The supernatural in ACC

Question 1

Supernatural

Answer 1

• the three Ghosts who ultimately enable Scrooge to change. It could therefore be said that Dickens uses the Ghosts as catalysts to Scrooge’s transformation- This is effective because they introduce a greater consequence to Scrooge’s actions, increasing the importance and urgency of his redemption.

Question 2

the ghost of christmas past

Answer 2

• 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.

Question 3

The ghost of christmas present

Answer 3

• This Phantom resembles ‘Father Christmas’- 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.

Question 4

The ghost of christmas yet to come

Answer 4

• The last spectre to arrive is described not as
  Ghost but as a “phantom”.
• Dickens creates links between the ghost and the Grim Reaper who is a personification of death- 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.

Question 5

Fred

Answer 5

• Fred’s goodness can be seen as supernatural as he is unchanging. Dickens
  uses lots of imagery of light to describe Fred.
• 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.
• The fact that the Ghost and Fred have a sparkle suggests that they are of similar nature, attributing a supernatural quality to Fred.