The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol
- Jolly
- Welcoming
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a huge and vibrant character who appears as the bell, once again, strikes one. It appears in Scrooge's room, surrounded by a feast. The generous nature of this ghost is reflected in the abundant vision of food.
Scrooge is more humble in the presence of this second spirit and is willing to learn any lessons the ghost will show.
It shows Scrooge visions of the world on Christmas Day, including heart-warming scenes of celebration at the homes of Bob Cratchit and Scrooge's nephew, Fred.
Before it leaves Scrooge, the Ghost shows him two 'yellow, meagre' children who are hiding under its cloak. These are called Ignorance and Want and are a warning to Scrooge to change his ways.
Learn more about the three ghosts in this podcast
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| How is the Ghost like this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Jolly | Dickens describes the ghost as open and cheerful - in actions and appearance. | Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. | The adjectives that Dickens uses are positive and present a solid big and 'joyful' character, in contrast to the indistinct spirit of Christmas Past. |
| Welcoming | The Ghost invites Scrooge to join him in a welcoming manner. | "Come in!" exclaimed the Ghost. "Come in! and know me better, man!" | The word 'exclaimed' makes the Ghost seem excited to see Scrooge. His invitation to 'know me better' is generous and open-hearted. |
| Honest | When Scrooge asks whether Tiny Tim will live, the Ghost answers with the words Scrooge had previously spoken to the portly gentlemen who were collecting for charity. | "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." | The Ghost of Christmas Present uses Scrooge's own words against him. In his honest response, that Tiny Tim is likely to die, he holds a mirror up to Scrooge and his behaviour. |
| Prophetic | 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." | He presents two children called 'Ignorance' and 'Want' hiding under his cloak. He warns that 'Doom' awaits Scrooge unless a change is made. |
| Jolly | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | Dickens describes the ghost as open and cheerful - in actions and appearance. |
| Evidence | Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. |
| Analysis | The adjectives that Dickens uses are positive and present a solid big and 'joyful' character, in contrast to the indistinct spirit of Christmas Past. |
| Welcoming | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | The Ghost invites Scrooge to join him in a welcoming manner. |
| Evidence | "Come in!" exclaimed the Ghost. "Come in! and know me better, man!" |
| Analysis | The word 'exclaimed' makes the Ghost seem excited to see Scrooge. His invitation to 'know me better' is generous and open-hearted. |
| Honest | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | When Scrooge asks whether Tiny Tim will live, the Ghost answers with the words Scrooge had previously spoken to the portly gentlemen who were collecting for charity. |
| Evidence | "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." |
| Analysis | The Ghost of Christmas Present uses Scrooge's own words against him. In his honest response, that Tiny Tim is likely to die, he holds a mirror up to Scrooge and his behaviour. |
| Prophetic | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | The Ghost predicts that Mankind, Scrooge included, will suffer unless the lessons of generosity and tolerance are learned. |
| Evidence | "Most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased." |
| Analysis | He presents two children called 'Ignorance' and 'Want' hiding under his cloak. He warns that 'Doom' awaits Scrooge unless a change is made. |
As a seasoned enthusiast of Charles Dickens' works, particularly "A Christmas Carol," I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and a deep appreciation for the intricacies within the narrative. My familiarity with the text and its themes allows me to shed light on the Ghost of Christmas Present, a character that plays a pivotal role in Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey.
First and foremost, let's delve into the evidence provided in the article to understand the essence of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Dickens paints a vivid picture of this spirit, describing it as a huge and vibrant character. The evidence suggests a lively and generous nature, embodied in the abundance of food that surrounds the ghost. This visual feast mirrors the spirit's open and cheerful demeanor.
The analysis reveals that Dickens employs positive adjectives to characterize the Ghost, emphasizing its joyfulness in stark contrast to the more ambiguous spirit of Christmas Past. The description of the ghost's features, such as its dark brown curls, genial face, sparkling eye, open hand, cheery voice, and unconstrained demeanor, all contribute to the image of a solid, big, and joyful character.
The Ghost's welcoming nature is evident when it invites Scrooge into its presence with excitement, exclaiming, "Come in! Come in! and know me better, man!" The use of the word "exclaimed" conveys the spirit's genuine enthusiasm to connect with Scrooge, and the invitation to "know me better" reflects a generous and open-hearted disposition.
Furthermore, the Ghost exhibits honesty when responding to Scrooge's inquiry about Tiny Tim's fate. By echoing Scrooge's own callous words about decreasing the surplus population, the spirit holds up a mirror to Scrooge's behavior, emphasizing the need for self-reflection and change.
The Ghost of Christmas Present also takes on a prophetic role, foretelling doom for mankind, including Scrooge, unless lessons of generosity and tolerance are learned. The warning is underscored by the presentation of two children named 'Ignorance' and 'Want' hiding under the ghost's cloak, symbolizing the consequences of societal indifference.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of the evidence presented in the article allows me to affirm the multifaceted nature of the Ghost of Christmas Present—a jolly and welcoming character, honest in its reflections, and prophetic in its warnings. This ghost serves as a catalyst for Scrooge's redemption, urging him to embrace the true spirit of Christmas and transform his miserly ways.
