he is the dead man with no mourners and asks if he can change his fate, hoping that the Ghost is showing him a warning and not a certainty. The Spirit’s ______, interpreted by some as displaying pity for Scrooge, suggests that the Ghost may be only a messenger with no control over Scrooge’s fate.
’ For the first time the hand appeared to shake. ‘
This is another quote that shows a change in Scrooge. By seeing himself as a young boy, he starts to feel empathy towards others.
’ “There was a boy singing a Christmas carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that’s all.” ‘
The Ghost of Christmas present tells Scrooge that shops are closed on Sundays not due to his own choice but rather the corruption of businesses, convincing Scrooge to not do the same.
’ “Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.” ‘
When asked about the fate of the crippled Tiny Tim, the Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge that the child will die if Scrooge doesn’t decide to help, using Scrooge’s own words to spite him. This clearly influences Scrooge, as he is distressed for the rest of the scene and donates a turkey to the family at the end of the book.
’ “I see a vacant seat,” replied the Ghost, “in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved.” … “What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” ‘
This shows that the Ghost of Christmas Present has achieved his goal and has fully influenced Scrooge, as Scrooge, once refusing to do anything “fun”, was now begging to stay and watch the revelries.
’ The Ghost … looked upon him with such favor… ‘
Dickens uses the malnourished children Ignorance and Want as a metaphor for societal issues. The Ghost tells Scrooge that these children are the creation of humankind of Christmas presentand warns us to beware of both, especially Ignorance, which can be addressed through education. Dickens promotes the role of education in eradicating Want through knowledge.
’ “This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!” ‘
