The Ghost of Christmas Past (2024)

FAQs

What does Ghost of Christmas Past say? ›

After viewing the scene with Belle and her family, Scrooge asks the spirit to take him away. The Ghost of Christmas Past responds, "I told you these were shadows of things that have been. That they are what they are, do not blame me!"

The Ghost of Christmas Past represents memory. She shows Scrooge events from his past in hopes of shedding light on how Scrooge became bitter and miserly and to remind him that he was not always that way. If the Ghost can help Scrooge remember who he once was, there may still be hope for him.

For Scrooge, this light is the enlightenment that memory can offer. Because memory can be dimmed, however, the Ghost has a candle snuffer it wears as a hat when it wishes to dim its light.

He is visiting to try to save his soul. He plans to do this by showing him past Christmas' when Scrooge was younger and hopefully turning him into a more charitable person.

It is an ephemeral. spirit that appears to be both old and young at the same time with light streaming from the top of its head. It takes Scrooge to scenes from his own past, showing him visions of his own childhood, of his young adulthood and of happier times.

Explores Scrooge's past

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.

The light coming out of the Ghost of Christmas Past symbolizes the memories Scrooge wishes to forget, and the knowledge he would gain from experiencing and processing them.

The chains that Marley drags with him in the afterlife are not mere symbols of his greed but also the weight of the choices he made. They represent the burden of regret. In this sense, Marley is a character who resonates deeply with many of us.

They remain in ignorance because they have no right to education, and want because nobody is looking after them. They do not speak, but their pleading gestures, kneeling at the Ghost's feet and clinging to its garment, show their helplessness.

Appearing to be both young and old, the spirit carries a large cap in the shape of a candle extinguisher under its arm. From the top of its head shines a bright light that illuminates Scrooge's memories.

What gender is the Ghost of Christmas Past? ›

He carried with him a metal cap, made in the shape of a candle extinguisher. While the ghost is often portrayed as a woman in the most dramatic adaptations, Dickens describes the Ghost of Christmas Past only as “it”.

Tiny Tim is a symbol of hope. The end of the novella is a positive one. Dickens uses Tiny Tim to ultimately show that people, and society, can change for the better. Scrooge (the upper class) plays a key role in this – if he had remained selfish and cruel, Tiny Tim would have died.

A Christmas Carol is an allegory, and the compassionate, soft-spoken Ghost of Christmas Past represents memory. His appearance is strange, and most notably fluid, indicating the constantly shifting nature of remembering.

Appalled, Scrooge clutches at the spirit and begs him to undo the events of his nightmarish vision. He promises to honor Christmas from deep within his heart and to live by the moralizing lessons of Past, Present, and Future.

At sight of an old gentleman in a Welch wig, sitting behind such a high desk, that if he had been two inches taller he must have knocked his head against the ceiling, Scrooge cried in great excitement: "Why, its old Fezziwig! Bless his heart, it's Fezziwig alive again!"

This last ghost does not speak at all.

It is the most haunting in appearance. ... a solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him. Dickens shows a 'solemn' and spooky spirit in the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

The Ghost predicts that Mankind, Scrooge included, will suffer unless the lessons of generosity and tolerance are learned. "Most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."

The Ghost of Christmas Past is a strange, otherworldly creature that shimmers and flickers like a candlelight, constantly changing in appearance as it reflects Scrooge's memories, old and new. As one memory comes sharply into focus, another fades.

The light coming out of the Ghost of Christmas Past symbolizes the memories Scrooge wishes to forget, and the knowledge he would gain from experiencing and processing them.