GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT
A representation of Jesus Christ. A personification of Christmas. This ghost takes Scrooge on a journey to see how Christmas is really celebrated. He shows him the festive scenes of London and the private celebrations of the Cratchits and Fred. His forceful character doesn't allow Scrooge to turn down this invitations.
After showing Scrooge what he is missing in life and how others privately view him, this ghost has one final trick up his sleeve (or under his skirt). He reveals to Scrooge the two ragged children Ignorance and Want. A frightening reminder of the horrors man has created through allowing poverty and inequality.
PIVOTAL MOMENTS
-
His initial appearance and description
-
Taking Scrooge to see the Cratchit Christmas dinner and the condition of Tiny Tim
-
Showing Scrooge the Christmas dinner he declines every year at Fred's and what they think of him
-
Revealing the shocking characters of Ignorance and Want
PURPOSE
This ghost is Dickens' mouthpiece. He shows us the reality of London; a city with desperate inequality but enough for all. The descriptions of streets overflowing with food show us there is plenty. Yet we see through Tiny Tim and the child Want that some simply don't have access to enough to even survive.
The ghost also represents the Christmas spirit. He shows us sailors in a storm, lighthouse keepers, miners and the desperately impoverished Cratchits all enjoying Christmas. Perhaps the only day of the year where they can try to forget their daily struggles.
STRETCH VOCAB
Magisterial
Assertive
Foreboding
Reprimanding
Castigating
Benevolent
Omnipotent
Key Quotation Analysis
