A Christmas Carol - The Ghosts

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A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

The Ghosts try to teach Scrooge some lessons and try to reform him. The Ghosts show Scrooge the choices he has made, is making, and the choices he has yet to make and show him the consequences of his decisions.

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Young and old

The Ghost of Christmas Past is seen to be young and old at the same time.

The Ghost has light coming from the top of its head: "from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible".

Explores Scrooge's past

It shows him young Scrooge, who was alone and desperate for love, affection, and relationships, but who was forced to be in solitude.

It shows him that he did have some affection from his much-loved sister.

It also makes him start to realise that he has since pushed other relationships away: his nephew, his ex-fiancée.

It shows Scrooge that his old boss was a kind, loving man. This also makes him realise how much he mistreats his own employee, Bob Cratchit

Causes Scrooge to question behaviour

The Ghost of Christmas Past makes Scrooge see all the bad things he experienced and causes him to realise that he is putting people through the same thing, or actually treating them worse.

The first visitation causes Scrooge to question why he has been treating people the way that he has.

Quotations

"From the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible".

The light from the top of its head could represent how Ghost is about to shed metaphorical light on Scrooge's past - it is about to highlight some of the reasons why he is miserable and alone, as well as some of the poor decisions he made as he got a bit older.

The light makes Scrooge very uncomfortable, as he enjoys living in the dark, away from emotion.

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Welcoming and warm

The Ghost of Christmas Present is shown to be a big, happy, welcoming presence.

The Ghost is generous and warm: "Come in! and know me better, man!"

Highlights the good of Christmas

The Ghost shows Scrooge the happiness and good things that come from Christmas Day (Scrooge says in Stave 1 that Christmas doesn't do anyone any good).

He sees Bob Cratchit's family, who are all so excited to be together and enjoying the few treats they can afford at Christmas. He learns that this lower-class family work really hard but that they do so to make each other's lives better. They do not care that they cannot afford much but enjoy being together as a family and playing games.

He sees Fred's family, who laugh and play games and generally enjoy themselves thoroughly.

Scrooge begs the Ghost to let him stay longer and enjoy the games with his family - this is the first sign that he is choosing not to be alone.

Quotations

"Come in! and know me better, man!"

​​​​​​​In this line, the Ghost is encouraging Scrooge to come in and talk to him.

Alternatively, the Ghost may be metaphorically encouraging Scrooge to use him to learn more about how to be a good, kind, generous man - to know him (the Ghost) is to know how to improve his own personality and, therefore, the wider society.

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME

Christmas Yet to Come

Scrooge still has a chance to change his horrible fate. In a strange way, this Ghost could represent hope to Scrooge - if he follows the guidance from the Ghosts, he can live a better life.

Dark and Intimidating

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is dark, forbidding, and ominous.

Scrooge is really intimidated by this Ghost - he is frightened to learn what all of his negative actions might be leading him to.

Tells Scrooge things he doesn't know

The Ghost is the darkest and scariest of the tree, as it is the only one who can tell Scrooge things he does not know.

He learns what people really think of him - every single person dislikes him and is glad that he is dead.

He learns that he will die alone.

He is forced to realise that hoarding money (instead of pursuing relationships) does him no good by the end of his life - the money will go elsewhere, his belongings are stolen, he is completely alone, and everyone hates him.

Forces Scrooge to realise responsibility

The Ghost also forces Scrooge to realise his responsibility as a rich man of the upper class: he needs to start caring about other people.

It shows him the Cratchits, reveals that Tiny Tim dies young, and shows the heart-wrenching impacts this has on the rest of the family.

Scrooge asks if he can change Tiny Tim's fate - the Ghost reveals that he can. Scrooge must change his ways and start to care for other people.

Quotations

"A solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him".

The adjective "solemn" suggests that this Ghost has some serious truths to reveal to Scrooge - it will show him the outcome of his life if he doesn't change.

However, the fact that the Ghost seems to be floating "like a mist" could suggest that the future it reveals is not grounded yet, not set in stone.