Symbolism In The Ghost Of Christmas Present

Alex DiVincentis
Mr. St George
Intro. To Lit and Comp. 9
1/4/16

The descriptions of the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and yet to come all represent Scrooge’s life and the choices he makes in his life. These choices that he makes are represented by three main themes. These themes are to not let your past effect your present life, wealth does not lead to happiness, and that our futures may be unclear, but what we do can affect them.
The Ghost of Christmas Past is a very important symbol in order to find out about Scrooge’s childhood. The Ghost of Christmas Past is described as a child, but also like an old man. Its hair was long and white with age, but its face had no wrinkles. Its arms were long and muscular and its hands seemed

This ghost is described to be a jolly giant with dark brown curly hair who wears a fur-lined, green robe and holly wreath with shining icicles on his head. All of these qualities represent what a life lived with family and friends looks like. Scrooge does not know what this life is like because he has chosen material wealth as a false sense of happiness. As a result, his life is now dark and gloomy because he is alone. In a vision that the ghost shows Scrooge he sees Bob Cratchit, who lives on a meager salary working for Scrooge, but is still happy because he is surrounded by family. The ghost is trying to show Scrooge that money is not the path to happiness. Scrooge never enjoys himself, which is clear when you look at his living conditions, which are dark and cold constantly. After this vision, Scrooge realizes that the Ghost of Christmas Present symbolizes happiness and unity found in togetherness. Bob Cratchit is poor, but doesn’t mind it because he is happy to have his family with him. This really changes Scrooge because in the book when he finds out that Bob Cratchit has a crippled son he asks the ghost, “Tell me if Tiny Tim will live.” (Dickens Stave 3 Pg. 34) This shows that Scrooge cares about the survival of Tiny Tim, which he did not

The description of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a tall, stately figure that is shrouded in a black garment that covers its face and the rest of its body. This figure was hard to discern from the night. Also, the Spirit neither spoke or moved. When the ghost showed Scrooge the vision of someone’s death and all their possessions being stolen by some very immoral people, Scrooge is in denial and thinks that that could never be him. But, he finally comes to the realization that it is him. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come’s description describes Scrooge’s dark future if he does not change his attitude. Scrooge realizes this when he says, “Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if preserved in, they must lead,” Said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change…” (Dickens Stave 4 Pg.50) Scrooge clearly wants to reform. We know this because he says, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present, and the future.” (Dickens Stave 4