Introduction
A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens, is a story that emphasizes the happiness that comes from being with other people. The author shows that this is the most satisfying experience, and being bitter and resentful tortures people. With the illustration of Ebenezer Scrooge, the writer aims to deliver the message that even the angriest people can have a chance to transform their lives and gain serenity and true happiness. In this story, the Christmas Past Ghost is the most important for Scrooge’s redemption because it lets Scrooge remember his vulnerable past self.
Going Back to Childhood
At first, the reader sees the main character as a cruel old man. According to the author, Scrooge’s soul reminded steel, and “no steel had ever struck out generous fire” (Dickens 2). However, everything starts to gradually change as the reader is introduced to the ghosts and different episodes from Scrooge’s life. Traveling to the past not only gave a chance to look at man’s past but uncover traumas of being lonely as a child. Dickens describes the first Ghost’s apparition as “distinct and clear as ever” in order to show memories with a youthful spirit (Dickens 21). The concept of happiness and time is what Dickens is attempting to promote in this part (Mahmoud 56). It can be seen that Ebenezer was not without a soul and that the Ghost uncovered the nostalgic episodes, emphasizing that Scrooge’s “lip is trembling” (Dickens 23). This is the first step for Scrooge to understand his true self.
Pains of Youth
The reader is exposed to different times of man’s past, going from his childhood to adulthood. The scene of Scrooge returning to the school, in which he is alone and has no company, illustrates the core that results in the transition: “A solitary child, neglected byhis friends, is left there still” (Dickens 24). However, the pain of Scrooge does not end with this episode, and the Ghost shows the hero the love of his life along with the heartbreak. The reason why Ebenezer has to go through these moments is to show that loneliness is the most painful feeling. The character even exclaims to the Ghost: “Why do you delight to torture me?” (Dickens 33). With this phrase, one can see that Scrooge truly regrets some of his decisions.
Symbol of Reminiscence
It can be said that the Christmas Past Ghost is a symbol of reminiscence in the narration. The ghost attempts to explain to Scrooge, even with trivial details, how he started to be spiteful by reliving memories from his past while serving as a reminder that he was not always that way (Lu 63). The role of the Ghost in this episode is to show the man that he still has a chance to become better if he can remember his true self and the person he used to be.
Conclusion
Hence, the Christmas Past Ghost is vital to Scrooge’s salvation because it allows him to remember his childhood memories and recognize his frail past self. The reader initially perceives the main character as a vindictive elderly man. However, when the reader is exposed to the ghosts and other incidents from Scrooge’s life, everything begins to alter progressively. Going back in the time provided an opportunity to examine Scrooge’s story and reveal wounds. The man is shown that he still has a chance to improve if he can recall his actual identity and the person he once was by the Ghost in this episode.
Works Cited
Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. Tauchnitz, 1846. Web.
Lu, Sijie. “Signaling the Intersection of Two Worlds and Dual Narrative Progression: The Functions of Chimes in A Christmas Carol.” Scientific and Social Research, vol. 4, no. 4, 2022, pp. 61-66. Web.
Mahmoud, Ihsan Mehdar. “Mysticism in ‘A Christmas Carol’By Charles Dickens.” Journal of Language Studies, vol. 1, no. 3, 2019, pp. 46-62. Web.