The Supernatural

Question 1

Why did Dickens create ACC as a ghost story?

Answer 1

• It was popular tradition to read ghost stories at the festive time
• Provides a logical structure, with each of the ghosts acting as catalysts to Scrooge’s transformation
• They serve to heighten the dramatic effect of the novella as they introduce a greater consequence to Scrooge’s action

Question 2

How could Scrooge himself be considered supernatural?

Answer 2

He is one of either two extremes…

contrasting similies:

'’hard and sharp as flint’’

'’as light as a feather’’

This emphasises Scrooge’s transformation while also acknowledging his supernatural qualities. Dickens may have chosen to present him in this way to convey the idea that if it is possible for Scrooge to change then it is also feasible for his reader

Question 3

What does Dickens create by using religious doctrines?

Answer 3

Dickens creates a believable narrative, particularly to religious Victorians. As a result, they were more inclined to believe in and respect the authority of the Spirits, heightening the impact of the novella

Question 4

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

• Purpose?
• Description? ‘‘like a —-‘’ but also an ‘’— m–’’
• Jet of ‘‘l—-‘’

Answer 4

• This spirits is used to show both Scrooge and the reader the actions which have led up to Scrooge becoming the man he is. Dickens presents the Ghost to be a personification of the past, which is reflected in his appearance.
• Dickens describes the Ghost to be “like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man”. It could be argued that the true supernatural quality of the Phantom is its effortlessly paradoxical nature. To be an “old man” but also a “child” is only possible through “some supernatural medium” which the narrator freely admits.
• The Spirit is also presented to have a certain quality of innocence. Dickens details that he wore a tunic of the “purest white” which is heightened by the “bright clear jet of light” that the Spirit emits. This could be symbolic of the truth which is found in Scrooge’s memories. Perhaps it’s symbolic of the light inside Scrooge, that he tries to shut out with a ‘‘cap’’

Question 5

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

• Who does he resemble?
• Description ‘‘j—– g—–’’ on a ‘‘t—-‘’
• Characterised as…?
• True Supernatural Property
• ’‘s—— in—–’‘

Answer 5

This Phantom resembles ‘Father Christmas’ which was an image prevalent in the nineteenth century and was used to represent a festive spirit. He is described to be a “jolly giant” who sits on a “throne”. Here Dickens uses size to increase the Ghost’s impact and present him as a dominating force

• Dickens characterises the Spirit as God-like which is highlighted through Scrooge’s perception of him. He believes that the apparition is related to God in some way, claiming that blue laws (policies prohibiting leisure on Sundays) are observed the name of his “family”.
• However, the Spirit’s true supernatural property is not his religious significance but his ability to spread joy. Dickens reveals that the Ghost “sprinkled incense” on the food that people were eating, causing their “humours” to be “restored directly”. Incense were used to amend disagreements, an interesting choice as this was available to Dickens’ readers. By choosing such an accessible method for a supernatural being, Dickens emphasises that readers too should endeavour to spread joy and Christmas Spirit

Question 6

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME

• Parallels who?
• Symbol…
• Purpose

'’p——-‘’

Answer 6

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come:

The last spectre to arrive is described not as Ghost but as a “phantom”.

• ○ Dickens draws parallels between the ghost and the Grim Reaper who is a personification of death. He outlines that it wears a “ deep black garment which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing visible except one outstretched hand”.
• The reaper is a well-known symbol of death and so by likening the two characters Dickens establishes a sense of doom through the spirit. This heightens the tensions before the climax of the novel, adding gravity to the situation that Scrooge is in.

Question 7

Tiny Tim

'’c—– e—– w– f— G–’’

Answer 7

• Tiny Tim: The little boy is filled with an almost supernatural spirit. This is highlighted when the narrator asserts that Tiny Tim’s “childish essence was from God”. This is interesting as it could be said that a child-like spirit is the foundation of Christmas Spirit.
• Dickens reinforces this through the character of Scrooge. In the final stave, when Scrooge is filled with Christmas spirit, he says that he is “as merry as a school-boy”. Here the childish essence that fills Scrooge is something which Dickens encourages the reader to adopt.

Question 8

How is Fred’s goodness supernatural?

'’a– in a —-‘’

’’—- s——-‘’

Answer 8

Fred’s goodness is unchanging

• He arrives at Scrooge’s counting-house “all in a glow”, an interesting description as the light that surrounds him is suggestive of his goodness and the Christmas spirit within him.
• Dickens also writes that his “eyes sparkled”. This mirrors the Ghost of Christmas Present who has a “sparking eye”, perhaps to symbolise Christmas Spirit and the positive light that comes from it.